From Arsenal to the Ball God

”I still have 1 goal and 1 assist here.”

Arteta didn’t want to end the topic, and continued with a smile, ”It’s a wonderful feeling, I hope you can feel it today.”

Ma’el nodded, and after hearing the referee blow the whistle, stepped into the bustling Old Trafford.

Already filled with fans, the place appeared extremely grand.... Due to its single-tier stand design, all the fans were crammed together, countless heads staring in your direction in one glance.

Today’s fans were all standing to watch the game, no one sat on the seats, which was typical for a heated match.

”Three to zero!”

”Four to one!!”

”Five to zero!!”

”Shut them out!”

Just stepping out of the tunnel, Manchester United fans on both sides raised their fists and started shouting their expected scores, cheering for the players and boosting their own confidence in watching the game.

Ma’el glanced back at them. If nothing had changed... they could actually shout more boldly.

But he was already standing there, and his biggest desire was to help the club he played for and loved to change all of this, striving to let the team walk out of Old Trafford with heads held high.

Even if they fail, they must save face and defend the team’s dignity.

After completing the pre-match ceremony and standing in position, Ma’el glanced to the side at the classic scene while waiting for the whistle.

Wenger in a black suit with a dark red tie and Ferguson in a coat stood together, very close, staring seriously at the field, waiting for the game to start.

Nobody knows how many times they have met, and how many matches they have accompanied each other through, nor how many times they have argued.

In short, Ma’el joined their rivalry as a player, joining the most classic Premier League duel in the early 21st century, which must be an important moment in his career.

He will continue to move forward, joining more legendary historical tapestries, leaving his mark in more classic moments, recording his name along with these immortal legends.

He will also alter the original history, changing the fate of countless people, leaving a new story.

”Beep!!”

At 3:30 in the afternoon, with a whistle from the referee, the match officially began!

...

”Bang!”

Nani kicked off from the center circle, and Rooney dribbled a few steps before passing it back to Phil Jones, who then pushed it horizontally to Smolin.

Ma’el and Van Persie quickly crossed the midfield line, starting a press on their backfield, and Walcott soon caught up.

In the broadcasting room, Zhan Jun put on the headset, adjusted slightly and started the commentary, ”Alright, the showdown of the third round of the Premier League has begun! Zhan Jun here to bring you the live commentary of this match!

”Today, ESPN has invited an important guest, the deputy general manager of the Guoan Team, Zhang Lu, to partner with me.”

”Aye.” Zhang Lu’s voice was very distinctive, frequently appearing in the broadcast room as a tactical analyst.

”.....”

”Let’s first look at the starting lineup, for Arsenal, goalkeeper Szczesny, the defensive line from left to right, Gibbs, Koscielny, Mertesacker, Sagna.

”Vermaelen is reportedly absent due to injury, or perhaps Wenger opted for a sturdier German defender for this match.”

”On the midfield, Arteta, Alexander Song, Ramsey, with one new signing.

”The forward line is quite impactful, left winger Ma’el, center forward Van Persie, right winger Walcott.”

”.....”

”For Manchester United, goalkeeper De Gea, the defensive line from left to right, Ashley Young, Evra, Evans, Smolin, Phil Jones.

”In the midfield, Anderson partners with Cleverley, opting for more of a sweeping style.

”On the front line, Welbeck on the left, Rooney in the center, and on the right, is Nabuchadnezzar Nani.”

”Hmm....” Zhang Lu appeared briefly, but this time he said a couple of words, ”However, we can see from this, Manchester United’s backfield style today involves spreading the two center-backs widely.

”At most, Phil Jones is standing a bit further forward on the flank, while Evra and Ashley Young are nowhere to be seen.

”One advances to the defensive midfield position, and the other charges directly to the front, playing quite aggressively, not paying special attention to Arsenal’s focal points.”

...

On the field, Ma’el moved with the team’s overall formation, occasionally rushing to the middle to harass Manchester United’s backfield players holding the ball.

His presence reduced the ball distribution to United’s backfield right side, with Phil Jones standing as a passing point on the flank, nearly wasted.

”Stick to him during ball control!”

Sir Alex Ferguson quickly gestured to Phil Jones, instructing him to stick close to Ma’el.

Ma’el quickly felt some pressure, as Phil Jones stuck to him like strong glue, constantly making physical contact with him.

He pretended to run a few times with side turns, and the opponent immediately followed, seemingly willing to exhaust every effort to cling onto him.

He didn’t mind for now, just allowing him to stick.

After all, it wasn’t yet the team’s turn to control the ball; he would think of a way to shake him off later.... He didn’t believe Phil Jones could keep him down.

Ma’el raised his left arm against Phil Jones’ chest, turning his head to observe the situation in the team’s mid-backfield.

The struggle near the midfield zone was extraordinarily intense from the outset, with neither side willing to give an inch, contesting fiercely upon direct confrontation.

”Snap!”

First, Arteta pounced from behind, snatching Anderson’s mid-high pass meant for Cleverley, and promptly sent it to Ramsey on the other side.