Ainsley Maitland-Niles finds himself in a curious position: Wolves want him, the player looks ready to leave, yet he played in the recent friendly and Arteta says he likes him.
"Ainsley, he's a player that I've said since I joined that I really like. The best way to show that is that I have played him in the most important games of the season and he responded really well, so that's where we are with the player," Mikel told Arsenal's official website.
"I am always open to listening to what the player is feeling at every stage of their career and then I can give them my opinion of how I see them, what I expect from them and if we have the right understanding, then we have to move forward together. If there is something that doesn't work then we have to assess it with the player and the club and then find the right decision for both of them."
Wolves and Spurs are the two Premier League clubs that have been linked with Ains but it looks like the latter signed Matt Doherty from the former. This means Spurs are out of the race - and Wolves are now more desperate for a right-back.
Arsenal have rejected their original offer for the player (said to be below the Gunners' £20m valuation) and it's interesting to see where the sides go from there.
Niles started Arsenal's only pre-season game so far and might be handed another game on Saturday in the Community Shield. He has also been selected for the FA Cup semi-final and final, despite not being involved much in the league.
It's obvious that Arsenal need cash to secure players in other positions (like Partey and Aouar) and that Niles is one of the most 'sellable' assets, along with Matteo Guendouzi. Still, his possible exit doesn't sit right with us.
