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Compilation Shows Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles Is Football's Coolest Penalty Taker

Compilation Shows Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles Is Football's Coolest Penalty Taker

The Arsenal player might not have taken a competitive spot kick for the Gunners yet but he's got an incredible technique from 12 yards.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has never taken a penalty outside of a shootout for Arsenal but a compilation of his attempts from 12 yards show he won't be afraid to step up at any time.

Maitland-Niles, who wanted to leave the Gunners back in the summer but was blocked from leaving, has previously struggled to break into the first team on a consistent basis.

However the versatille Englishman has had his chances at times and has three times stepped up to score penalties in shoot outs for the North Londoners against Liverpool.

One came in a Carabao Cup quarter final in 2019, he did it again in the Community Shield in 2020, and again in the League Cup a month later and he couldn't have looked colder doing it.

A video of the 24-year-old's attempts, at those matches and in friendlies, has gone viral because of just how cold Maitland-Niles is with his efforts.

Whilst the former West Brom loanee's technique delight fans, Mikel Arteta isn't exactly that happy with how the player steps up to take a spot kick.

Following the Carabao Cup game in 2020, the Arsenal boss said, "I told him in the dressing room that I'm going to have a heart attack because with his body language... Jesus Christ.

"He puts it in the net which is the reason why he was one of the subs."

After having a transfer blocked in the summer, Maitland-Niles has played eight games in the Premier League so far this campaign.

He has only started two of those, though he has also played in three games in the Carabao Cup, getting one assist, as Arteta's side have once again reached the quarters.

Whilst Maitland-Niles was not allowed to leave the Emirates, one Arsenal midfielder who could soon be on the move is Egyptian Mohamed Elneny.

Elneny has effectively been told by Edu that he can leave on a free in January, although he will also be busy at the African Cup of Nations.

The London side have been linked with a move for Donny van de Beek from Manchester United but a change of management might see the Dutchman become a more prominent member of the team.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Ainsley Maitland Niles