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Arteta has great opportunity to unleash Arsenal talent who’s as fast as Auba v Leeds – TBR View

Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte

Arsenal have had a rollercoaster of a Premier League season so far, but they now have a good chance of reaching the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are in good form going into the fourth-round clash against Leeds at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are unbeaten in seven games in all competitions, and ran out 3-1 winners over Aston Villa in their last match.

Arsenal v Aston Villa - Premier League
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Arteta is likely to ring the changes, and there are plenty of good fringe players who’ll be eager to stake a claim for a spot in the league XI.

One of those is Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is likely to come in for either Thomas Partey or Albert Sambi Lokonga.

The 24-year-old has struggled for game time under Arteta and reportedly had a loan switch to Everton blocked on transfer deadline day.

He subsequently on his Instagram which said: “All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play.”

Arteta subsequently held clear-the-air talks with Maitland-Niles, and he stayed put at Arsenal.

West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal - Carabao Cup Second Round
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Arsenal have a “Rolls Royce” in their ranks – can he win Arteta over?

Although Maitland-Niles has been playing in midfield this term – his preferred role – he’s still spent a lot of time on the bench.

He has made one start in the league this term, but a good performance against Marcelo Bielsa’s side would certainly give Arteta food for thought in terms of top-flight starts.

Maitland-Niles is a quality player – Peter Crouch has previously him “tremendous” and “fantastic”, while Martin Keown has him a “Rolls Royce”.

Portsmouth FC v Arsenal FC - FA Cup Fifth Round
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Last year, Stuart Pearce said: “I’m a big fan of Maitland-Niles.

“I saw him last season against Wolves and he was up against the big lad Adama Traore. He was brilliant and coped really well up against him.

“For me, he’ll be integral to any success Arsenal have this season.”

And earlier this month, Albert Sambi Lokonga “really fast” – on a par with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Maitland-Niles boasts plenty of great qualities – talent, speed, versatility – and hopefully he’ll get a chance to impress Arteta tonight.