Arsenal’s versatile midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles scored an ice-cold penalty during Saturday’s Community Shield win against Liverpool, but that wasn’t his first nonchalant-finish from the spot.
The 23-year-old stole the headlines last weekend after his impressive performance against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
He was previously linked with a move away from the Emirates, with Wolves reportedly interested in his services, but now it appears Mike Arteta’s side is considering offering the academy graduate a new deal at the Emirates.
Birthday boy. Man of the match. Wembley winner.
How can today get any better for @MaitlandNiles?! 🥳#CommunityShield pic.twitter.com/XZvvuI85Sb
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 29, 2020
It is a deserved reward for his fine form of late. Maitland-Niles seems to perform when the stakes are high, with his incredible penalty-taking ability a fine example of the midfielder’s cool, calm, and collected nature.
He converted from the spot with a ridiculously-cool finish in front of The Kop during a classic Carabao Cup quarter-final in October and slotted away a number of quality kicks in pre-season.
Check out a compilation of all those pens posted by Twitter user @mikelaafc. The definition of cool.
Look at this guy 😭 pic.twitter.com/OhLkNYAc6v
— B (@mikelaafc) August 31, 2020
Maitland-Niles’ future at Arsenal remains up in the air, despite reports of contract talks.