Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles believes the squad have proven the critics who question their character by beating Sheffield United late on Sunday.
The Gunners defeated Sheffield United 2-1 in Bramall Lane and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Midfielder Dani Ceballos hit the net in injury time.
Arsenal had previously taken the lead with a penalty from Nicolas Pepe, but when David McGoldrick equalized in the 87th minute, the draw seemed to have been settled for extra time.
However, Mikel Arteta’s team rallied for a late winner, and Maitland-Niles believes this shows the character in the squad.
Arsenal recently came under fire after losing to Brighton, where they threw a lead away from a goal and midfielder Matteo Guendouzi crashed into Neal Maupay at the final whistle.
Maupay said some Arsenal players “need to learn what humility is,” while the team has also been criticized by experts for not seeing the game.
However, the Gunners have recovered from it, and Sunday’s win was a good week for Arteta, in which his team won twice in a row.
“A lot has been said about the character of this group,” said Maitland-Niles.
“But I think you really saw at 1-1 that you had to come back and collect yourself and score the late goal to go on and win against a Sheffield United team that did well this season. That shows what we are about.
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“We built a lot of character. In the difficult times we show ourselves, we have the character to come back and keep fighting and trying as best we can in the league and in the domestic cups.
“I think today was just the icing on the cake to show people that we really can.”
Maitland-Niles was challenged by Arteta himself. The Spaniard called him out after an FA Cup win over Portsmouth in March.
“Ainsley has to lower his head and work hard and show me every day in training that he wants it more than anyone else, he wants to play for this club and fight for his place,” said Arteta.
Maitland-Niles responded to his head coach’s challenge and Sunday was his first start since January.
Answer: Maitland-Niles was asked to lower his head and work hard (POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
“It is an incredible feeling. Every club wants to go to Wembley and play there, ”he said.
“So that we can do it here today and we haven’t had the best results lately, it’s good to get this victory.
“Just keep supporting us, stay with us. We are a team underway, just like many other teams, and we try to win as many games as possible to please the fans. “
After booking a semi-final showdown with Manchester City, the only downside to Arsenal’s win was a possible injury to David Luiz.
The Brazilian was knocked out just before the hour due to an ankle problem and the club rated him before the game against Norwich on Wednesday.
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