James Maddison admits Arsenal Champions League tie left him envious as Tottenham challenge outlined

James Maddison has admitted he was envious of watching Arsenal and Manchester City in the Champions League this week — which sharpened his desire to ensure Tottenham Hotspur secure a return to Europe's premier competition next season.

Mikel Arteta's and Pep Guardiola's sides played out thrilling draws with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid respectively in the first leg of the quarter-finals, with Maddison left to watch from his North London home after Spurs failed to qualify for any of the three European competitions after an eighth-place finish in the Premier League last term.

Since Ange Postecoglou was appointed as Antonio Conte's permanent successor in North London last summer, the Lilywhites are on course for a return to the Champions League next season as they currently sit fourth in the table, level on points with fifth-place Aston Villa who have played a game more than Postecoglou's side.

Speaking to Sky Sports News on Thursday, Maddison admitted watching two of Tottenham's Premier League rivals in European action left him envious but also recognised that it's a competition he and his team-mates can't afford to not be competing in.

“As a player, you don’t always share the same things but we want to be in the Champions League," said the 27-year-old. “I sat there last night [Tuesday] watching two huge quarter-final clashes and it’s a competition that we at Tottenham need to be in.”

Tottenham are in Premier League action this weekend when they travel to Newcastle United.

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