A debut under the legendary manager Arsene Wenger, a final of the Europa League in 2019, won the FA Cup with Mikel Areteta in 2020 and the winning of five English caps are all most important on the journey of Maitland-Niles.

“I’m still an Arsenal fan, I watch most of our games and have a youth room by winning a FA Cup final in Wembley for the club.

But the FA Cup under Arteta, which he sees as a “tactical genius in Pep Guardiola’s form”, is the last trophy that Arsenal has won.

“(Arteta) really examined how Pep was one of the best managers in the world to bring football to new heights,” he says. “He really examined how to break down teams and are most effective in games.

“Arsenal shows that at that time, not close enough to win the league, but they see that they make great improvements by approaching two years in a row.”

In his relationship with Areta, the defender adds: “I would not say that there was something special there. I had respect for him as a manager, I thought he was a tactical genius, but it was an average relationship between players and managers.”

Maitland-Niles also admits that it is “frustrating” that the club did not pursue this success of the FA Cup, but rather gives Arteta its background while the star attacker Saka is supported.

“I think they rely a little too much on him now and you can’t expect so much from such a young player,” he says.

“He hasn’t even hit his heyday. But I think he is the driving force of the team and they miss a bit of attacking threat when he doesn’t play.

“Bukayo has become one of the best wingers in the world that is very consistent, knows how to kill a game and he can choose his moment in a brilliant way.”

The 18 -year -old attacker Ethan Nwaneri has his breakthrough this season and could be an option to help Saka.

“Physically, he is absolutely incredible and there is no fear in the child,” continues Maitland-Nile.

“He only goes to people and tries to let things happen. You can see that he tries to become a leader in this team very early on. He tries to consolidate his place, which is difficult when he plays in the same positions as (Martin) Odegaard and Saka.

“But he also has the ability to do this. He has the world at his feet and only has to take his chance.”

Another landmark for Maitland-Niles was the winners of the Conference League under Mourinho during a successful six-month borrowing in the Roma.

“He’s a really funny guy,” says Maitland-Niles. “The stories that Jose gave us about his previous changing rooms and how he gained cup final and many different leagues – this is an experience from which they can take something from.

“There are many players who would say that they love or hate him. But he is a great guy and what they see is what they get.”