‘I’d fine him’ – Jordan hits out at Arsenal outcast for demanding a move

Simon Jordan has hit out at Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, claiming that he should “do as he’s told” when it comes to his position at the club.

Maitland-Niles came through Arsenal’s academy and he made his senior debut during the 2014/15 term.

The 24-year-old has never quite been able to establish himself as a mainstay in their first team. The most Premier League games he has played in a single season was 20 during the 2019/20 campaign.

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The Englishman was in and out of the team last season before he joined West Brom on loan. He featured twelve times for the Baggies as they were relegated down the Championship.

Maitland-Niles rejoined the Arsenal first-team this summer but in the last few days, he has been linked with Everton. 

This led to the player posting an Instagram story on Monday which read: “All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play. @Arsenal.”

It was revealed on Tuesday morning that Arsenal had blocked his move to Everton and they had removed him from first-team training. 

Jordan has reacted to this news on talkSPORT. He suggested that if he was in charge at Arsenal, he would “fine” Maitland-Niles for his post on social media:

“What the player wants is the atypical scenario of ‘I want what I want when I want it and it suits me and it suits me only.

“They need to understand that they are the sum of a part and that part is a football club who they’re employees of and they need to do as they’re told.

“They’re not the football club, they’re not more important than Arsenal football club. He’s under contract, he does as he’s told!”

“Why isn’t he in Arsenal’s team? Because the team stinks right now, so he has to look at himself as the reason why he isn’t in Arsenal’s team.

“His performances last year at West Brom didn’t pull up any trees, and secondly you are a professional footballer.

“It’s not your gift to go out there and criticise, or make observations about the club you’re currently playing for, because that puts you in a position where you are at odds with the club.

“If it was me, I’d fine him. I’d fine him two weeks wages and say, ‘now you’re definitely staying.’”