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Three years ago Ainsley Maitland-Niles was Arsenal’s second-youngest player to make a Champions League appearance behind Jack Wilshere. Still fighting for a consistent place in Arsene Wenger’s side, he went for a bold strategy to request more playing time during training on Wednesday. Maitland-Niles nutmegged Wenger.
outrageous from you, @Ains_7 pic.twitter.com/X62DrkV5yJ
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) November 1, 2017
What audacity from the 20-year-old! All the other Arsenal players were super serious about their important training of kicking the ball while standing around in a circle, but here’s this impudent youngster who goes and pulls a prank by sliding the ball through Wenger’s legs. The real question here is if the England youth international paid off Alexandre Lacazette to distract their 68-year-old manager.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Photo: @Fresh_Arsenal | Twitter
The real star of this clip is Mesut Ozil. While many have questioned his commitment to Arsenal with a contract set to expire after this season, his efforts to stop the ball from nutmegging Wenger were extremely admirable. He nearly moved both his feet, which for him is equivalent of imitating Paolo Maldini in defense.
Arsenal is preparing for a home Europa League match against Red Star Belgrade on Thursday and it’s clear the team is feeling the pressure of the big-time European competition.
The Gunners have won every match thus far in the Europa League and are among the favorites to win it all, at least until Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund parachute into the competition and hand Arsenal yet another Round of 16 loss in Europe.
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