Arsenal: Ainsley Maitland-Niles frustrated at lack of playing time

Arsenal will be under pressure to sell Ainsley Maitland-Niles next month amid growing frustration from the midfielder over his lack of playing time under Mikel Arteta.

Sportsmail understands that the England international is irritated at his peripheral role at the Emirates this season having been told he would have the opportunity to play more minutes having made clear his intention to leave the club in the summer in search of regular football.

Maitland-Niles and Arteta held heart-to-heart talks during the closing stages of the summer transfer window during which the utility player was told he would have the chance to play more often as the club rebuffed approaches from Everton.

Since then the 24-year-old has made just two Premier League starts. From his six top-flight substitute appearances since the transfer window closed, only one has seen him introduced before the 70-minute mark.

And there is a feeling that the club kept Maitland-Niles at the club in the summer under false pretences.

With that in mind Maitland-Niles' future is set to come under scrutiny again when the January transfer opens in three weeks' time, with the player eager to play regularly.

Maitland-Niles has just 18 months left to run on his current deal at Arsenal, meaning the club are approaching the period when losing a player, that was valued in-excess of £30million less than 18 months ago, for nothing is becoming a realistic opportunity.

That could finally force Arsenal into selling Maitland-Niles next month as they look to avoid the scenario of losing him on a free transfer.

Everton have a long-term interest in Maitland-Niles, but it remains to be seen if the intention to land the versatile midfielder is as strong following the departure of director of football Marcel Brands.

Newcastle are also monitoring Maitland-Niles' situation heading into the first transfer window under Saudi ownership.