Arsenal lost 2-1 to Barcelona in their last Pre Season friendly match on Sunday. The Gunners went ahead in the first half through a Pierre Aubameyang rocket but conceded twice in the second half as Luis Suarez got a late winner for the Catalans.
Unai Emery’s side put in a strong performance overall but the turning point came after make-shift right back Ainsley Maitland Niles comically put the ball into his own net to gift Barcelona the equalizer against the run of play.
The Arsenal academy graduate has been filing in at right-back since the first choice Hector Belerin injured himself in a Premier League encounter against Chelsea in January. He had been playing well prior to his own goal but that unfortunate incident sparked a heated conversation amongst Arsenal fans.
Maitland Niles and Mustafi should never play in defence for Arsenal
— INVINCEARSENAL (@INVINCEARSENAL) August 4, 2019
The sooner Maitland Niles stops playing at right back the better.
Love the kid but he needs to grow in midfield or on the wing.
— James (@JECook96) August 4, 2019
Ainsley Maitland-Niles finishing off a well worked passing move after a through ball from Suarez, but why is he wearing a different Jersey, seems off to me tho 🙄 #BarcaArsenal pic.twitter.com/n3TWKDLaUK
— Stealth (@mo_xodeeq) August 5, 2019
If I see Maitland Niles right back against Newcastle I’m gonna vomit. #afc
— Andre Fahey 🔴⚪️ (@AFahey_Official) August 4, 2019
Honestly don’t know what Maitland-Niles smoked tonight but he and Mustafi have got to go forgossake.
— E. (@IAmB_C) August 4, 2019
Some, however, defended the youngster…
I'm seeing so much Maitland Niles slander and I have to bite my tongue. I don't care if I'm bias at this point cos I will back him regardless and want him to prosper. He's one of the players that I really want to make it big time and I still have faith that he will
— Kenshiro, Fifth Emperor of The South (@SolaceExcursion) August 4, 2019
Please I beg arsenal fans not to turn on Maitland Niles
People forget he’s being played out of position as he is naturally a central midfielder
He has put in top performances consistently last season dont turn on him after one concentration lapse#afc #arsenal
— Arsenal the Invincibles (@AFCTransfers8) August 4, 2019
Cannot believe that there are people criticising Ainsley Maitland-Niles. WTF! He is a class prospect being played out of position in a defence that is absolutely shite! You would think that Wenger was still in place!
— 21st Century Boy (@21stCentBoy67) August 4, 2019
Arsenal’s pre-season fixtures are now over and the Gunners are preparing for their first Premier League fixture of the 2019/2020 season with a trip to Newcastle on Sunday. Unai Emery is likely to be without club-record signing Nicholas Pepe who is still short on fitness following his exploits with the Ivory Coast in the Africa Cup Of Nations Tournament.
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