From Arsenal to the Ball God

May 23, morning.

On a sunny day, Ma’el and Gilbert went to report to the team together, feeling pretty good.

As they arrived at the entrance of the Korni Training Base, perhaps many Arsenal fans had heard the news in advance and specially came here to welcome them.

There weren’t many people, just about a hundred, but when they gathered at the small base entrance, it still seemed quite impressive.

Some prepared posters of their match photos at Sheffield United, others held Arsenal jerseys, or simply a blank sheet waiting for signatures.

”Ma’el! I’ve been watching you since the 7th round of the Championship, you played really well, good luck next season!”

”Gilbert, a kid who grew up in the Youth Academy, I’ve watched your U15 matches!”

”Good luck, waiting for you to become Premier League stars!”

”You are Arsenal’s future!”

”Save the team!”

Ma’el walked towards them with a smile, taking pictures one by one with fans who wanted a photo, this second homecoming was different from the first.

Whether it’s the achievements and honors he carried, or the welcoming scene, there are differences!

He now doesn’t dare to hope to join a team and have a special joining ceremony indoors at the Emirates Stadium, attracting tens of thousands to welcome him.

However..... having dozens of fans come specially already gives him a joyful feeling.

Leaving quietly, returning with the club fans knowing his existence and looking forward to his future journey with Arsenal!

Ma’el feels himself moving forward step by step, rising a level after some time.

Given time, he must make Arsenal fans go crazy for him, make all of London go crazy for him!

”See you at the Emirates Stadium.”

Parting with the fans, Ma’el waved goodbye, agreeing on the place to meet again.

He and Gilbert walked through the gates of Korni Base, where a new group of people awaited to welcome them.

Hans again led the U18 players standing here, still with his wife, with even younger kids coming over to admire.

It seemed everything was like last time, just that Ma’el and Gilbert’s identities had changed.

This time, they came with the title of Championship League record-breaking 103 points champions, one also shattered countless records as the league’s best player, top scorer, Assist King!

”The champions are back!”

Hans opened his arms towards Ma’el, this time he first mentioned those shoes, ”My sneakers will appreciate in value again, I really wonder, how much the shoes you personally inscribed ’representing your start’ will rise in the future.”

”Sell for ten thousand pounds?”

Seeing Hans also very happy, they had met some time ago in the Fulham District of London, just didn’t have time to sit together.

”Not selling.” Hans refused decisively, he laughed and pulled his wife up to let her speak about his concern.

”Hans wants me to invite you.”

Hans’s wife, slightly nervous, still smiling, ”He’s always wanted to invite you to dinner at home. Last time you said you’d come back for it, he’s been mentioning it for months.”

”I remember.” Ma’el nodded, he indeed remembered this, ”After settling here, I’ll definitely find time to go.”

”Great!”

Hans came over, shaking Ma’el’s hand, seeming very happy, gripping tightly, afraid Ma’el might run away.

”Nice to meet again.”

After handshaking, Ma’el came to greet his old teammates from the U18 team.

Seeing them, it’s easy to recall one scene after another at the Korni Training Base, like the laughter in the gym, the reluctance during farewell, and the fun of signing two contracts on the same day.

Back then earning 800 pounds weekly pay felt so joyful, getting 2500 pounds weekly felt like taking off.

Including coming back midway to sign a pay raise, the teammates mimicked how he looked before first leaving, waving and shouting encouragement to bring surprises like before.

You could say, he did it.

He also achieved his goal, returning here in the best shape!

”Congratulations!”

”We are proud of you.”

”We’ll go to the Emirates Stadium to see you play in the second half, haha... you must let us see you score there!”

The U18 players came forward to congratulate him, as the gap widened, they gradually didn’t view Ma’el as having the same ’youth player’ identity as them, naturally, the complex emotions faded.

Now, looking at Ma’el, it’s pure admiration and respect, with a bit of pride.

”Thank you, I definitely will.”

Ma’el hugged them one by one, seeing their appearances, he could truly feel how much this year had progressed, experiencing a big change every few months.

”Here they come.....”

Next to the U18 players, a group of kids peeked, seemingly U8-U10 players, curious yet shy to approach.

”Ah....!”

”Ma’el!”

Ma’el went over to pat their heads, the group screamed excitedly, many kids running around chaotically.

Seeing these joyful players, thinking of their endless future, felt wonderful.

Was it due to today’s good mood?

He didn’t think any further, after bidding farewell to these people, he headed to the first-team head coach’s office.

......

Soon after, Ma’el first pushed open the door to Wenger’s office, with Gilbert waiting outside.

”Finally back.”

Wenger and several assistant coaches saw him enter, stood up from their seats, clapping and smiling to welcome his arrival.

At the end of the season’s loan return, there wouldn’t be any special press conference, mostly just the coaching staff’s simple welcome, followed by gathering the players for a brief ceremony before starting training.