Arsenal youngster Ainsley Maitland-Niles will now complete his season-long loan move to the Blues on Thursday, TWTD understands.

The 17-year-old has been at the club today for a medical and the paperwork relating to the switch will be completed on Thursday when he will train with his new team-mates for the first time.

Speaking at this morning's press conference, manager Mick McCarthy said he sees Maitland-Niles as a versatile midfielder, who "can play anywhere along the midfield".

Goodmayes-born Maitland-Niles joined Arsenal’s academy aged nine and broke into their U21 side during 2013/14, signing a pro deal in October 2014.

The England U17 and U18 international made his senior debut as a sub last season in a Champions League game with Galatasaray and also made first team appearances from the bench against Newcastle in the Premier League and Hull City in the FA Cup.

Maitland-Niles hit the headlines earlier in the year when his mother, Jule Niles, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting two people at Arsenal’s training ground, amongst them Arsene Wenger's negotiator Dick Law. She was later released without charge.

Photo: Action Images

Foreverdon_Blue added 22:36 - Jun 30 OK, OK MrBloo you've made your point, now go to bed and sleep it off! I personally like to have both options of our own youngsters and good loan players as long they improve the squad! COYB!
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BlueNomad added 22:41 - Jun 30 Bloo I was not being rude. I said that your postings get tedious as they so often knock the football, which I have never claimed is always great. That is not the same as calling you tedious. However, by judging your opinions on the odd TV game you do not really see the season unfold. Did you, for example, see the Middlesbro game in December. There were spells in the game where we played some great stuff. Your comparison with commenting on England games whilst watching tv is irrelevant. All their games are shown in full. Like you I would love a return to the "Ipswich way" which I probably remember as well as you do. That hasn't happened yet but you ask the majority of people who went to most games and they will probably tell you it was the most fun they had had in years. I wish you could have got more pleasure out of it.

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ArnieM added 01:15 - Jul 1 FAO Mr Bloo. "Mick is an average manager".......????! What planet have you been sitting in your armchair watching football from? You clearly know absolutely nothing about the game. Did you ever watch his Wolves team from your armchair, that tore up the Championship using wingers such as Keigtley whom he unearthed from lower leagues? It takes time to build a squad/ team that comprises all the skills and attributes required to gain promotion. Mick tends to accomplish this in his second season at the club's he's managed - so I guess by entering his third season here and we are not yet promoted, he might just meet your weird classification of "average".

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trncbluearmy added 05:09 - Jul 1 `Football supporting is all about opinions. If we all thought the same what a dull place this would be.` No it`s not, it`s about surpporting your team through thick and thin Those fans that stood firm at the end of the game at carrot rd singing `I`m Ipswich till I die` loud and proud turned a moment of dispair into a glorious moment that will live in the memory forever. You will never understand,your loss

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muccletonjoe added 05:32 - Jul 1 This lad will be no squad player. As soon as he starts playing , it will be evident. We have no one anywhere near his class
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MeenoITFC added 07:48 - Jul 1 Too many people playing football manager... great signing, welcome to ipswich!
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BlueSwede added 08:07 - Jul 1 As much as most supporters want us to play freeflowing, attacking, attractive football, for me the end justifies the means. If we win promotion constantly playing the the long ball - so be it. I don't think Chelseasupporters feel their team play the best and most enjoyable football when they "park the bus", but knocking Barcelona out of the Champions League that way and winning the Premiership playing that way sometimes makes it ok. With the signings of Fraser and Maitland-Niles as well as Henshall and Connolly allready signed last season it looks as if MM is looking to find the right balance of long balls, wingplay and opening up opponents defence through the middle with Bishop. And after all, that's what the game is about at this level: winning, any way.

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blue_movies added 10:42 - Jul 1 if you want to get out of this league look at Watford and Bournemouth, and try and work out what they have in common. No its not hoofing it up the field or not being able to string 2 passes together. Glad everyone is happy with mid table Mick.
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runningout added 11:54 - Jul 1 Are you sure that's a picture of Maitland Niles??
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