From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 154: Chapter 50: Exceptional Crossing? The Best Partner?! Zhongyi Fa Stirs Up Trouble!

”Beep!”

After a brief introduction, the morning training session officially commenced.

With two newcomers joining, Wenger made sure to include various shooting and passing technical drills in this session to observe their performance on the training field.

On the field, there was no need to watch; simply Ma’el’s collection of goals and assists could fill half a match if replayed.

Gilbert’s highlights were fewer, but with good editing skills, it could fill halftime without a problem.

Now, the key is to see where their abilities rank among Arsenal’s star-studded lineup!

”Catch the ball!”

After warming up, Alexander Song and several midfielders positioned themselves at the center circle, and upon receiving passes from the assistants, swept the ball out to the wing.

There, a group of players adept at crossing had been waiting early, sprinting towards the baseline while observing the positioning of teammates for a potential strike and the goalkeeper’s stance.

”Bang! Bang....!”

One after another, the curved crosses flew from both flanks to the center, with Van Persie, Walcott, and others quickly advancing for attacks, sending the ball towards the goal with headers or aerial strikes.

Ma’el quickly noticed Van Persie’s terrifyingly impressive finishing ability in the pressure-free training match; it stood out noticeably...

Whether it was a header, a push shot, or his legendary aerial strike, he always managed to deliver high-quality shots!

As long as the crosses did not land behind him, he could comfortably position himself in the center to finish shots, with a scoring rate of around three goals per four attempts!

This was hardly different from watching his highlight reel up close; the brilliant goals he could conjure up in matches were a regular occurrence in training.

”Terrifying.”

Ma’el remarked while stretching his ankles along the wing, preparing for the upcoming receive-and-cross.

Wenger’s idea of transforming him into an all-around forward was undoubtedly just a preliminary thought; he couldn’t simply place him in the central position for striking right now.

That’s not his current expertise; he still lacks the ability to receive and shield the ball with his back, not to mention scoring from point-blank and headers.

These can be added to the training plan in the future... allowing him to gradually become more comprehensive, edging toward the versatile player archetype just like Ronaldo at Real Madrid or Messi at Barcelona.

Although their styles and emphases differ, their contributions to their teams on the attacking end can truly be called all-around striker deities.

”No rush.”

For now, Ma’el needs to hold his position on the wing well and showcase all his outstanding skills!

In this area, he is indeed confident; with Level 4 precise guidance for crosses and Level 4 foot arch arcs, he can deliver crosses of extremely high quality.

”Catch it, kid!”

A responding call sounded, and Alexander Song’s curved long pass from the midfield was already coming; the drop point was good, the control not too difficult.

Ma’el halted the ball on the outside, glanced at Van Persie’s position in the center, noticing him near the penalty arc, readying to surge into the box.

For some reason, Ma’el felt a sense of security and confidence, seeing a top-tier finisher waiting for his cross; he knew his crossing ability would finally serve a great purpose.

No need to worry about anything else; as long as the quality is high and the placement precise, the other party will definitely have a way to score!

”Bang!”

Ma’el executed the cross with a flick kick, his ankle twitching upwards instantly, sending a fast curved ball speeding towards the center.

In the center, Van Persie had lowered his center of gravity and was ready to receive; he knew that the young man opposite had delivered 27 assists in a single season in the Championship League, suggesting quite commendable proficiency in passing.

But... despite this, when Ma’el’s pass spun above his head, surprise flickered in his eyes.

He hadn’t expected the speed to be this fast, the curve this significant... it almost instantly veered within a step in front of him.

”Can’t catch up!”

Van Persie looked annoyed, knowing this was a pass of extremely high quality, with a significant chance of breaching the opponent’s defense on the field, creating the opportunity to threaten the opponent’s goal.

Had he initiated just one step earlier, he could have comfortably trapped the ball with his chest and pushed it into the corner, or struck powerfully mid-air!

”Wait!”

He suddenly remembered a shooting method, casting his center of gravity forward, leaping as his body was about to hit the ground with explosive force from his toes.

Heaving header!

Van Persie’s body took off, with the final leap connecting with the football at the last moment it flew past him, completing a high-quality leaping header.

His body unfurled like a fish elastically in the air, even utilizing the final core strength to arch his chest and whip his neck for force, amazingly agile, leaving spectators in awe.

”Whoosh!”

The football evaded Szczeny’s hands, entering the corner of the net.

”Oh....!”

”Robin! Going all out even in training?”

”That strike felt so comfortable, my goodness... if only this were in a league match, it could contend for the season’s top five goals.”

Upon getting up from the ground, Van Persie saw several teammates holding their heads in amazement, marveling at his shooting technique.

Yet his gaze was directed at Ma’el turning away on the wing, that seemed.... like a partnership feeling!

”Let’s try again.”