Arsenal release TEN players with fans devastated to see boyhood star who joined club when he was just six leave
ARSENAL have released ten players including boyhood star Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The versatile player had been on the Gunners books for 20 years, first signing for the club as a six-year-old.
Maitland-Niles went on to play 132 times for the club in total.
He also had loan spells at Ipswich, West Brom, Roma and most recently Southampton.
The 25-year-old will now be on the lookout for a new club as a free agent.
Fans were devastated to see one of their own leave after his lengthy time in North London, one said: “I’ll miss the vibes & penalties.”
Another added: “Good luck to all and especially AMN.”
More reacted: “It feels like there could have been a future at Arsenal for him but it didn’t quite work out as hoped. Good luck to him.”
Others felt his goodbye was underwhelming: “Deserves more of a send off than just being named amongst a list of scholars and academy/women’s players.”
Also leaving the Emirates this summer are youngsters Zach Awe, Joel Ideho, George Lewis, Matt Smith and Tom Smith.
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Women’s players Mana Iwabuchi, Rafaelle Souza and Fran Stenson also depart.
Scholars Kaleel Green, Alexandar Kovacevic, Tino Quamina and Mathaeus Roberts are let go too.
The club also confirmed that negotiations with Reiss Nelson are ongoing over a new contract with his deal up this summer.
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