Ainsley Maitland-Niles says there is “always another chapter” as he finds himself without a club this summer.
The versatile defender was sent on loan to Southampton from Arsenal though he does not look likely to stick around in SO25 beyond the end of the season, with Saints getting relegated to the Championship.
The 25-year-old has also seen his time come to an end in north London, with both player and club agreeing to part ways after a 20-year association with the club.
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“I feel like I’ve grown up as a person,” Maitland-Niles told HampshireLive about his season. “I’ve got to know myself more and have had players around me throughout the season.
“I wouldn’t say it’s been a difficult year for me personally, I know what I needed to do this season and I have tried to fulfil that to the best of my ability. It’s come to an end at Arsenal but there is always another chapter.
“Right now I’m just focussing on the football and then I’ll take it from there once the season has finished.”
Southampton’s relegation was confirmed a fortnight ago with a 2-0 home defeat at Fulham, though the writing was on the walls much longer before then.
Working under three managers (Ralph Hasenhuttl, Nathan Jones and Ruben Selles), the team never managed to escape their fate, regularly losing when it mattered most and failing to claw back points on their rivals when those around them lost games.
“Any team is going to be sad to get relegated so you would expect what is happening right now,” added Maitland-Niles. “Everyone is just trying to pick themselves up and train as best they can.
“We focus on the football, try and enjoy it as much as we can and take it from there. Every game is a new challenge and you have to enjoy every moment on the pitch.
“It’s a difficult situation, there’s a lot that has happened this season at the club but the main thing is that we (players) have stick together through thick and thin right until the end.”
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