Ainsley Maitland-Niles has mirrored on his resolution to depart Arsenal after spending 16 years on the membership.
Maitland-Niles is a product of the Arsenal youth system and went on to make 132 appearances for the membership throughout all competitions between 2014 and 2023, profitable FA Cup and Neighborhood Defend titles.
Nonetheless, Maitland-Niles was by no means actually in a position to set up himself as an everyday starter on the Emirates Stadium and following loans with West Brom, Roma and Southampton, joined Lyon upon the expiry of his Arsenal contract final summer time.
The 26-year-old performed 29 occasions throughout all competitions final season to assist Lyon climb from a relegation battle into sixth place in Ligue 1 whereas additionally reaching the Coupe de France ultimate — dropping 2-1 to PSG.
Maitland-Niles was again in London on Sunday as Lyon took on Arsenal within the Emirates Cup, with the Gunners profitable 2-0 because of objectives from centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.
Talking earlier than that match, Maitland-Niles recalled how leaving Arsenal when he did was the right resolution for his profession.
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— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 11, 2024
“I’m very mature in my thoughts and I perceive how soccer works,” Maitland-Niles instructed Arsenal’s official web site.
“Typically it’s time to let go of a membership that has been so pricey to you and also you had so a few years with. So it was extra of a means of attempting to maneuver on, each for my household and myself.
“Clearly my contract expired anyway, so I needed to discover one thing that was concrete and stable and I felt like Lyon was the most effective match.”
