Ainsley Maitland-Niles has praised Mikel Arteta for what the Arsenal manager has accomplished this season as the Gunners sit top of the Premier League table.

Speaking to the Sun, the on-loan Southampton star waxed lyrical about the north London boss despite Maitland-Niles not being a part of Arteta’s plans, with the versatile Hale End academy graduate only appearing a handful of times under the Basque manager.

The midfielder played a key role in Arteta’s FA Cup win in 2020, however, the 25-year-old has since found himself surplus to requirements at Arsenal, with Maitland-Niles currently out in his third loan spell since the former Manchester City coach’s return to the club.

Maitland-Niles lauds Arteta amid Arsenal’s historic run

Despite a lack of minutes under Arteta, even Maitland-Niles has been left amazed with what the young manager has done at Arsenal this season, with the Gunners currently eight points clear at the top of the Premier League and firmly in the driving seat for a first title in nearly 20 years.

Maitland Niles said on Arteta: “The way he lives and breathes football and looks at the game is second to none, like Arteta. Maybe that’s the Spanish mentality, the love of football they have. He’s a very straightforward person. He tells you what he wants and needs.

The five-time England international added: “From day one, he said, ‘This is the way we are going to move forward. This is what I want everyone to do’. Everyone has jumped on board and is happy to do ten times what he is asking for. You can see that in recent performances.”

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