A debut under legendary manager Arsene Wenger, a Europa League final start under Unai Emery in 2019, winning the FA Cup with Mikel Arteta in 2020 and winning five England caps all rank among the major landmarks in Maitland-Niles’ journey.
“I’m still an Arsenal fan, I watch most of our games and I lived a boyhood dream by winning an FA Cup final at Wembley for the club. [That] was the pinnacle. I supported Arsenal since I was six. I wish them well,” he adds.
But the FA Cup under Arteta, who he regards as a “tactical genius in Pep Guardiola’s mould”, is the last trophy Arsenal have won.
“[Arteta] really studied how Pep took football to new heights as one of the best managers in the world,” he says. “He really studied how to break down teams and be most effective in games.
“Arsenal are showing that at this point, not coming close enough to win the league but you can see they are making big improvements by going close two years in a row.”
On his relationship with Arteta, the defender adds: “I wouldn’t say there was anything special there. I had respect for him as a manager, I thought he was a tactical genius but it was an average player-manager relationship, not especially close.”
Maitland-Niles also admits it is “frustrating” the club has not followed up that FA Cup success but gives his backing to Arteta, while adding star attacker Saka needs support.
“I think they now rely on him a bit too much and you can’t expect so much from such a young player,” he says.
“He hasn’t even hit his prime yet. But I think he is the driving force of the team and they miss a bit of attacking threat when he is not playing.
“Bukayo has become one of the world’s best wingers, very consistent, knows how to kill off a game and he can pick his moment in a genius way.”
Attacker Ethan Nwaneri, 18, is having his breakthrough this season and could be one option to help Saka.
“Physically, he is absolutely incredible and there is no fear in the kid,” continues Maitland-Niles.
“He is just going at people and trying to make things happen. You can see he is trying to become a leader very early in that team. He is trying to cement his place which is difficult as he plays in the same positions as [Martin] Odegaard and Saka.
“But he has got the ability to do so as well. He has the world at his feet and he just needs to take his chance.”
Another landmark for Maitland-Niles was winning the Conference League under Mourinho during a successful six-month loan stint at Roma.
“He is a really funny guy,” says Maitland-Niles. “The stories Jose gave us about his previous dressing rooms and how he has won cup finals and loads of different leagues – that is an experience you can take something from.
“There are a lot of players that would say they love him or hate him. But he is a great guy and what you see is what you get.”
