Ainsley Maitland-Niles set to start for Arsenal against Reading in EFL Cup

Image: The Independent


Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set to receive his second start of the season when Arsenal host Reading in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night. 

The 19-year-old impressed at right-back in the victory over Nottingham Forest in the previous round, but, with Carl Jenkinson back in the fold, Maitland-Niles could be deployed in central-midfield against Reading. 

Maitland-Niles, who was on the bench for the Premier League game against Middlesbrough yesterday, is poised to add to his four senior appearances for the Gunners. 

Manager Arsene Wenger is set to make several alterations to his team for the Reading game, with Gabriel, Rob Holding, Kieran Gibbs, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lucas Perez and, depending on his fitness, Olivier Giroud, amongst those pushing for starts. 

Some talented youngsters, including Krystian Bielik, Gedion Zelalem and Chris Willock are likely to be named amongst the substitutes. 

3 comments

  1. Hope to see CJ play at RB and AMN in midfield. Think Elneny should start, despite starting for the first team.
    Martinez, CJ, Holding, Gabriel, Gibbs, Elneny, AMN, Ox, JRA, Lucas, Giroud is what I would go for – depending on fitness of course.

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