James Maddison has explained where he sees his best position on the pitch, amid speculation that he could join Arsenal in a £60million deal in this summer’s transfer window. Mikel Arteta is an admirer of the 24-year-old, although, the one major sticking point for the Gunners is Leicester City’s demands of over £60million. If Arsenal are able to get the deal over the line, Arteta has already been told how he could get the best from the attacking midfielder.
James Maddison said: “No.8 definitely. I played as a No.10 at the start of last season, and then when the gaffer [Rodgers] came in, I transitioned into a No.8, and sometimes I play off the left. I don’t want to be labelled as a No.10. I’m not a No.10. I can’t remember a game where I’ve played as a No.10 this season, maybe West Ham at home. Being a No.8 has made me add that defensive side to my game. I’m never going to be a big tackler, I’m never going to go around smashing people. It’s that awareness and that responsibility of getting little toes in, little interceptions, because as a No.8 you find yourself deeper a lot, so I’ve had to add that.”
Such comments are likely to be music to the ears of Arteta. Thus far the Spaniard has fielded his side in a 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 formation, but his dream is to transition into playing a 4-3-3 system.
Mikel Arteta said: “For me the way we occupy space and who is going to move in there is more important than the formation. And from there we have some very similar players that are not used to play in those positions so we have to keep changing the formation a little bit. We want to move to a 4-3-3.”
As Maddison’s preference is to play as a no.8, he could operate next to Thomas Partey and another midfielder, thus completing the Spaniard’s tactical dream at the Emirates Stadium.
