Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles says his “heart is in the club” after a man-of-the-match display helped the Gunners win the Community Shield.
The versatile 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League rivals Wolves, but was superb against Premier League champions Liverpool as Arsenal triumphed on penalties after the game had finished 1-1 in normal time.
Maitland-Niles joined Arsenal’s academy as a six-year-old, and when asked whether his association with the club might be coming to an end, told BT Sport: “I’m an Arsenal player until I’m told otherwise. My heart’s in the club and while I’m here I’m going to give 100 per cent all the time, so that’s that.”
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was once again Arsenal’s hero, opening the scoring with a brilliant curling effort early in the first half, and then converting the winning penalty after Takumi Minamino’s second-half strike had forced a shootout.
The Gabonese forward, who has less than a year left to run on his current Arsenal contract, is expected to sign a new deal in the coming weeks, but was non-committal over his future at full-time.
“We’re going to see these days,” he said. “Today we just take the trophy home.”
The win was particularly special for Maitland-Niles, who also coolly converted his penalty, as the traditional season curtain-raiser fell on his birthday.
“It was a special moment, the first time I’ve ever played on my birthday,” he added.
“Playing at Wembley and fighting for another cup for the club.
"We brought it home today and it’s a fantastic feeling that this group of boys have proved something last season and are keeping it going until this season.”