Arsenal: James Maddison a fresh twist on developing youth

Arsenal is only one of six clubs interested in Norwich’s James Maddison. With such stiff competition, it is more important than ever to win the race.

Norwich youngster James Maddison has been linked with upwards of six different Premier League clubs; Arsenal of course, being one. This highly-touted youngster has had an incredible season scoring 15 in all competitions.

He is valued at a whopping £25-30 million, something only the top teams could dish out for the potential return.

Arsenal has had a great track record when it comes to developing youth and integrating them into the first team. With the likes of Reiss Nelson, Jack Wilshere, Eddie Nketiah and Ainsley Maitland-Niles to name a few, coming through the academy.

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The Gunners surely counldn’t go wrong with going out and getting one of the most talented up-and-coming young British talents. Maddison is very good at passing and dribbling. So good in fact, he’s been linked with six different Premier League clubs. Not much more needs to be said about his ability to make it at the top flight.

The Arsenal youth academy has always been pretty consistent at churning out some promising young talents. Some more notable than others. Jack Wilshere may be the crowning achievement of the academy. Becoming a first-team regular at the age of just 16.

Other notable players, as mentioned, are Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock, both who still play for Arsenal but have problems getting into the starting XI. Arsene Wenger has had a great track record for both bringing through youngsters and signing some of the more promising ones.

He regularly brings up youngsters to feature in the preseason tournaments. Nelson was a very prominent figure this pre-season, making the breakthrough and exciting fans.

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Why the hype?

James Maddison would be a great addition to the amazing amounts of young talent that Arsenal possess. His mesmerizing dribbling and pinpoint passing would be a welcomed boost to an attacking team with plenty of such talent to bank on.

He has shown this season with 15 goals and eight assists that he could play with the best, and given how creative a side these Gunners already are, he would fit right in and grow among some of the best. Maddison’s direct play would also be a welcomed change to Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny‘s risk-free passing. The Norwich man loves to run at defenders and make them feel uncomfortable.

If the club could dish out the whopping £25-30 million for him, the club would be adding quality in youth. Maddison still has plenty to learn from the coaches at Norwich and he would continue that at the Emirates if he were to make the switch. He could bring goals from midfield as he as shown that he can score.

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Of course, there is already Ainsley Maitland-Niles who could play that position but he has been deployed primarily as a fullback this season. If Maddison was added to the mix hemight potentially push Maitland-Niles to a more permanent fullback spot.