Ainsley Maitland-Niles is another example of Arsenal's Hale End Academy producing some fine footballers. Currenlty in north London, Mikel Arteta has the youth system to thank as he regularly benefits from the quality of Bukayo Saka, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
Before those familiar names broke into the first team, Maitland-Niles was part of a generation of talented young Gunners who made the step up from youth football to senior action. Emerging at a similar time as the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson, the trio may not quite have had the same superstar potential as Saka, Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri, but they each look set for respectable careers at a high level.
Maitland-Niles actually started the FA Cup final in 2020 (ahead of Bukayo Saka at left-wingback) – helping Arteta win his only major trophy as manager – but that was his peak in an Arsenal shirt. He spent time on loan at West Brom, Roma and Southampton before eventually leaving on a free when his contract expired in 2023. He ended up at Lyon as has really started to find himself in recent times.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles Has Initial Struggles In France
Finds form after settling as a fullback
It was often claimed that Maitland-Niles saw himself as a winger or a central midfielder, but was played as a wing-back for Arsenal. Some even suggested this is why he eventually left. When he arrived in France, his first appearances where in his preferred midfield roles.
However, perhaps Arteta knew best as the Englishman struggled to impress in more attack-minded positions and only truly nailed down a spot in the team in early 2024 when he was asked to play as a right-back, sometimes helping out on the left as well. His form improved and he even made headlines when he scored a spot kick in the 106th minute that saw Lyon overcome Brest 4-3 in Ligue 1 in a dramatic league match.
He finished the campaign with two goals and four assists across 29 outings in all competitions as Lyon finished 6th in Ligue 1. He also came off the bench in the Coupe de France final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking about his development in his first campaign with the club, he told Arsenal.com:
"It was a slow start to the season but eventually, around Christmas time, we picked up some form. I started to get a run of games under my belt as well, so yeah it definitely feels like home to me."
Fortunately, he had modern Lyon icon and former Arsenal teammate Alexandre Lacazette around to help him settle in. He said: "Yeah, it was nice to have Laca here, and he really helped me settle in. Seeing a familiar face always makes it easier for you, so that was nice from him."
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Ainsley Maitland-Niles Finds Form at Lyon
Second season has been much improved after slow start in France
Ainsley Maitland-Niles stats at Lyon
Across his second season in France, he has looked much more settled. As noted by French media outlet GetFootballNewsFrance in December 2024: "Initially, after swapping London for Lyon, Ainsley Maitland-Niles didn’t look quite at home in France. The language barrier, being away from family, and competition for regular minutes appeared to create a perfect storm as the versatile Englishman struggled to adapt to life in Ligue 1. However, in 2024, the former Arsenal defender appears to be right at home under the management of Pierre Sage"
Journalist Liam Wraith added: "After a string of consistent performances at the back end of last season, the former England international has continued in a similar vein this term. Down the right flank, he has formed a good understanding with Rayan Cherki. As the playmaker likes to drift inside with the ball, this allows the right back to push on and pick up more advanced positions with overlapping runs. Maitland-Niles can often be seen joining attacks as an extra man despite being a defender. Increased attacking duties have proved fruitful with the former Southampton loanee scoring a goal and assisting a further four in 21 appearances across all competitions."
As of April 2025, he has cemented his status as a key man, starting in all but two Europa League games so far, with Lyon into the quarter-finals of the competitions – they will come up against Manchester United in the next round.
His form has been so good, in fact, earlier on in the same French football writer Matt Spiro claimed Maitland-Niles could be in with a shout of adding to his five England caps. He wrote:
"Angel Gomes has shown it’s possible to get England recognition whilst playing in Ligue 1. Ainsley Maitland-Niles should now be in the conversation. Playing the best football of his career with Lyon, and a key man in Pierre Sage’s team."
It was a bold move for the Englishman to leave the Premier League and play in a new country, but his risk looks to be paying off. If he can continue his good form, and catch the eye against Man United in the Europa League, he may well be an option for Thomas Tuchel to consider with the 2026 World Cup steadilng approaching on the horizon.
Stats via SofaScore and Transfermarkt - as of 01/04/25