Arsenal: 5 pros and cons of James Maddison £60m transfer

2. Maddison Suits Arsenal’s Homegrown Needs

Arsenal should not splurge £60m (probably more) on a player just because he classes as homegrown. That would be utter lunacy.

As they scour Europe – or perhaps not given recent links – the playmakers around are enticing but wouldn’t provide assurances of hitting the ground running. While Arsenal will absolutely have to suit the quota, someone who fits that bill also implies they invariably have comfort with English football.

In acquiring Maddison, Arsenal will have someone who requires minimal bedding in time. For Arteta, this is essential as another season without European football following this one will ruin the club even beyond its current struggles. There can be no patience such as seen with Nicolas Pepe – who required near to 18 months to begin showing his worth – something that will not occur with Maddison.

Furthermore, with a Hale Exodus set to take place with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and possible Joe Willock all departing, there will be an ever diminishing British core. Wenger once said you need to have an English core – not that core though, that failed miserably – and Maddison alongside Kieran Tierney, Bukayo Saka, Smith Rowe, Rob Holding, Calum Chambers, Ben White(?) and Folarin Balogun is a group to build around, all of a good age.

Suiting the quota following the mass of exits becomes vital and if it can be met with a high-quality operator, then it adds to the allure.