For a second time this season, James Maddison will be the centre of attention as Arsenal host Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.
In the reverse meeting back in October, things didn't go the attacking midfielder's way against the Gunners as he faced the club he was heavily tipped to join during last summer's transfer window for the very first time.
One of the biggest talking points at the King Power Stadium was Maddison being denied a goal shortly before half-time as it took a stunning save from Aaron Ramsdale to keep out his free-kick.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old was somewhat at fault for the Foxes being 2-0 down at that point in the game.
A few moments before Arsenal doubled their lead Leicester were threatening an equaliser but Thomas Partey intercepted Maddison's intended pass to Jamie Vardy and a few seconds later the ball broke to Emile Smith Rowe who made no mistake from close range.
Having been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium last summer, being partially at fault for Smith Rowe's goal, being denied a goal and then being substituted in the second half capped off a not-so-enjoyable afternoon for Maddison.
But he's in line to get a second bite at the cherry and show Mikel Arteta what he's missing.
As previously revealed by football.london , the reason Maddison did not join the Gunners is because the club were not willing to pay in excess of £60million to land the one-capped England international.
The fee was always going to prove a stumbling block and when Martin Odegaard became available for half the price in the closing weeks of the transfer window, the decision was made to close the deal for the Norway international instead.
That decision has been vindicated in recent weeks with the former Real Madrid playmaker consistently putting in consistent displays in helping establish Arsenal as genuine top-four contenders.
Whilst the Odegaard-Maddison debate has effectively been settled, there could be another transfer saga involving Arsenal and Leicester when the summer window opens.
As revealed by football.london , the Gunners are weighing up moves for a right-back and a centre-forward whilst Youri Tielemans has been mooted as a possible addition in central midfield.
The Belgium international is set to get a chance to impress his potential future suitors this afternoon, but Arteta may want to cast an eye over Maddison once again.
Back in December 2020, Arteta revealed his long-term plan was to transition into a 4-3-3 formation.
"We want to move to a 4-3-3," the Spaniard said. "But for that, you need a lot of specificity in every position but now in five or six positions, we don’t have it."
14 months on and Arsenal's most consistent run of form since Arteta took charge has coincided with a subtle change of formation with Partey operating at the base of a midfield trio and Odegaard slotting in perfectly as a right-sided No.8 where he can combine effectively with Bukayo Saka.
Though there is still one position up for grabs and it's on the left-side of the midfield three which Granit Xhaka has been moved into of late, but not quite regarded as a long-term solution for the role.
As Maddison's preference is to play as a No.8, he could operate next to Partey and Odegaard if the Gunners decide to make another move for him this summer, thus completing the Arteta's tactical vision at the Emirates.
"No.8 definitely," Maddison said when asked for his preferred position, as per Leicestershire Live. "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."
Amid links to Fabian Ruiz, Renato Sanches and Tielemans, it would appear that Arteta and Gunners technical director Edu have moved on from Maddison.
But with the 25-year-old's admission over his favoured role and 12 goals across all competitions from midfield so far this season, an impressive performance this afternoon could force the Arsenal decision-makers into a rethink.
After a summer debate between Gunners fans as to who would be a better signing, it could be that Odegaard and Maddison end up completing Arteta's dream setup.
