Arsenal to release 10 players including Ainsley Maitland-Niles | OneFootball

Arsenal have decided to release as many as ten players when their contracts expire at the end of the month including Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The club announced that they would let the players go ahead of next season. They are reshuffling their squad as they prepare to challenge for the Premier League title again.

One of the prominent names on the list is Arsenal’s Swiss army knife Maitland-Niles. He has made over 130 appearances for the Arsenal first team but will leave after this month.

The 25-year-old has spent the last four seasons out on loan at different clubs.

The versatile star has gone on loan to Ipswich, AS Roma, West Bromwich Albion, and Southampton. But he has not been able to establish himself.

Maitland-Niles came through Arsenal’s academy before debuting in December 2014 as a 17-year-old. He established himself in the Arsenal first team.

However, he has ended his 19-year association with the club. He scored three goals and started the 2020 FA Cup final win against Chelsea.

Also, he played in the subsequent Community Shield win over Liverpool later that year. He converted a penalty in the shootout.

After the announcement, Maintland-Niles said (via AFC’s website): “Words can’t describe how I am feeling, to be honest. It has been a very emotional journey.

“Having supported the club growing up and coming through the ranks, I can only be happy with what I’ve achieved since I’ve been here.

“I’ve seen a lot of players come and go and played with a lot of fantastic players throughout my time here.

“Unfortunately, it has to come to an end, but I’ve been happy every single moment I have been here to play and work for this club.”

Apart from Maitland-Niles, Zach Awe, Joel Ideho, George Lewis, Matt Smith, Tom Smith, Kaleel Green, Alexandar Kovacevic, Tino Quamina, and Mathaeus Roberts will also leave the club.

In addition, the women’s team has released Mana Iwabuchi, Rafaelle Souza, and Fran Stenson.