From Arsenal to the Ball God

August 13th, just one day left until the new Premier League season kicks off.

The schedule has long been set, with Arsenal having five matches in August: three rounds of the Premier League and two Champions League qualifiers.

Due to Arsenal’s fourth-place finish in the league last season, they don’t automatically qualify for the Champions League group stage this year. They have to play two qualifiers against Serie A’s fourth-place team, Udinese.

The winner advances directly to the group stage, while the loser exits, bidding farewell to this season’s Champions League.

”Focus on the Champions League qualifiers.”

This was the most important thing Wenger said during the meeting on the day before the season began: ”We must participate in the Champions League main event, and the reason should be clear to everyone. I won’t make any other excuses.

”I will conduct extensive rotations during this month’s three Premier League matches, especially in the two rounds before and after the qualifiers. Five matches in 15 days is quite a heavy task, and I don’t want anyone to get injured.”

What he meant was actually quite clear: don’t be overly concerned about the team’s Premier League ranking in August, this is just the start.

This was essentially lowering the players’ psychological expectations in advance, to prevent them from losing confidence in the whole season after seeing possibly low positions on the standings at the end of August.

After the meeting ended, Wenger announced the eighteen-man squad for tomorrow’s first round of the Premier League, without revealing the starting lineup at that time.

This made many people tense... Ma’el was also slightly worried, fearing he might not appear in the season opener.

However, thinking about it, it should be fine. His performance in the warm-up matches was widely recognized, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists, and Wenger had spoken with him many times, hinting at grooming him for a central role.

”Stop overthinking it.”

He focused on other things, went home to pack up, as the team was leaving for the away game this afternoon.

Their opponent in the first round is Newcastle United, a mid-tier Premier League team with a certain level of strength.

Upon returning home, Ma’el’s phone vibrated, indicating an incoming call.

He picked up the phone and saw it was Gilbert’s number; this guy hadn’t called him for a long time.

”Ma’el, there’s an embarrassing thing I must tell you. After bidding farewell to Sheffield United last season, I’m going back this season.”

Gilbert’s voice held some excitement along with a bit of embarrassment, ”Three Premier League teams showed interest in me, but ultimately, Barnet suggested I choose last season’s Sheffield United.

”Their midfield signings this season aren’t very strong, almost the same as last season. When I go there, I might be able to make the starting lineup.”

”That’s great!” Ma’el hadn’t heard his voice for a long time, feeling nostalgic hearing him speak for so long, and remarked, ”How have you been recently, making good progress?”

”It is a good thing, just that after saying goodbye and shedding a few tears, now I’m going back, hahaha.....”

Gilbert’s tone was unchanged, his voice rising slightly: ”Progress has been decent. I hired a physical coach and have been strengthening my power, routinely studying defensive skills and awareness, trying to align myself more with Vieira’s direction.

”Though the improvement is definitely not as great as yours. I saw you in that China warm-up match, it was explosive..... I’m quite jealous that after more than two months, you’ve already scored in front of Robben and Van Persie.

”Is the starting position secured for the new season?”

”It should be solid.” Ma’el didn’t play modest with his friend and laughed: ”See you in the Premier League. I really hope you explode this season in the Premier League, and next season return directly to Arsenal as a starter.”

”I will.”

Gilbert paused briefly and said: ”After all, I set the goal of fighting alongside you before I left. Alright, won’t say more, bye.”

”Bye, waiting for you.”

Ma’el said his final words and hung up the phone, continuing to pack for tomorrow’s match.

After packing, he saw it wasn’t noon yet and calculated in his mind if there were any other matters still needing attention.

The season is about to start, and focus has to be sharpened; it’s best to finish off various trivial matters now.

”Hans.”

Ma’el thought of his U17 team coach, remembered those shoes, and recalled Hans inviting him to come over several times.

He sent Hans a message asking if he was available now, hoping to visit for lunch.

On this day, which marks the next turning point in his life, catching up with someone he has known since the youth team, who helped him when he was most unfortunate, would be nice.

—— ”Set off in half an hour, we’ll get ready, most welcome!!!”

Hans almost instantly replied to his message and ended with three exclamation marks, his excitement palpable even through the screen.

Ma’el smiled, set his phone aside, and tuned into a soccer match replay on TV, studying the playing style of other top forwards.

Half an hour later, he got into his Ferrari and headed to the address Hans provided, near a residential area at Korni Base.

......

”Here he comes!”

Outside Hans’s home, when people saw a red Ferrari approaching from afar, many showed expressions of excitement.

Inviting an Arsenal first-team player home for a meal, especially one who’s been highly anticipated and has such popularity, is undoubtedly an exhilarating thing for ordinary people.

”He’s Wenger’s favored player.”

With a proud look, Hans introduced him to friends and family he had invited over, ”Arsenal’s unsellable asset, a Championship phenomenon, who, in a recent friendly against Bayern Munich, scored 2 goals and provided 2 assists!