From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Alright.” Ma’el waved goodbye to him, sat in the Ferrari, and drove home.

Just now, he managed to put his mind at ease by having a conversation with his ’past self’, reflecting on the gains and losses of the past year, and talking about recent events.

Now, he was about to embark on a brand new life; the top league was waiting just ahead of him!

......

At night, Arsenal’s bus stopped in front of a hotel in Newcastle City.

Ma’el and Van Persie got off the bus together, carrying their luggage into the hotel, seeing quite a few Arsenal fans who had already traveled to this away game along the streets.

”Have they decided on your number?” Van Persie asked, thinking about the game tomorrow.

”Yes, they have.”

Ma’el nodded. After returning from China, he confirmed his number for the new season with Wenger; he would wear number 11, a typical winger’s number.

”That’s good.” Van Persie took a couple of steps, hesitated, then turned and asked, ”I heard you’re about to renew your contract with the club?”

”Yes.” Ma’el answered honestly, it was indeed imminent, ”The basic term and salary have been agreed upon, the signing bonus is yet to be discussed, but I estimate there might be some changes in the end.”

”I also think there might be changes.”

Being older and more experienced, Van Persie said in a low voice, ”The contract negotiated before playing in the Premier League may not be completed as it is after your Premier League debut. I estimate it will change based on your performance.

”If you perform poorly, then you’ll sign as it is. If you perform well, then they will increase the term, salary, and signing bonus.

”Moreover, after playing against Bayern Munich, your value is no longer the same as before. You should feel it clearly; your agent and Mr. Wenger seem to have put this on hold.”

Ma’el nodded, acknowledging his statement. Mendes indeed hadn’t contacted him recently, as if waiting for something.

”That’s still possible.”

Van Persie glanced around, then lowered his voice even more, ”Some clubs might limit a player’s playing opportunities before renewal to prevent the player from performing too brilliantly and demanding a high price.”

Ma’el looked up at him; this was a sensitive statement.

Fortunately, before he could speak, Van Persie smiled and explained, ”But Arsenal won’t do that; the team values sincerity, and with the salary structure in place, any increase won’t be too outrageous.”

Saying that, the two had already stepped into the elevator and headed towards their rooms on the seventh floor.

”Ma’el.”

Before parting, Van Persie patted Ma’el on the shoulder, encouraging him, ”All Arsenal supporters are looking forward to you, including Mr. Wenger, including me. One good performance in a warm-up match is not enough.

”The Premier League is about to start; I hope you can deliver a satisfactory answer for yourself and meet others’ expectations in these 38 league matches.

”Looking forward to working with you, and remember to pass to me, haha....”

Ma’el didn’t reply, but just smiled slightly. He could feel Van Persie’s anticipation for the new season and for him.

He cheered himself up internally, knowing he was ready to step onto the Premier League stage tomorrow.

When he initially only had long shots, he jokingly told Gilbert that he would use long shots to strike Bramall Lane.

Now, he had acquired many, many skills, and many of them were executed with excellent ’curved’ footwork.

He could certainly set a small goal for himself in his heart: tomorrow, use a beautiful curve across the sky of St James’ Park Stadium and smash it into the net!!

......

August 14th, the day of the match had arrived.

”Newcastle! Newcastle....!!”

At three in the afternoon, St James’ Park Stadium, which could accommodate over fifty thousand spectators, was bustling with excitement. Newcastle United fans dressed in black and white stripes gradually filled the seats.

This is a traditional strong team that had a standout performance around the millennium but gradually declined due to a lack of funds and some internal changes.

However, it undeniably has a vast global fan base; the team’s season ticket sales have even lined up four years in advance.

Inside the stadium, in Arsenal’s locker room.

Wenger was making the final arrangements, writing on the tactical board and announcing the starting lineup for this league round, ”Szczeny, Gibbs, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Sagna.

”Alexander Song, Frimpong, Ramsey, Ma’el, Van Persie, Gervinho.”

As his voice fell, some people remained calm, some were delighted, and some showed immediate disappointment.

It was almost the same as the lineup against Bayern Munich!

Wenger chose to trust the newbies in the season opener, putting in a brand new attacking combination!

Ma’el put his head down to wear his shin pads, his heart stirring with excitement, a rush of excitement surging from his chest.

First start after returning!

Premier League debut!

Moreover, Wenger’s trust in him was evident, with Frimpong supporting him in the starting lineup!

”Kids.”

Wenger briefly talked about tactics, then signaled everyone to stand up, and finally clapped his hands, shouting, ”Newcastle United is a tough opponent, but we need to take them down to have a good start to the season!

”Come on! Arsenal!!”

”Come on.....!!”

”Let’s do this!”

”I’m ready to show them what we’ve got, I’m going to silence St James’ Park!”

The players encouraged each other, talking boisterously while riding the wave of excitement, as if it could boost their confidence to step onto the pitch.

”Clap clap....!” Ma’el clapped his hands vigorously, his emotions already aroused, as his first Premier League match was about to begin in his life.

He had to seize the moment!

”Oh.....!” Accompanying his teammates out, he reached the player tunnel of St James’ Park, already faintly hearing the fans’ thrilling cheers outside.

”Beep beep!”

As the referee blew the whistle for the entrance, both teams’ players stepped out towards the field, and the scene turned fervent from that moment.

Ma’el walked step by step out of the player tunnel, across the smooth floor, and onto the soft turf.... At the very moment he stepped out of the tunnel, he saw a Premier League team’s home stadium from this perspective for the first time.

”Newcastle! Newcastle....!!”

”Oh....!!”

Home fans shouted the team name in unison, with cheers erupting thereafter; their vigor was astonishing, indicating they had been eagerly waiting for the new season.

They waved their flags large and small in hand, soon unfurling a banner stretching across the entire North Stand, which was impressive.

”Come on!”

Looking at this scene, Ma’el’s pores fully opened, clenching his fist with passion for self-motivation.

Premier League debut..... Arsenal league debut..... First official match in a ’professional stadium’ with over fifty thousand people..... So many firsts, he must perform well and strive to make it a more memorable day!

After the pre-match ceremony, he went to his position, bounced a few times to keep his body warm.

”Beep!”

At half-past three in the afternoon, the referee raised his right hand, blowing the opening whistle for the first round of the 11-12 Premier League season.

The new season had arrived!