From Arsenal to the Ball God

After this goal, Ma’el was substituted by Chamberlain, and Ramsey was later replaced by Jenkinson.

Wenger strengthened the defense in the midfield and backfield, avoiding any last-minute counterattacks from Manchester United that might change the outcome of the match.

”Ma...el! Ma’el...!”

As he exited the field, Ma’el heard the traveling Arsenal fans in a corner of the stands singing a familiar tune.

”Bum bum bum bum....! I have a friend who drives a Pagani (Bugatti) on the sidelines and dances a swan dance on the defender line....!”

The fans embraced each other, jumping haphazardly, singing and bouncing. After a while, they found it insufficiently satisfying and, imitating the earlier Manchester United fans, turned their backs to the field in celebration.

This was a Poznan-style celebration, an old tradition in the Premier League, done by fans of many teams.

Given the four-four scoreline, it seemed a bit inappropriate to face away from the field.

But today was different; this was a match against Manchester United, a game to thwart Ferguson at Old Trafford.....Despite the strong form of Manchester United’s players, they still had a chance to secure a point.

With this calculation, after three hard-fought rounds in August, Arsenal would likely earn 7 points!

Perfect start!

Naturally, they have this brilliant debut in the first three rounds, with 5 goals and 2 assists, in the Premier League, to thank for!

”Ha ha.....” As Ma’el left the field, he smiled contentedly, turning to wave at the stands, a curtain call gesture he seemed to make at every match.

He couldn’t help it, as he had played quite well in these initial Premier League matches, and the fans gave him their most passionate support each time.

The key was to maintain this level of excitement and condition, continuing to strive towards improving personal ability and pursuing field honors, leaving something behind for this over a year.

”Hi!” Sagna waved to him from the other side, tapping his chest proudly and smiling: ”Look at them, this is my handiwork!”

Ma’el smiled and gave him a thumbs-up, as Sagna had vowed to popularize this Song of Ma’el, and it seemed he had initially succeeded.

”Keep it up!”

After leaving the field, Ma’el clapped hands with Chamberlain on the center circle extension line, encouraging this new signing making his Premier League debut for Arsenal.

He then walked over to join Wenger, and the two exchanged a smiling high-five, not saying much but sincerely.

”Well done.”

”Perfect!”

”Old Trafford will remember you.”

Ma’el also high-fived the players and coaches on the bench, celebrating briefly before sitting down to rest.

He soon saw Ferguson bring on the legendary Giggs, Mexican attacker Hernandez, and Korean international Park Ji-sung for a final push at home.

But their appearance didn’t contribute much; instead, because of unsteady defending, Arsenal launched several highly threatening counterattacks, almost generating an opposite effect.

”Beep! Beep! Beep—!”

Finally, the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the match, with both sides ending in a four-all draw at Old Trafford.

No more changes!

Arsenal wrapped August with two wins and a draw in the Premier League and knocked out Udinese over two qualifying legs, starting the season on a good note!

”Clap clap clap.....!” Ma’el stood up again, applauding and celebrating with everyone on the bench, closing the month on a perfectly rounded note.

Four-four!

They held the defending champions Manchester United to a draw at their home turf, securing a point!

The disaster had disappeared... They had successfully overcome a formidable peak, one that had in the past often caused them to fall into the abyss!

This would give them immense confidence, providing them with courage to face the thorns over the remaining 16 matches of the first half!

Ma’el exhaled deeply, lingering inside Old Trafford for quite some time before Wenger called him to join him at the post-match press conference.

Ahead of them, Ferguson swept away, striding quickly towards the dressing room, clearly unhappy with the match result.

...

”No doubt, we have a new outlook, with the team appearing in various competitions in a new state.”

In the conference room, Wenger answered questions vibrantly with a smile on his lips: ”We almost perfectly completed this month’s fixtures, with 4 wins and 1 draw, a very good performance. I hope this can bring us good luck for the season.”

”Could you talk about what good luck means for a team?” A reporter poked the microphone towards him with a smile.

”In many aspects.”

Wenger was more patient, as people in a good mood often are, ”I hope for fewer setbacks... Fewer injuries to key players, fewer club changes, maintaining harmony and confidence, etc.

”But I know, every season is very difficult, and nothing will develop exactly as you wish... We must remain focused and face every challenge optimistically.”

”.....”

”Since Ma’el joined the Premier League, he has played three matches and performed outstandingly... How do you perceive the Premier League?”

The camera turned to Ma’el, and many microphones aimed at him. He organized his words and answered earnestly: ”As Mr. Wenger said, it’s a league filled with intense competition and challenges.

”For me, it’s more like a long and arduous path... Along the way, there are many stumbling blocks and towering peaks; you must attempt to overcome them, moving yourself and the team forward.

”The whole process is full of surprises. You might sprain your foot on a small stone or feel intimidated by the towering peaks that lie ahead.