"Ainsley’s given us everything he has got," Sam Allardyce said about Maitland-Niles and his West Brom loan, as quoted by the Mirror.
"He came to join the fight - you have to admire that - he knew my idea was to play him where he wanted to play and where he’s always wanted to play - in midfield.
"And my words to Ainsley were this: You’ll play in midfield as long as you continue to play well. It’s up to you whether you will hold on to that position.
"There’s just one thing missing and it’s something he just needs to work on — to score more goals. They [Niles and Conor Gallagher] need to chip in.
"They’re up-and-down players, they can get box-to-box, they can get on the edge of the box, in the box, they can get chances - but if they do, they need to improve their finishing.
"It’s the same for every midfielder, or every attacking midfielder like them, they have to add some goals.
"Overall, Ainsley has done the job we asked him to. He’s played where we have asked him, he’s played where he wanted to. He’s made a big contribution. But there is just one thing missing: Those goals that we ultimately needed.
"It wasn’t just about your front three but you need two or three each from your midfielders - and that could have made a big difference to us.
"Arsenal have got many talented midfield players. I can see why it’s been difficult for him. It’s very competitive in there. That’s why he’s been played more as a full-back.
"If I were him, I’d play wherever the manager picked me - and I’d never turn it down because if you are able to play in a number of positions, then you are going to get more games than if you had one position and one position only.
"Perhaps you don’t want to be tagged as a ‘utility player’ but sometimes those people are played more often than those who are stubborn and say: 'I want to play in that position and nowhere else.'"
Maitland-Niles joined West Brom on loan on the winter transfer deadline day in a bid to help save them from relegation and to get some EPL game time in his preferred position in the middle of the park.
Ains has made 13 appearances away on loan and led WBA's late resurgence as he reportedly motivated his teammates to keep fighting with an inspirational team talk.
However, the Baggies failed to stay up as the recent defeat to Arsenal confirmed their relegation.
Niles has 2 years left on his Gunners deal and it remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta sees him as a part of the squad for the next season.
