"It's time to move on" - Ainsley Maitland-Niles reveals He won't return to Arsenal after his loan spell at Southampton

It appears that Ainsley Maitland Niles has no plan to return to the Emirates stadium once his loan deal with Southampton expires. 

The English international happens to be one of the players whom Mikel Arteta released on season loan in order to lighten the squad. 

Ainsley Maitland-Niles, an Arsenal midfielder, has announced that he will quit the team at the conclusion of the current campaign.

It's understood that Maitland-Niles is Currently on loan at Premier League club Southampton.

He has also been struggling to find first team shirt due to competition from Kyle Walker Peters at the right back position. 

Despite the possibility of St. Mary's being demoted this season, the 25-year-old is open to remaining there.

"It has been a great journey, but it has come to an end now [at Arsenal],” Maitland-Niles told The Athletic.

“It is time for a fresh start and to find a new home. I am looking forward to that, but at the same time, my head is not quite there yet, and it is all about what is happening now with Southampton.”

Maitland-Niles is instead planning to leave Arsenal after almost 20 years at Emirates.

 

Maitland-Niles is instead planning to leave Arsenal after almost 20 years at Emirates.

 

In his statement, he described Southampton "as a great club" which has been suggested that he would make the move permanent. 

He added: “Southampton is a great club to be at and progress and get some minutes under my belt. Of course, if they were to make an offer, I would be more than happy to stay.”