Arsenal midfielder loaned out to Serie A outfit

Roma have reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a temporary basis.

The 24-year-old has hardly played under Mikel Arteta this term with less than 400 minutes across all competitions.

He has now been permitted to join the Giallorossi on loan. The Serie A outfit don't have the option to buy him.

However, there is a verbal agreement between the clubs. Roma will have the first option to sign him permanently.

Maitland-Niles' exit comes as a surprise, considering the Gunners are missing several midfielders at the moment.

Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are away on AFCON duty while Granit Xhaka has been absent from training.

The Swiss has not been involved on the training ground this week, but the club have yet to confirm the reason behind.

The north London giants are scheduled to face Nottingham Forest in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday evening.

Albert Sambi Lokonga could be partnered Charlie Patino in midfield. The teenager looks set to make his full senior debut.