Ainsley Maitland-Niles called up to England squad

Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been called up to the England squad for the first time on the back of his man of match performance against Liverpool in the Community Shield.

The Gunners graduate started at left wing-back on his 23rd birthday and he produced an assured performance over the course of the 90 minutes before confidently slotting his penalty in the shoot-out.

His display has earned him his maiden call-up to the Three Lions setup and he could feature against the likes of Iceland and Denmark in the upcoming Nations League games.

Maitland-Niles has been linked with a possible departure from the Gunners this summer and earlier this week, the club turned down a £15m offer from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The west Midlands outfit are likely to come up with an improved bid for the versatile ace, but it would come as a surprise, if the Gunners sanction his sale, given he is now a regular starter under Mikel Arteta.