NO BIG BUYS GUNNER AINSLEY’S GREAT BUT NEEDS TARGET PRACTICE
AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES will return to Arsenal with some advice ringing in his ears: Play wherever you’re told - and score more goals.
West Brom chief Sam Allardyce has paid tribute and thanks to the 23-year-old Gunner, who arrived in February to help out the Baggies in their hour of need. Maitland-Niles was hoping to squeeze into England’s squad for the Euros by catching the eye of Gareth Southgate while playing on loan at The Hawthorns.
He has impressed with the Baggies but Allardyce reckons Maitland-Niles and his fellow loanee, Conor Gallagher of Chelsea, are still missing something.
Big Sam insisted: “Ainsley’s given us everything he has got.
“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, ‘You’ll play in midfield as long as you continue to play well. It’s up to you whether you hold on to that position’.
“There’s just one thing missing and it’s something he needs to work on – it’s the same with Conor – they need to score more goals. They 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. But overall, Ainsley has done the job we asked
“He’s made a big contribution. We were just missing the goals. You need two or three each from your midfielders – that could have made a big difference to us.”
Maitland-Niles will return to the Emirates with significant
Premier League experience under his belt. But Allardyce warned that if he wants regular time in Mikel Arteta’s side, the England man may have to stay flexible regarding his preferred position.
Allardyce said: “Arsenal have many talented midfield players. I can see why it’s been difficult for Ainsley. 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 to play – I would never turn it down.
“Perhaps you don’t want to be tagged ‘a utility player’ – but those people sometimes get played more often than players who are stubborn and say, ‘I want that position and nowhere else’.”
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