From Arsenal to the Ball God

”The team is about to start its China tour.”

He got straight to the point, introducing, ”We will play two friendly matches there, the first against Bayern Munich and the second against Boca Juniors.”

”Prepare well, we’re leaving the day after tomorrow. These should be the only two friendly matches before the season starts.”

As he finished speaking, the Arsenal players’ eyes lit up, and many faces showed strong excitement and eagerness, including Ma’el.

As someone who has traveled from China in 2024, he hasn’t returned to his hometown in a long time.

During the season, he’s busy with matches, and in the offseason, he’s busy with training... And even if he went back, there’s no one to see. Besides wandering the streets alone, there’s nothing else to do.

This time, taking the opportunity of the team’s China tour, going back seems like a good thing.

He’s long wanted to play a match in his homeland, feel the passion of Chinese fans, and listen to his native language’s commentators critique his game!

Not to mention, he might have the chance to wear Arsenal’s jersey and face the world’s top club, Bayern Munich!

In this era, Bayern Munich, with stars like Lam, Robben, Ribery, and Schweinsteiger, is definitely a strong contender for the Champions League title every year.

Facing them?

This is the perfect opportunity to test his current abilities and see how he performs when facing a strong team!

”Ma’el.”

After training, Wenger called Ma’el over, signaling for him to come to the office.

Ma’el followed him inside and found Wenger sitting in front of the familiar tactics board again... He smiled slightly and stepped closer.

”You’ll be the starter.”

Wenger spoke with determination, moving the tactics board, ”The match against Bayern Munich should not be treated as just a friendly; it should be seen as a critical match to test real ability. Understand?”

”That’s exactly what I was thinking,” Ma’el replied with a smile, secretly clenching his fist. Starting in such a match is surely an exciting experience.

”The formation will be 4-3-3.”

Wenger adjusted the tactics board, getting the left winger piece, ”You will be the left winger for the team, not required to track back and defend. After everyone retreats, you and Van Persie will stay upfront.

”At times, your position may need to be closer to the center, and you may occasionally need to drop back to receive the ball.

”Of course, this varies according to the situation on the field. You can also stay on the wing and wait for opportunities; the choice is yours.”

Wenger closed the tactics board and added, ”This is an experimental approach to test our real level, but don’t focus too much on winning or losing. Just play to your strengths.”

”Understood,” Ma’el nodded slightly, standing by to listen to Wenger, waiting for him to continue speaking.

But Wenger didn’t say anything for a while. The two awkwardly glanced at each other and then pretended to be a bit busy themselves, one packing the tactics board and the other scratching their head.

”Anything else?”

Ma’el asked proactively, thinking Wenger had more instructions for him.

”That’s it.”

Wenger waved his hand, signaling that Ma’el could leave. Just as Ma’el reached the door, Wenger called him back: ”Ma’el, make sure to adjust your state well and show your highest level.

”Let the world see your ability, and let Arsenal fans understand the caliber of the player standing on the left wing of the team in the new season.”

Ma’el turned back with a smile, nodding heavily, ”I will.”

......

On the morning of July 28, after more than ten hours of flying, the entire Arsenal team arrived at the Capital International Airport.

The airplane door slowly opened, and Wenger, along with the coaching staff, got off the plane with large bags, still half-asleep, as it was the early morning in London time.

”Click, click!” The flashbulbs of the media photographers flashed furiously, capturing the freshest first-hand photos. Nowadays, getting both Arsenal and Bayern, two European giants, in the same place is not easy.

Don’t be fooled by Arsenal’s honors being less than Bayern Munich in major tournaments; its Chinese fan base is enormous, not losing to Bayern.

Dozens of journalists stood on both sides of the plane’s stairs, pushing in with microphones towards Wenger.

”Mr. Wenger, talk about the upcoming match. Will new signing Gervinho make his debut?”

”Can you tell us about Fabregas? To what extent has his conflict with the team intensified?”

”The team’s 17-year-old young general, Ma’el, performed outstandingly in the Championship League. Will he get playing time in these two friendly matches?”

Wenger paused to answer a few simple questions, bypassing those that were clearly hard to answer.

Behind him, Ma’el disembarked with the club-issued suitcase, taking in a few breaths of fresh air, listening to the standard Chinese around him, a sense of familiarity flooding in.

He turned his gaze, scanning around, with an uncontrollable urge to speak his native language surging through him.

It’s been so long since I’ve been back...

However, he restrained this urge, knowing that for the first time in this life on this land, it would be best not to cause unnecessary trouble.

In the future, he could operate his social media account here well and strive to come back whenever possible to sit with Chinese Arsenal fans.

Ma’el followed the team, boarded the prepared bus with the Arsenal team logo, and drove out of the airport, heading onto the city’s roads.

”We are Arsenal... and we are invincible!!”

On both sides of the street, many fans wearing Arsenal jerseys spotted them and immediately rushed forward holding jerseys, singing the widely circulated lyrics.

”Go Arsenal!”

”Van Persie! I love you!”

”Arshavin, play well, and stop going out for drinks every other day!”

”Professor! Mr. Wenger! Look at me, look at me, over here!!”

They were extremely enthusiastic, with some even chasing after the team’s bus, excitedly greeting the players onboard.

Most of the Arsenal players lay back in their seats and fell asleep, while Ma’el, full of energy, watched them, seeing for a long time.

He was determined to perform well on home soil, bring an exciting game to Chinese Arsenal fans!

He didn’t want to lose face here, and the excitement had already surged in his heart from this moment on.