From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Premier League first round ends in disaster! Arsenal wins 5-0 against Newcastle away, with Ma’el, who just finished his Championship loan period at the start of this season, scoring 3 goals, marking a perfect debut!” — Premier League column from BBC

”Championship Demon lands at St James’ Park! Blasts 3 goals! Makes 2 threatening passes! Successfully dribbles past 7 times! Creates 1 yellow card! Rated 9.5 after the match!” — EP Data Network

”This wasn’t a fair match, we played very well, the team firmly controlled the match, and had the chance to equalize or overtake, but the red card affected the match’s course.” — Comments from Alan Pardew’s post-match conference

”Alan Pardew is a very abstract coach, good at dramatic comebacks, mostly at the press conference site. Arsenal’s performance is evident to all, Ma’el gives me hope for this team.” — Tony Adams posts on social media

”.....”

Miscellaneous, Ma’el has seen a few, sometimes feeling secretly pleased, sometimes showing a mocking smile.

The internet is really a good thing, allowing him to see feedbacks from various angles after the match, very interesting.

He then looked through the comments below these reports, especially paying attention to some fans’ avatars marked with the Arsenal and Sheffield United symbols.

”Star of hope!”

”The lighthouse of Arsenal!”

”Divine Lamp!”

”Right foot, left foot, header! All included! A perfect hat-trick, he’s the best-performing Arsenal player on debut!”

”I am a Sheffield person, I watched many of his matches live last season and have some understanding of his abilities.... But to be honest, I still didn’t expect the player to perform at this level in this match.”

”Sheffield United lost 4-1 to Bolton Wanderers this match.... I wish Ma’el was still with us, scoring three goals to even the score.”

”You know what? I fell in love with him in just this one game, whereas it took me half a season to fall in love with Henry!”

”You must protect him well, Arsenal’s future is in his hands!”

”.....”

Closing his phone, Ma’el’s face is full of satisfaction, nothing could be better.... Current team’s fans have come to like you, past team’s fans are missing you.

Sandwiched in between, he feels warmth from both sides, making him feel that last season is worth reminiscing and this season is worth looking forward to.

At this point, the bus drove onto a little road near the Korni Training Base.

Ma’el quickly noticed something was off, this should be a sparsely populated road, yet it is full of parked cars today.

”Honk honk! Honk honk.....!”

Car horns sounded alternately, dozens of cars on the side of the street lit up their lights one after another, lighting up the road. Many people ran down from the cars to the side of the road, waving at them.

”Fans?”

”They came to greet us?”

”Rare sighting!”

”Only happened once last season.”

A burst of noise erupted on the bus, players exclaimed in surprise and opened the curtains to look outside.

Someone even opened the car window, curiously stuck their head out, wanting to hear what fans might say to them at this time.

”Ma’el! Keep it up!”

”Perfect performance!”

”We fell in love with you!”

”You must stay at Arsenal, lead us out of the muddy road!”

”You will be our new lighthouse!”

”Go Ma’el! You bring us hope!”

Fans enthusiastically waved to the bus, obviously, they came here after watching the match broadcast in London, waiting specially..... to express their feelings to the new recruit Ma’el, letting him feel the love of Arsenal’s fans.

”Tsk tsk..... Tsk!”

Sagna pulled up the window, drew the curtain, looking a bit sour, ”All here for Ma’el, huh.”

Alexander Song was also quite envious, leaning back to say: ”It’s only been one game, but it’s the offensive players who quickly gain fans’ love, while we in the back lack that flair.”

Van Persie didn’t speak but also glanced at Ma’el, surely feeling the shock at how quickly Ma’el gained fan support.

”It’s normal.”

Gervinho, also a new recruit, actually understood the scene quite well, ”Ma’el came with high expectations from the start, everyone was watching him.

”And considering how well he played in the first match, the impact on fans was strong, easily winning them over.”

In the back seat, Ma’el didn’t speak, but his expression was quite remarkable, and this feeling of admiration was very pleasant.

He would treasure this.... must understand that without fans’ support, a footballer is nothing.

This is only his first step, he wants to gradually conquer the entire Arsenal fan community, the entire London.

The bus gradually quieted down, as players looked at the car lights outside the windows, envious yet complex.

Up front, Philip turned to the left, wanting to see Mr. Wenger’s reaction.

Only to find Wenger leaning back with eyes closed, a slight smile on his lips, strands of light flashing above his head, each one seeming to bring the old man great enjoyment.

”He must be full of hope,” Philip thought, smiling as he turned away without disturbing.

......

At the same time, at Britannia Stadium, the match between Stoke City and Chelsea has already concluded here.

The then head coach, Boas, walked from the player corridor to the elevator entrance, taking the elevator towards the box area, his face not looking good.

As a young coach dubbed ’Little Mourinho’, he miraculously led his Primeira Liga team Porto to win a Triple Crown last year, earning worldwide acclaim.