Mikel Arteta has sent a message of support to Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles ahead of the Gunners' clash against Southampton this weekend.
Maitland-Niles will be ineligible to face his parent club at St. Mary's Stadium on Sunday afternoon due to his loan agreement but the 25-year-old has been limited to just 246 minutes of game time for the Saints so far this season. The versatile midfielder fell down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium following Arteta's arrival, resulting in Maitland-Niles heading out on loan spells with West Brom and Roma.
The Gunners vice-captain Granit Xhaka has shown that it is possible to become a key player under Arteta when a player's future at the club had previously appeared to be in doubt, which may be something Maitland-Niles looks to learn from. The Arsenal boss is keen for the 25-year-old to become a regular starter for Ralph Hassenhuttl's side before his future in north London can be discussed, however.
