Arsenal player lauded for putting a transfer request

Ainsley Maitland-Niles praised for seeking out his Arsenal move.

The 23-year old full-back joined West Brom on loan until the end of the season.

Maitland-Niles has always seen himself as a central midfielder but he was hardly used in that position at Arsenal.

Getting a midfield spot at West Brom also guarantees more playing time for the 23-year-old.

Former Spurs goalkeeper Paul Robinson is impressed on how Maitland-Niles seeked out his move away from the North London club.

“I think fair play to him for going to West Brom. He had a number of places where he could have gone but he wanted to play in midfield. He’s not afraid of a challenging move,” Robinson told Football Insider.

“He’s obviously spoken to Big Sam and he’s told him he’s going to play in midfield where he wants to play.

“He hasn’t shirked going into a relegation battle with a team who are playing poorly around him.

“He showed good energy against Tottenham. There were sparks of what West Brom had in him going forward. You quite often saw him in the box and his forward movement was good.

“So I think he’ll be a good signing for them. He’s definitely better than what they would have had between now and the end of the season.

“I don’t think he’ll stay there should they go down, but he’s certainly putting himself in the shop window.”

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