Ainsley Maitland-Niles played a key role in our opening-day Premier League win at Newcastle United on Sunday.
With a tight game goalless just before the hour mark, our right back intercepted a loose pass on halfway, before charging forward and providing Pierre-Emreick Aubameyang with a fine assist to score the game’s only goal.
After the match, Ainsley discussed the winning moment when speaking to the media. Here’s what he said:
on how pleasing it was to start with a win away…
It’s a hard match against Newcastle, especially away. They’re a team that can mix it up - they can play nice football and play long balls. It’s just a fight until the last whistle.
on if he was surprised to see Aubameyang in so much space for the winner…
On a big pitch like this, you can get tired, and I guess that’s what happened with their defence. It was a big opportunity for me to give it t him, I executed it well and his finish won us the game.
on knowing Auba would score…
Yeah, I expect him to score. Him, Lacazette, Nico Pepe, Mkhitaryan - we’ve got good players that can score. We’re never in doubt when people are through on goal.
on if the new signings can lift the club to another level…
Yeah, of course. We were very close to getting in the top four last season. We missed out by one point and this season we’re hoping to rebuild ourselves and fight until the last day of the season.
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