AMN and Mikel Arteta's January transfer plan for Arsenal

Things can change fast in football.

Just over a year ago, Arsenal rejected a £15million bid from Wolves for Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

At the time it looked like a potentially good move for both club and player, but the Gunners decided to keep him at the club due to his versatile qualities.

The 24-year-old put in an impressive shift as Arsenal beat Watford 1-0 on Sunday afternoon, with the England filling in for the injured Thomas Partey.

But what exactly does the future hold for Maitland-Niles? He's a player who courts misconceptions and arguably doesn't get the credit he deserves.

Football Mad takes a look at what could happen next and whether a January transfer is likely to happen.

Maitland-Niles saw his deadline day move to Everton blocked which prompted him to post a message on Instagram which said, 'All I wanna do is go where I'm wanted and where I'm gonna play'.

It prompted sit down talks with manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu who reminded Maitland-Niles of his responsibilities on social media, before assuring him that he would play an important role over the coming months.

"Any private conversation with players, what we believe the role they have in the team, is always resolved privately. That one is resolved," he said at the time.

"I am happy that he has stayed, it was our intention and he’s another player in the squad.

‘He knows that he has a unique quality in any squad, which is his versatility to play in different positions."

Football Mad understands that Maitland-Niles has made significant improvements with regards to his discipline and attitude in training, which was further emphasised by Arteta's post-match comments after the win over Watford.

"First of all, I see a different player in terms of his urgency, his commitment, the clarity in his play, his purpose," Arteta said.

"Since we made the decision (to keep him), it was clear what I was seeing that I wanted him to stay, because he was going to be useful.

"He has a huge talent because he’s versatile enough to adapt to almost any position on the pitch.

"Today we made use of him to do what he had to do in the game, which was really important."

It's not known whether a new contract could be on the cards for Maitland-Niles, whose current deal expires next summer.

He could potentially sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign team from January, or alternatively wait until the summer when he is likely to be presented with a handsome signing on fee by prospective new clubs.

However, Maitland-Niles has grown up through the ranks at Arsenal and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him rewarded with a new deal if his performances continue to help the Gunners climb the Premier League table.

"When I see him in training sessions, when I see how he prepares, when I see the questions he’s asking, his level of attention," said Arteta.

"Everything you talk through, his response is immediate. He’s a really clever boy, really clever, really intelligent.

"I think he needs to able to transmit that, and how much he cares, with his body language and his determination. He’s come a long way."

After a poor start the Gunners are finally firing.