From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 272: Chapter 85: Outlook on All Fronts! Aerial Strike Makes Its Mark! Classic Celebration Move!

On September 21, the third round of the English League Cup kicked off, marking the official start of Arsenal’s three-front battle.

This encompasses all their competitions in the first half of the season, with the FA Cup starting in January of the second half of the season, leading to a four-front competition.

Inside the villa, Ma’el and four team members were watching the live broadcast of the match together.

Unexpectedly, in the 16th minute of the game, the opposing forward James Collins intercepted the ball from substitute goalkeeper Fabianski’s feet and scored the first goal.

”Ah....”

Seeing Wenger’s anxious appearance on camera, Ma’el sighed lightly, his expression a bit tense, as he didn’t want to lose a competition this early.

”Is the English League Cup important?” Safina asked upon seeing the situation, ”Do you want to fight for the championship in this competition?”

Ma’el nodded in confirmation and explained, ”The team is playing on four fronts, and if we want a championship, the FA Cup and the English League Cup are essential tournaments.

”The Premier League and the Champions League are very challenging, and each presents different difficulties; no one can guarantee the team a chance to win these two season championships.

”Of course, I cannot admit defeat before fighting, as I will not stop pursuing higher honors.... But I am well aware of the difficulty.

”At this point, if we secure at least one championship in the FA Cup or English League Cup, it sets the season’s baseline for the team.”

Next to him, Davis, who has served as a physical coach at Primeira Liga clubs, nodded slightly, agreeing with the idea.

He recalled the English League Cup schedule and added, ”Furthermore, within the English professional system, the championship match in the English League Cup comes earlier than others.

”If I remember correctly, the finals of this competition happen at the end of February in the second half of the season at Wembley Stadium.

”It’s the best fallback option, as its championship contention comes three months earlier than other tournaments.”

”Yes.” Harry also agreed, having served as a physiotherapist for Premier League teams with Safina, ”If we can win a championship by the end of February, the team will have extraordinary confidence and morale for the next three months.

”This will enhance the team’s combat power on other fronts, and should there be other ongoing competitions, everyone will push for the Double Crown or even.... the Triple Crown.”

At the last part, his voice had some hesitation, apparently not believing Arsenal could contend for all three competition championships.

The last time this team won a championship dates back to the 04-05 season when Wenger’s team won the FA Cup.

Since then, they have often come close to winning the FA Cup and English League Cup, but invariably lost the finals.

Even though the team’s combat power has somewhat strengthened this season, with an impressive start to the new season..... It seems evident that they lack the capability to contend for more than two championships.

”Moreover.....”

Ma’el, staring at the TV screen, smiled faintly: ”If the team wins the English League Cup championship, I will trigger at least a million-pound bonus clause for championships, and that’s just the surface; there are other benefits too.

”One cannot deny the importance of money to a player, and I also want to buy this 12 million-pound house sooner and invest in ins with 10 million US Dollars by season’s end.”

The other four shook their heads without saying anything, as there was nothing to discuss with the boss on such matters.

Ma’el’s earning speed was probably unbeatable even if the four of them combined multiplied by ten.

”Gibbs!”

In the 35th minute of the match, everybody suddenly stood up, watching left-back Gibbs dribble and charge into the penalty area.

This silent and diligent defender took charge at this moment, equalizing the score with a steady shot!

One to one!

”Oh.....!” The five in the villa cheered immediately, exchanging high-fives and hugs, exhaling deeply.

After this, the game was entirely controlled by Arsenal, with their attacks growing ever more fierce, and their ball control rate soaring from 68% to 80%.

This is quite an astounding figure in football matches, and from the game’s broadcast perspective, you couldn’t even notice Shrewsbury’s ball possession.

”Boom!!”

In the 58th minute of the game, Chamberlain scored with a mighty long shot that opened Shrewsbury’s goal again, giving the team a lead.

Over ten minutes later, substitute forward Shamakh received Chamberlain’s pass and scored with a low shot.

Three to one!

We’ve got it!

”Beautiful!”

When the referee blew the whistle to end the game, Ma’el stood up again, celebrating with the team staff as the team advanced to the fourth round.

Also known as the round of 16.

This battle for a spot in the quarter-finals will kick off next month.

”Winning with rotation really feels great.”

All the tension on Ma’el’s face disappeared, leaving only satisfaction, ”Without much effort, we’ve taken a step forward with the team.”

”Haha....”

Harry laughed twice and, recalling Ma’el mentioning ’rotation,’ asked, ”You kept saying you needed to find a personal doctor after coming to London; any news?”

The other three turned their heads, having built good relationships collaborating with Ma’el, learning a lot from each other.

As experts in various fields, they understood the significance of professional knowledge and were eager to magnify it.

If a competent doctor joined, they expected to absorb plenty of knowledge again.

”I’ve been too busy with the new season to manage it yet.”

Indeed, Ma’el had set this matter aside for a while and, after calculating the time, said, ”Let’s aim to get this done in the first half of the season.”