In many ways, the story of James Maddison’s Tottenham Hotspur career can be told through the two north London derbies of last season. At the time of the first, in September, he was a midfield playmaker at the top of his game, looking for all the world like one of the Premier League’s best creative talents. In an impressive performance, he assisted two goals in a 2-2 draw.

By the time of the second derby, though, Maddison was struggling to make his presence felt. When Spurs played Arsenal at home in late April, he was hooked after around an hour of action, with his team trailing 3-0. It was the ninth consecutive game in which he was substituted by Ange Postecoglou.

That dip in form in the second half of the campaign, following an ankle injury that ruled him out for almost three months, effectively cost Maddison a place in England’s European Championship squad. It has also raised some wider questions about a footballer who has so much talent, but is now running out of time to fully establish himself as a top-tier player in the Premier League.

Can Maddison, who turns 28 in November, find the consistency that is required to elevate himself into that top bracket of midfielder? Can he sustain, across a full campaign, the physical levels that made him so impressive at the start of last season? Can he be a reference point and a leader for Spurs? Now in his peak years, the moment has come for definitive answers.

This time last year, following his £40 million move from Leicester City, Maddison was in the midst of a sensational start to his Spurs career. He had been named vice-captain after just a few weeks at the club and was involved in eight goals (three goals and five assists) in his first 11 league games. He was sharp, strong and thriving in an exciting team that was taking the Premier League by storm.

The ankle injury in November proved to be the turning point. It was a setback from which Maddison never truly recovered. Following his return, he was involved in five goals (one goal, four assists) in 17 league games. In other words: pre-injury, Maddison was delivering what Spurs expected of him, if not more. Post-injury, he was not.

It did not help Maddison’s cause that his ankle was still presenting problems after his comeback. He was back in the team from late January, but that is not to say he was fully fit from that point. Indeed, Postecoglou said recently that Maddison “never reached” the physical levels he showed at the start of the season.

Postecoglou’s view is that Maddison’s game flows from his physical condition, even if few observers would say that the midfielder’s style of play is built on running power or muscular strength. Maddison has always been more of a thinker and a schemer than a runner, but in Postecolgou’s system there is a need for both the aesthetic and athletic qualities.

Arsenal injuries offer midfielder golden chance

Burned by his England omission – which has continued under Lee Carsley, whom Maddison knows from his time at Coventry – Maddison has started this season with a renewed resolve.

At Spurs they have seen a sense of determination and drive in their playmaker, who has assisted two goals in his first three games of the campaign. So far this season, only two midfielders (Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and Southampton’s Flynn Downes) have taken more touches in the Premier League.

Arsenal are a formidable opponent but this weekend’s meeting presents an opportunity for a player of Maddison’s skill set. Arsenal are without Martin Odegaard, their best pressing midfielder and chief creative force, and also are missing the suspended Declan Rice, who is usually so dominant in central areas. For Maddison, there could be space in which to move.

Maddison has always had the personality required for these occasions. He is a great talker, open and honest in his interviews, and he has matured since becoming a father three years ago. At Spurs he is regarded as a senior figure, who happily flits between the different social groups in the squad, and he has not lost his cheek: last season he clashed in person (and then sparred on social media) with Brentford wind-up merchant Neal Maupay.

That squabble was good fun for the watching world and an easy win for the media, but the task for Maddison now is to generate headlines for his ability. A return of seven England caps feels low for a player of his technique and vision, and he is now battling a younger group of up-and-comers, such as Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes, for international game-time.

The rise of these players furthers the sense that Maddison’s window is beginning to close. A starring performance against Arsenal this weekend, in the biggest game of his club’s season, would be the perfect way to throw it back open.