Sol Campbell criticises Arsenal for Ainsley Maitland-Niles treatment

Arsenal legend Sol Campbell has questioned the club’s treatment of Ainsley Maitland-Niles after blocked Everton move.

In a recent interview with Talksport, Sol Campbell has voiced his thoughts on Arsenal’s business in the transfer market. The former striker has also openly criticised the club’s treatment of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

Arsenal have become one of the most maligned clubs in world football right now after years of disappointing since the departure of Arsene Wenger. That mediocrity has reached new heights new season, with the club kickstarting their Premier League campaign with three defeats in a row.

It has seen them languish at the rock bottom of the Premier League table. It has understandably dishearted a slew of former players and legends and current Southend manager Sol Campbell is certainly one of them.

Metro has recently published bits of his interview with Talksport, where the former defender has indirectly questioned the club’s transfer policy. At the same time, he has offered his thoughts on the situation of Maitland-Niles, suggesting the Englishman has been unjustly treated by the club.

Embed from Getty Images

“I think when you’re a young man and you’re desperate to play, I get that feeling. I get that feeling that you have pride in your performances and you want to have the opportunity to play week-in, week-out”, said Campbell.

“But Arsenal are looking at the fact they need the squad: ‘We can’t let people go because what happens if we have a few injuries!’ From a selfish point of view, player-wise, not going to Everton – which would have been a fantastic move for him – obviously he’s going to feel really disheartened because he wants to play, he wants the opportunity to play,” he added.

Maitland-Niles, who was keen on joining Everton, came under fire recently after reacting to the blocked move to Goodison Park by posting a story on his Instagram account. He is yet to address the situation publicly. But it is apparent that the versatile Englishman has the backing of club legend Campbell, who went on to further comment on Arsenal’s transfer policy, urging them to sign players with better quality.

“I’d rather take two transfers – money and wages – and buy a ready-to-go player and then you can pad it out with some other potentials as well. I’d much prefer that type of way and build up over the next two or three years,” Campbell told Talksport.

“Every year buy those kind of signature players that can give you that instant success… instant success? Well maybe proven and they’re more likely going to work out. Sometimes you need to join two transfer fees and the money to sign those [signature] players. They should look at that and balance it out with potential,” he added.

Arsenal do indeed have a strong bunch of attacking talents but very few leaders on the pitch. So Campbell’s comments certainly have a sense of truth to them and it will be interesting to see how much the Gunners’ approach in the market changes if their struggles continue throughout the first half of the campaign.

Mikel Arteta’s men are next set to face Norwich City, when the Premier League resumes, next Saturday, after the international break.