Ainsley Maitland-Niles is not thinking about a possible return to Arsenal and believes he and Sergio Oliveira have the right mindset to help the Giallorossi.
The 24-year-old has joined Roma on a loan deal from Arsenal until the end of the season. He was unveiled at a press conference in Rome today.
When the versatile defender was asked if he feels to be part of a long-term project at Roma, he replied: “Right now, I am just focused on the club and our aim is to get as high as possible in the table as we can. Champions League position. I am not focused on where I am going to be, just on my football right now in this club.”
The Arsenal loanee made his Serie A debut on Sunday against Juventus after just one training session with his new team.
The Giallorossi were 3-1 up after 70 minutes but conceded three goals in seven minutes, losing 4-3.
“Having ups and downs are part of football,” Maitland-Niles said.
“We lost focus and it cost us the game. If we can change our mindset and focus for seven extra minutes then we can become a team that wins constantly. It’s just a matter of everyone coming together and focusing all together instead of losing the focus.
“Roma is a good team, Serie A is a great league. It’s more tactical and technical [than the Premier League]. You need to be aware and have to focus all the time on the pitch.”
José Mourinho has repeatedly said that Roma players lack a strong mentality and Maitland-Niles believes that he and Sergio Oliveira can help the Giallorossi.
“I believe that me and Sergio have the ability and the mindset to help the rest of the team, start winning games. That’s what football is about. The manager wants to see it. If we don’t win we are not happy. We need to try hard and start winning,” he said.
Roma announced Oliveira’s loan move last night. The Giallorossi have an option to make his move permanent for €13m in the summer.
Maitland-Niles’ compatriots Tammy Abraham and Chris Smalling could help the 24-year-old settle in at the Stadio Olimpico.
“I knew Tammy before I came here. Chris not so much, we’ve become closer since I’ve been here,” the English defender said.
“In terms of being on the pitch and speaking Italian, I understand football. If the coach speaks Italian for the rest of the team, I can still understand bits because I understand football. There are bits where the translator helps me, but the major part I understand.
“I have multiple abilities, I can run, I have great energy on the pitch, good technical ability. I understand the game very well. For me is just trying to improve in every game and every week. That’s what I need to work on and build upon my performances.”