That was a very interesting ending to the Premier League season with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the thick of the action.
Arsenal lost out on the Premier League title race on the final day and Spurs ended the season in fifth spot.
But it could have been very different if Ange Postecoglou’s side had done their neighbours a favour in the penultimate game of the season.
Tottenham needed to take a point off Manchester City and their neighbours would then go into the final day with destiny in their hands, regarding the title.
Mikel Arteta’s side actually went on to beat Everton on the final day, but Manchester City did their job against West Ham United and Pep Guardiola scored a fourth title in a row.
James Maddison started that game against Manchester City and produced a very good performance, despite his form dipping off during the second half of the campaign.
Given the odd feeling around the match, fans wanting their team to lose because of the rivalry with Arsenal, it caused a bit of a stir and a major talking point.
Maddison was pretty honest when talking about the north London rivalry and how he simply can’t relate to it.
The Euro 2024 hopeful was pretty clear that, heart on heart, he ‘isn’t a Tottenham fan’ and doesn’t have any ‘hatred’ for the Gunners, as he told talkSPORT.
It was a pretty honest and blunt message from the player about the situation that overshadowed the final week of the season.
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur’s rivalry
“Listen, I’m not a Tottenham fan,” said Maddison. “Deep down in my heart. I don’t have the hatred for Arsenal that Tottenham fans have.
“But, on the same page, I completely understand because I am a Coventry fan. Watching Coventry go deep in the FA Cup. That’s how I feel when I support a team and that’s how I know with the rivalry and stuff, so I kind of get it.”
James Maddison in the media
One thing fans hate is players being robotic in the media and not themselves.
But one thing is for sure, Maddison is the complete opposite of that, no matter who he talks to and on whatever platform.
READ MORE: James Maddison admits shock at Tottenham Hotspur securing transfer of ‘top player’
It’s refreshing to have someone like him in the media because, agree or disagree with him, he is forthright, doesn’t cut corners and is very honest.
Arsenal fans still won’t forgive Son Heung-min for that miss. But perhaps they should look at themselves in that regard and how they should have done their own job during the course of the season.
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