Arsenal loanee Ainsley Maitland-Niles will leave the club on a free transfer this summer, he has confirmed, after Arsenal opted against triggering the one-year optional extension written into his contract.
The Englishman, who has spent the season on loan with Southampton, is out of contract this summer, and confirmed to the Athletic that it will be time to move on from the club which he has spent his life at so far.
“It’s been a great journey but it has come to an end now (at Arsenal). It’s time for a fresh start and to find a new home. I’m looking forward to that but, at the same time, my head’s not quite there yet and it’s all about what’s happening now with Southampton”.
(Photo by Arron Gent/News Images) 2KE49XW Ainsley Maitland-Niles #3 of Southampton during the Carabao Cup Third Round match Southampton vs Sheffield Wednesday at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton, United Kingdom, 9th November 2022
(Photo by Arron Gent/News Images) (Alamy Stock Photo)
“I’m just fully focused on trying to help us stay up and stay positive on a day-to-day basis and win games. When the time gets closer towards the end of the season, I’ll have something else to think about. But right now, I’m just focused on football and the task at hand.
Maitland-Niles has emerged as a firm favourite of Ruben Selles at Southampton, and though he was ineligible to take part in the 3-3 draw with his former club, he has racked up 18 Premier League appearances this season.
He has not ruled out staying on the south coast, either.
Having turned down a £15m offer from Wolves just over two years ago, Arsenal are set to lose the 25-year-old on a free transfer this summer, with his last Arsenal appearance having come as a substitute in their 4-0 hammering by Liverpool in November 2021.
He is not going to be the only man on the move this summer, with all of Nicolas Pepe, Pablo Mari, Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga all fellow loanees for whom life in north London looks bleak.
