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Arsenal shirt numbers James Maddison could wear after Ian Wright backs transfer
Arsenal want to sign James Maddison this summer and Express Sport looks at which shirt number he would wear if he does indeed end up at the Emirates.
James Maddison: Facts and stats of Arsenal-linked midfielder
Arsenal have an obvious shirt number they would give to James Maddison if they complete a deal for the Leicester star this summer. Mikel Arteta has wanted an attacking midfielder throughout this transfer window and Maddison is now at the top of his list. The Gunners are claimed to have offered several players in part-exchange for the England international.
Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has maintained that Maddison is not for sale this summer.
But the Gunners' interest in the 24-year-old was a talking point ahead of Saturday's Community Shield, in which the Foxes beat Manchester City 1-0.
Arsenal legend Ian Wright claimed it is a positive that his former side are looking to sign players of Maddison's calibre.
Wright disagreed with Roy Keane's claim that Arsenal would be a step down for the midfielder, saying on ITV Sport: "Arsenal will be up there.
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"The fact Arsenal are a team that are still trying to build and be where they want to be, players like Maddison is the kind of player Arsenal need to bring them back there.
"Like Liverpool, Manchester United before them have been through their mile-and-a-half of pipe like Andy Defraine in Shawshank Redemption where you see light at the end of the tunnel.
"Arsenal need players like that but that’s where you’ve got to put respect on Arsenal’s name for trying to get back where they were.
"Leicester with what they have done with winning the league and winning the FA Cup it’s more recent, they’re still going through their pipe. Arsenal, we’ll be back."
So if Arsenal do complete the signing of Maddison, which shirt number could he wear?
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No 8
This is the most obvious jersey Maddison would be given at the Emirates.
Dani Ceballos' return to Real Madrid meant the No 8 was vacated.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, FA Cup hero Aaron Ramsey, legendary winger Freddie Ljungberg and Wright himself are among the players to have worn the No 8 for the Gunners in the past.
Maddison would be following in some illustrious footsteps and will want to prove he can live up to that expectations.
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No 18
Thomas Partey has moved shirt numbers this season and therefore his No 18 is available.
However, with the likes of Sebastien Squillaci, Mikael Silvestre and Pascal Cygan having worn it in the past, Maddison may think twice.
No 26
No one has worn the No 26 since Emiliano Martinez left Arsenal last summer.
Arsenal would unlikely want to give a number so high to a big-money signing like Maddison.
No 27 and No 29
These are the last two numbers available before it gets into the 30s.
More could become available if Arsenal manage to sell a few unwanted players before the end of the window.