From Arsenal to the Ball God

In front of the Korni Training Base, the players who had been promoted to the Arsenal U18 Team were waiting here.

Not just them, but some players from lower-level youth teams were mixed in with them, full of expectation, completely different from when they had sent off the two back then.

”They’re here.”

Hans saw a van coming and adjusted the tie at his collar. Today, he appeared in his best state, even bringing his wife along.

”Isn’t it this one, right?”

His wife stood beside him, a little doubtful. She had been dragged out by her husband and had to take a half-day leave.

”They probably don’t have driver’s licenses.”

Hans explained briefly, worried his wife might look down on Ma’el and Gilbert, adding, ”If they did, they’d surely be driving back in a luxury car themselves.”

Don’t underestimate him as the coach of Arsenal U18, he often trained the team at the same base as the first team.

But frankly, youth coaches at big clubs often can’t compare to first-team players of big clubs, not just in terms of salary and fame, but also in terms of identity and status.

It’s hard for him to know the star players of the first team. Even if he brought his wife to show off, most of those stars would just nod to him.

”Captain!”

”He’s coming down, he’s coming down!”

”Cap...tain.”

In front of the van, Gilbert was the first to step out, and Arsenal U18 players quickly became excited.

However, some could still call out ”Captain,” while some had mixed feelings and couldn’t call out anymore.

With 6 goals and 3 assists in a Championship season, about to break 10 in goal contributions, the gap between Gilbert and them was no longer just between player and captain.

”Hello, everyone.”

After getting out of the van, Gilbert greeted everyone with his head held high and a bright smile: ”Haven’t seen me for half a year, did you miss me?”

However, most of them just smiled at him. Even those who used to have a good relationship with him found it hard to confidently answer him.

In the eyes of Arsenal players, Gilbert at this moment had a different aura, a calm demeanor honed from countless intense professional matches, and confidence nurtured by a price tag of millions of pounds.

”Long time no see.”

Hans walked up with mixed emotions. He had spent only 6 months with Ma’el but 5 years with Gilbert.

He came up, patted Gilbert on the shoulder, and sighed: ”Changed a lot, stronger than you look on TV. You must’ve done lots of extra training with Ma’el?”

”Yes.”

Seeing his old coach, Gilbert also felt a great deal of emotion, stepping forward to give a brief hug, both of them giving each other’s back a heavy pat.

At this point, Ma’el and Jorson got out of the van together and shut the car door.

”Ma’el.....”

”The king of long shots in the Championship, I came just to see him!”

”I heard he’s back, signed a new contract, and his weekly pay is similar to some of the first-team players now.”

”Supernova, some say he’s the new Henry, even better than Gilbert.”

”That’s him, I’ll get a photo with him later!”

Instantly, there was a burst of noise at the base entrance, all coming from the younger kids who didn’t know Ma’el.

The Arsenal U18 members who knew Ma’el fell into even more complex emotions than before.

They watched Ma’el and Gilbert’s matches weekly and long ago reached a consensus—being teammates with such players is something to be proud of; it is our honor.

Before they left, they also encouraged and congratulated Ma’el, never looking down or ignoring him.

Logically, they should at least treat Ma’el as they did Gilbert just now.

But they didn’t. Although most were breathing heavily, looking around and exchanging glances, none spoke.

The status shift was too big!

If Gilbert pulled ahead of them over the past half year, making them feel out of reach.

Then Ma’el was like a rocket shooting into the sky, returning to them, making them feel as insignificant as a candle in the light of the moon.

”Long time no see, brothers.”

Ma’el greeted them, especially searching for Ian’s figure, but found he was no longer on the team.

With the U18 team, some merely waved at him, then awkwardly placed their hands on their heads, as if to scratch, creating a slightly awkward scene.

”Ma’el, can we take a picture?”

”I brought pen and paper, can you sign for me?”

”Me too!”

Luckily, the young players broke the ice, surrounding Ma’el noisily, making the scene lively again.

Ma’el enjoyed the fun of being surrounded by the kids. He had experienced this at Sheffield United, but not with today’s triumphant return feeling.

He agreed to each of their requests, not missing one.

When it was over, Hans came to his side, smiling with excitement.

He had been anticipating this day for a long time, finally able to meet Ma’el.

”This is my wife.”

Almost like not knowing how to start, he pointed to the woman beside him for a brief introduction, before coming back to the topic: ”If you play in the first team in the future, I’ll bring her every week to watch your matches.”

”I’m honored.”

Ma’el replied courteously, shaking hands with the somewhat reserved woman beside him, and then giving Hans a hug.

Seeing Hans not speaking, he took the initiative to ask: ”Where’s Ian? I didn’t see him, did he leave?”

”Yes.”

Hans nodded, looking at Ma’el, who was beginning to take on the aura of a star, knowing their identities and statuses had already reversed, and even their relationship wouldn’t return to the way it was before.