Ainsley Cory Maitland-Niles

Ainsley Cory Maitland-Niles is an English midfielder whose career has combined central midfield with wide and defensive duties. Born in London, he joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at six and developed initially as a winger. He signed his first professional contract in October 2014, then made his Arsenal senior debut against Galatasaray in the Champions League two months later. A 2015–16 loan at Ipswich Town gave him regular senior football. From 2017 to 2020, Maitland-Niles became a versatile Arsenal first-team player, often operating as a wing-back while retaining his midfield instincts. He started the 2020 FA Cup final as a left wing-back and helped Arsenal secure the trophy. Later loans took him to West Bromwich Albion, AS Roma and Southampton, with Roma winning the UEFA Conference League. In August 2023, he joined Lyon on a free transfer, continuing to bring positional flexibility and composed ball use to his midfield work.

Xtra rating

1805

Global rank

334

Updated: 12 September 2026

Country of Birth

England

Preferred Foot

Right-footed

Agent

N/A

Latest Signing Fee

€5.00m

Date of Birth

29 August 1997

Position

Midfielder

Shoes

Nike Phantom VNM

Wage

£45,000 per week

Season snapshot

Overall season statistics (all competitions).

Season	Matches	Minutes	Goals	Assists	G/90	A/90
2026	6	409	2	1	0.44	0.22
2025	40	3112	2	4	0.06	0.12
2024	44	3036	1	7	0.03	0.21
2023	29	1797	2	4	0.1	0.2
2022	26	1692	0	0	0	0
2021	23	1134	0	1	0	0.08
2020	39	2487	0	1	0	0.04
2019	32	2058	1	2	0.04	0.09
2018	29	2060	2	3	0.09	0.13
2017	21	1448	0	0	0	0
2016	4	196	0	0	0	0
2015	25	1366	1	1	0.07	0.07
2014	9	696	0	0	0	0
2013	8	686	0	0	0	0