From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Rising to the Top of the Assist Leaderboard!

On October 2nd, Sheffield United hosted Watford, who had traveled a long way to face them.

Before the match, Ma’el, wearing a long-sleeved training suit, received the September Player of the Month trophy for the Championship League in the media room.

It was still made of crystal, featuring the English Championship League logo, with the words ”Player of the month” below, and the overall design was simple.

But the significance it represented was definitely weighty!

Ma’el also accepted an interview from reporters here, answering a few questions he was interested in.

When asked if he would return to Arsenal this season or stay with Sheffield United, he pondered for a moment and smiled, ”Let nature take its course. When you have the skill, you will play in the league that suits it.

”Both clubs are large clubs with illustrious histories, and being in either makes me feel very comfortable.

”Whether now or in the future, I will give my all for the team I play for.

”Leave the rest to time, thank you.”

He raised the Player of the Month trophy, expressed one last thank you, and left the interview area to return to the locker room for final preparations.

This was obviously an ambiguous answer, reflecting, in a way, the complexity within his heart.

Of course, Ma’el wouldn’t be indecisive elsewhere; he is not one to be fickle and knows why he came to the Championship.

With his increasing fame and value, it seems that returning to the more spotlighted, overall better Premier League is a better choice, the choice he should make.

But... with his current strength, could he get to play ball if he returns to a Premier League giant?

How much time will Wenger give him to train and improve himself, and to what extent will he have improved by then?

A sense of urgency to improve his personal strength surged in him again... Ma’el finally decided not to overthink and to use his spare time to train more daily.

Hopefully, by the time the call comes, he will be fully prepared to face the Premier League!

......

”This is Sky Sports broadcasting the 10th round of the 10-11 season Championship League match. Sheffield United seems to be riding high, ready to kick off October on a positive note!

”Both teams performed very well last month, and their styles are very aggressive; their match must be very exciting!”

”.....”

”Here comes Sodder! The ball is in! In the 16th minute of the match, from a pass by Danny Graham, Sodder scored, and Watford took the lead as visitors!

”Sheffield United’s defense still has issues; their fullbacks find it difficult to maintain position on the sidelines!”

”.....”

”Another corner! Sheffield United has earned their third consecutive corner, with Ma’el at the penalty spot; his corner kick is very consistent, often creating threats, but has yet to deliver a corner assist!

”Excellent spot... the central position is Evans! He didn’t reach it, and Watford’s defender missed it too!!

”At the far post, Budanovic charged up! Header, beautiful!! One to one!! Sheffield United has finally managed to equalize the score!”

”.....”

”Ward! He’s been very active today, frequently appearing in the cameras, breakthrough, he’s past them! Consecutive breakthroughs, will he shoot?

”Oh...! Goal in! Two to one! Coming from Aston Villa’s youth academy, Ward has turned the score around for Sheffield United; will this decide the trend of the match?”

In the broadcast, after scoring, Ward pointed both hands to the sky, closed his eyes, with an expression of enjoyment.

Evans came up and embraced his back, followed closely by Ma’el leaping on top of the two.

”Snap snap!” Photographers on the sidelines quickly captured this moment, and the photo was used in the post-match reports by various media, mostly as a cover image.

”Sheffield United won two to one at home against Watford! Budanovic and Ward made substantial contributions! The highly-watched young Ma’el captured his first assist of October!”— Sheffield Evening Paper

...

On October 16th, the 11th round of the Championship arrived.

”Long time no see! After more than ten days of rest for international match days, the lads on the field today look full of energy; I think they’re bursting to play.

”This is a key 11th round Championship battle, with Sheffield United hosting Burnley.

”Notably, Sheffield’s young midfielder Gilbert has finally completed his suspension and is back on the field; he is friends with the team’s winger, Ma’el.”

”.....”

”Daniel Polodanovich! A signature header strike! Again from a corner, again assisted by Ma’el, just like the last match!

”Burnley’s defense has issues; they left the front open and lost track of this set-piece attack’s deadly weapon!”

”.....”

”Two to zero! This time it’s Luton!

”An astonishing goal! He came up on the flank, received a pass from Ma’el, and then accidentally broke through from the sideline into the box! Finished with a toe poke!

”Were Burnley’s defenders asleep? This is a mistake that should never have been made!”

”.....”

”Marne! Keeps a glimmer of hope for Burnley! One to two! Seems like their forwards aren’t asleep, still striving for victory!

”A classic 45-degree blast into the goal, assisted by their attacking core, Iglesias!”

”.....”

”Mills charged into the box! Chris Morgan pulled him down! Will the referee blow the whistle?

”He did! Penalty, Burnley got a perfect chance for a penalty kick before the end of the match, Iglesias standing at the penalty spot!

”Calmly scored! Two to two draw! Both sides played a good half each!”

”.....”

At the last moment, Ma’el hurried and anxiously launched a long shot before the referee blew the whistle, hoping to save the team as before.

But this hasty shot flew straight past the goal, hitting the fan area behind.

No hit!

Every game doesn’t have a fairy tale ending!

”Pheeew! Pheeew! Pheeew—!” The main referee then blew three long whistles, signaling the end of the match.

Having played throughout, Ma’el lay on the ground, gasping for air, having to buffer the psychological gap after the opponent’s equalizer.

Since crossing over, apart from those he’s regularly encountered, he indeed didn’t take others too seriously.

His heart seems to linger in the past life, focusing only on those names he remembered from then, treating more players from other Championship teams like NPCs.

It indeed feels somewhat like playing a game, experiencing VAR.

But now, as he increasingly feels the strength and resilience of these players, his recognition of everything here is growing.

These are real, living people; as opponents, they too will strive to win, creating trouble for you!

Ma’el must give more, possess more strength, to experience more of the pleasure of victory.

Back in the locker room, Garrispeed called him over, telling him he would rest for the next match and won’t be included in the game roster.

Ma’el accepted it openly, taking advantage of this time to practice long shots up to Level 4.

The upgrade should be coming soon.

...

The stormy waves of football continue endlessly, but right now, Ma’el is merely one of the many waves in the tide of the times.

Not more attention is gathered on him, and he is far from being at the forefront.

”Following Fabregas’s injury, Wilshere received a red card this round, Nasri is suspended for accumulated yellow cards, and Arsenal’s midfield has no one left to use.” — 442 chief editor

”Manchester United was held to a 2-2 draw at home by West Brom, and the Old Lord Ferguson lashed out in the locker room!” — Sun

”Draw Day? Of the matches held on this day across the various levels of English leagues, 14 ended in draws, with 4 in the Premier League and 6 in the Championship!” — London Evening Paper editor

”The top of the Championship assist leaderboard has changed! The 17-year-old prodigy Ma’el, with an unbelievable 8 assists in 11 rounds, crushes the passers of all 24 Championship teams!” — Championship News Flash