Deadline Day Deal: Ainsley Maitland-Niles joins West Brom on Loan

West Bromwich Albion have completed a loan move for Ainsley Maitland-Niles after finding an agreement with Arsenal and handing him his preferred position.

Following initial interest from Leicester City, Newcastle, and Southampton, it seems as though Arsenal have decided on West Brom Albion as being the best place for Ainsley Maitland-Niles to earn significant playing time in midfield for the rest of the season.

"Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles has joined West Bromwich Albion on loan for the remainder of the season.West Brom, Leicester and Southampton all held talks with Arsenal in the hope a last-minute loan deal could be agreed before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday.But West Brom secured a loan deal until the end of the season for the England international, who underwent a medical on Monday (Via: Sky Sports)More from ArsenalArsenal injury news: Mikel Arteta confirms “rapid” attacker suffered injuryArsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta rivals Manchester United for wonderkidArsenal predicted lineup vs PSV: Mikel Arteta to drop “Henry-esque” wingerAlan Shearer blasts “slow” Arsenal player – Should Mikel Arteta drop him?“Beast” Arsenal fans have noticed the GREAT form of fringe midfielder"

Looking to help his chances at making a spot in England’s European Championship squad, the English international met with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Monday looking to try and get a Deadline Day loan deal over the line.

During their meeting, Arteta and technical director Edu made it clear to the player that they were willing to let him leave.

However, they did not want to see their player helping a top-six rival (Leicester and Southampton) down the stretch of the season, with Leicester being the player’s preferred destination at that point.

Niles wanted a club that would give him minutes in a midfield role and not at right-back, with midfield being a position he is seen to be more effective in.

Originally, West Brom manager Sam Allardyce believed his club would be able to complete a move for the hybrid midfielder last week, but when that information got out to the press he thought the chance was dead in the water as other clubs began to inquire.

Ainsley’s time at Arsenal has been a frustrating one as he is seen as a rising talent but has not been able to nail down a regular starting spot with Partey, Xhaka, Smith-Rowe, Odegaard, Saka, Elneny, and Ceballos all ahead of him in the midfield pecking order.

Likewise, even at fullback, he has struggled to replace Bellerin and Cedric, with the latter thriving this season since his move from Southampton.

At the end of last season, he was thought to finally get his move to Wolves but after promising performances for Arsenal and England, the Gunners decided to hold onto him with a view of more playing time.

Since that time, Arteta has not really given him any time on the pitch beyond Europa League and Cup ties, with the emergence of other players in the squad and the recent incoming of Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid.

It remains to be seen if Arsenal will keep Maitland-Niles after his loan deal expires, but giving the player much needed minutes will only benefit both parties in the near future.