From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 217: Chapter 69: The Signing of a New Contract! Astronomical Signing Bonus! Premier League Round 2 Against Liverpool! (Part 2)

After completing the afternoon training with the team, Ma’el didn’t see Arteta’s presence, presumably still dealing with various procedures in the administration building.

He heard from his teammates that Wenger brought him from Everton for 12 million Euros, the same as Gervinho’s transfer fee.

”The next opponent is Liverpool.”

In the locker room, Philip replaced Wenger and spoke about the pre-match analysis for the upcoming game, ”Dalglish’s team is very stable, and all lines on the field have decent strength, but they also have weaknesses.

”Their center back Kagura is older, his physique is not what it used to be, and he is the biggest shortcoming in the team’s defense.

”We can look for more breakthrough opportunities on his side; after a few rounds of assault, he most likely won’t be able to withstand it, giving us opportunities.”

”Next is Jose Enrique, a left defender who likes to attack. If we can effectively accelerate our offensive and defensive transitions, he most likely won’t be able to defend in time.”

At this point, he turned his head to look at Ma’el, regrettably saying: ”Unfortunately, the right defender you’ll be facing is the strong point in their defense line. Compared to other offensive players, your pressure will be greater.”

Arsenal’s players smiled and turned to look at Ma’el, wanting to see how Ma’el would react.

Unexpectedly, he chuckled softly and calmly said, ”I will crush him and make him a shortcoming too.”

”Haha.....” Laughter erupted in the locker room, with Sagna and others whistling a few times; they really liked this competitive attitude.

”Crush him!”

”Make him turn into Raphinha!”

”Martin Kelly? Toy!”

”We believe in you!”

Ma’el confidently raised his eyebrows, though deep down he wasn’t careless; this would be his first face-off against a big 6 team since joining Arsenal.

Despise the enemy strategically, value the enemy tactically.

......

On the morning of August 20th, the signing day arrived, and this time the signing location was chosen at Emirates Stadium.

Since he returned on loan and quickly met the offseason, Ma’el hadn’t had the chance to take official photos at the Emirates Stadium, so he took this opportunity to make up for it.

”Do you remember that photo?”

Wenger walked alongside Ma’el through the stadium interior, smiling: ”I just finished my coaching period in Japan, sitting on the stands at Highbury Stadium, leaving a picture of me smiling.

”I was young then; my hair was longer than it is now, wearing a tie that was quite popular in the nineties, and there wasn’t any worry on my face, haha.....”

Of course, Ma’el remembered, he even recalled a comparison photo of Wenger’s departure, always cherished by Arsenal fans.

”I hope you can also leave such a photo, leaving your mark at Emirates Stadium.”

Wenger pointed to Emirates Stadium, envisioning: ”Highbury has become the past; the new Emirates Stadium belongs to young talents like you.

”Maybe the photo you leave here will also be legendary; it will be known by all Arsenal fans.”

”Alright.” Ma’el agreed and said, ”Then I will sit in the stands and pose the same way.”

Wenger chuckled, approving of the photo pose, as the photo he left back then was indeed handsome.

Ma’el followed Wenger, gradually walking out of the player tunnel and entered the splendid Emirates Stadium; he saw Wenger’s hunched back, glancing around he seemed to be slightly sentimental.

This was a stadium he personally built to enhance the club’s influence, with better facilities, selling more tickets, bringing in tens of millions of pounds in ticket revenue each year.

But all of this came at the cost of the club’s performance, the sorrow of selling captains year after year, and his exhaustion.

”Sit on the opposite side.”

Wenger turned around, forcing a smile; he didn’t want to have a gloomy face on such a day, ”There’s sunshine there, a better view.”

Ma’el nodded and followed him, quickly reaching the other side of the stadium; after going to the 13th row, he sat down, leaning back, and placed both hands on the adjacent seats.

”Click, click!” The club photographer quickly captured photos of him, and these photos would be published on various reports by the media tomorrow, with no worry about them getting lost.

Standing behind the photographer, Wenger looked at Ma’el through the lens, yearningly smiling: ”I hope this is the beginning of a legendary story.”

”I hope so too.”

Ma’el left the seat and, under the photographer’s instructions, went to many places, leaving many photos.

After finishing, he went with Wenger to a media room within the stadium to prepare for the signing there.

”There’s nothing else.”

In front of over a dozen cameras, Wenger signed his name in many places on the contract, stood up, and slowly extended his right hand towards Ma’el: ”Looking forward to working together.”

After Ma’el signed his name, he felt a surge of excitement; he stood up and extended his hand, ”Looking forward to working together.”

He saw hope in Wenger’s eyes, a very strong sense of hope.....a bit of last-ditch belief and expectation.

Let’s wait..... As his strength continues to grow, he will surely be able to help Arsenal conquer a territory!

Afterwards, facing media reporters’ interviews, Ma’el thought for a long time and left a sentence: ”I came here with a championship, and I will never leave empty-handed; I will bring honor to this club.”

”Papapapa.” Wenger sat beside him filled with emotions, only constantly clapping his hands, slowly raising his head and chest, slowly revealing a genuine smile.

......

That afternoon, without much time to rejoice, Ma’el put on his jersey and headed to the Korni Training Base, joined his teammates, and took the bus to Emirates Stadium.