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Some Arsenal fans want 22-year-old to start FA Cup final, fear ‘disaster’ otherwise
A number of Arsenal fans have urged the Gunners to start Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the FA Cup final ahead of Hector Bellerin.
The 22-year-old came through the ranks at Arsenal and has made for the Gunners, including .
Maitland-Niles made his first-team breakthrough under Arsene Wenger and though he emerged in the academy as a midfielder, he’s mainly been used as a right-back.
He got plenty of game time under Unai Emery but his first-team minutes dried up under Mikel Arteta this year after Bellerin returned from injury.
The Spanish right-back was left out of the squad in the Premier League finale against Watford as a precaution due to tightness in his right calf, and Arteta picked Maitland-Niles ahead of Cedric Soares.
Bellerin has now resumed training with the squad and, as the first-choice right-back looks likely to start against Chelsea on Saturday, with Maitland-Niles potentially having to make do with a spot on the bench.
However, some Arsenal fans would rather see their homegrown talent take to the Wembley pitch from the start, and made their feelings known on social media:
glad to hear that hector’s recovering well, but i’d still rather ainsley starting on saturday
— arturo gm (@arturomx14)
I’d rather Ainsley tbh Hector has not been good enough
— Alexandra (@Alexand82614699)
still start AMN he’s our best rb
— chrollo? (@Jaz1up)
Anyway we want AMN at the RB.
— 〽️™️AFCMOMO (@MohamedkerM)
Maitland-Niles, since he has proved he’s been able to handle explosive and skillful wingers.
Pulisic will be a big threat and Ainsley can handle him.
— The Arsenal Review (@thearsreview)
Ainsley, turns up more for us especially in important games. Pocketed Mahrez nicely.
— Fribbo? (@xFribbo)
AMN without a blink
— Berry Of Camelot?? (@Berry16_)
AMN should not be a debate
— ch3 (@afcchrlie)
amn, bellerin against pulisic is a disaster
— sosa (@ekesawulo)