In Ainulindalë it reads that the valar came to Eä first and were called the Powers of the World. Manwë called for other spirits later to help to create Arda and combat the evils of Melkor.
But from the words in Valaquenta it could be inferred that the maiar came with the valar. Go figure...
But it is quite clear that ainur were created before the world existed and Sauron was older than anything on earth. So most likely Gandalf ment that those nameless things were in Middle-Earth before Sauron lay his foot there in his "physical" form. And Sauron didn't know them for Melkor had created them with his 'music' and they were only in his mind (well of course Eru knew their form).
I really don't know if this makes any sense. The whole issue gets the more confusing the more you think about it!
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[ February 28, 2003: Message edited by: Annunfuiniel ]
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