Young duo sign professional terms

Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Stefan O'Connor have signed professional terms with the club.

Pacey winger Maitland-Niles has progressed through the club’s academy system, having joined Arsenal aged nine. Croydon-born central defender O’Connor is also a product of Hale End.

The pair, both 17, helped the Gunners’ under-18s to the last four of the FA Youth Cup last season, as well as being mainstays of the under-19s side that reached the UEFA Youth League quarter-finals in 2013/14.

Both players have also established themselves in the club’s under-21s over the past two seasons. Maitland-Niles has featured in all six second string matches so far this term, scoring once, with O’Connor making five appearances.

Everyone at Arsenal would like to congratulate Ainsley and Stefan on their first professional contracts and looks forward to their continued progression with the club.