From Arsenal to the Ball God

”He’s got a problem with his brain!”

”Hurry up and leave, I just fear he might leave too late! Leave some extra transfer funds so Wenger can buy more players next season, I’m quite looking forward to Ma’el.”

As expected, most Arsenal fans expressed their support for this matter, only a small portion condemned Ma’el’s actions, probably fans of Fabregas.

This issue gradually passed, and the turmoil slowly subsided.

However... the image of Arsenal’s two mavericks is definitely rooted in the fans’ minds and will never leave.

After the incident, their names became more known, and many people want to follow the performances of these two ’fearless’ young players in the new season.

......

The next day, Ma’el and Gilbert received a call from an assistant coach at the hotel, informing them they were suspended from training for a week.

This was essentially a symbolic punishment... It could be seen as an early vacation for them, as it was exactly 7 days until June 1st.

”Ma’el.”

On the way to additional training on the field, Gilbert turned and asked: ”Do you think Mr. Wenger will support us?”

”Probably not.”

Ma’el shook his head; after all, Wenger had been with Fabregas for eight years, he couldn’t feel comfortable about this, ”But he doesn’t oppose us either; you can tell from the degree of punishment.”

”I think so too.” Gilbert smiled faintly, his face slightly red, recalling how he cried yesterday when angered by Fabregas; he still felt a bit embarrassed.

How could he have been so cowardly at the time?

Just because the opponent was a superstar?

Looking back now, fighting back wasn’t a big deal... Gilbert patted the football, his expression becoming serious, recalling the insulting words from Fabregas yesterday.

”Ma’el.”

He turned around again, this time very earnest: ”I don’t believe what Fabregas said is true; I don’t believe I could never reach his level.

”Although you might think so too, I can’t and won’t think this way; one must have aspirations.

”Starting today, I will train harder, using Fabregas as my target!”

He swore to himself, setting this goal, then smiled: ”You keep it up too.”

”I will.”

Ma’el patted his shoulder, feeling that Gilbert was different now, ”Have you decided? Going on loan or staying here?”

”I’ve decided.”

Gilbert hooked his arm around Ma’el’s shoulder, solemnly saying: ”I want to go on loan; I need lots of match opportunities, I need to be polished in high-level games!”

”Only this way can I improve faster; I can’t just think about being a substitute at Arsenal.”

”When are you planning to leave?” Ma’el asked again, sensing that Gilbert was telling him he’d be leaving soon.

”I’ll leave when the off-season begins.”

Gilbert had prepared in advance, running his hand through his hair: ”I want to venture out alone; being with you all the time gives a sense of comfort that comes from being with a best friend, which I don’t want.”

”Now I have enough money, I want to choose a coastal city, train and run on the beach under the sunshine, hire a few private coaches, and comprehensively enhance my capabilities.”

”Go for it.” Ma’el nodded in support of this decision.

”Will you miss me?” Gilbert gazed up at the sky, jokingly asking.

They’ve been inseparable for a long time, experiencing many things together; just yesterday, they were fighting world-class stars side by side—their bond couldn’t be stronger.

”Saying goodbye before leaving.”

Ma’el looked at him with a smile, tossing a football into an empty pitch, ”What’s the rush, train with me for another week.”

Under the sunlight, the two began running on the training field once more, sometimes laughing and sometimes frustrated, sometimes clapping in celebration, and sometimes chasing each other.

Until sunset, they sat at the edge of the pitch, sweating profusely, hydrating together, and staring at the sky in a daze.