From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 279: Chapter 87: September Ends! Time for a Summary! Ma’el’s Goals! Pressure on Aguero and Rooney!

”Swipe!” After entering the penalty area, Chamberlain opted to meet the ball with a low shot, and the football finally rolled into the far corner of the goal, hitting the side netting.

One to zero!

Arsenal leads at home!

”Yeah.....!!” The Emirates Stadium erupted with a grand roar, tens of thousands of fans cheered passionately in celebration.

They’ve really had a great week, with three consecutive home games on three entirely different fronts.

If they can win them all, their smiles would reach the skies.

”Chamberlain!”

”Ma’el!”

”Go Arsenal!”

Wenger stood below clapping, simply celebrating, his expression filled with joy, as if he already saw the Coach of the Month waving to him.

”Thank you!”

On the field, Chamberlain didn’t run towards the sideline to celebrate, but instead went to Ma’el’s side to express gratitude, his eyes filled with tears of excitement, ”My first Champions League match, my first Champions League goal!

”My dream has come true... I thought it would take a long time, but didn’t expect last year after playing in the English First Division, I’d be able to collaborate with you this year.”

Ma’el patted Chamberlain’s head; he’s also a player from ’93, of the same age, arriving at this team with equal promise.

Speaking of which, the opponent’s resume is somewhat similar to his own... One helped the Championship team to promote to the Premier League, one helped the English First Division team to the Championship, and both were selected for the best team at the end of the season.

It’s just that Chamberlain is far behind in other aspects.

Seeming to realize this, Chamberlain made a vow when hugging Ma’el, ”Two years ago, I was arrogant, until a year ago when I saw your performance and stats at Sheffield United, then I gradually calmed down.

”This year I understand your gap even more, but I still want to set a goal... I want to strive to achieve half of your stats by the end of the season!”

”I hope you can achieve even more.” Ma’el patted his back, other teammates quickly arrived, and the two were swiftly surrounded by joy.

...

After this goal, Arsenal’s offensive continued unabated, seemingly seeking the chance to pin down Olympiacos.

They launched successive attacks on both wings, the football whistling towards the goal countless times.

In the 19th minute of the game, Ma’el received the football in the middle of the field, he glanced around, and saw the attacking left-back Andre Santos moving forward behind him.

This forward insertion might be the breaking point for the balance in attack and defense.

”Boom... boom... boom...!”

Ma’el pretended not to see him, dribbling the football towards the center, wanting to draw the opponent’s defense line towards the middle.

”Follow him!”

”Don’t let him shoot!”

Olympiacos’ players indeed panicked, the entire defensive line moved along with Ma’el’s dribbling steps, this is the leverage Ma’el brought to the team with his rising threat level.

”Bang!” After creating space, he skillfully used a backheel pass to send the ball to the left flank.

The football cleverly penetrated the defense, arriving in the penalty area, catching all the defensive players off guard.

”Oh.....!” The fans at the Emirates Stadium stood up from their seats, seeing Andre Santos dart into the penalty area.

”Santos! Ready to shoot... controls the ball! He dodged the goalkeeper! Beautiful!

”Open goal! Steady strike! Two to zero! Arsenal has secured a two-nil lead in the first 20 minutes!

”As a left-back, Santos still possesses the agile footwork characteristic of Brazilian players, with imaginative flair like an elf!”

”With assistance from Ma’el, today he has already claimed two assists, this prodigy has achieved 2 goals and 2 assists in the new season’s Champions League, truly astounding!”

On the field, Santos, who scored his first Champions League goal in his career, was very excited; he rushed towards the sidelines, sliding on his knees, feeling the new stadium’s grass for the first time.

After standing up, he pointed towards Ma’el who passed him the ball, ”My brother, what a good pass!”

”Great shot as well!”

Ma’el, who claimed two assists, was equally exhilarated, lifting Andre Santos up, and then waved to celebrate with the fans on the stands.

For a moment, he remembered the four fans from the charity event... someone among them should be present today.

He promised to deliver them season tickets which he had acquired, and he planned to hand the tickets to the four people before the next game starts, inviting them to watch the North London derby.

For the rest of the game, Arsenal continued to press the opponent with relentless offensive, Olympiacos appeared quite powerless and unfit at the away field.

In the 37th minute, as Alexander Song scored with a heavy shot, Arsenal took a three-nil lead.

During halftime, Wenger substituted Ma’el, Alexander Song, and Mertesacker, beginning preparations for next month’s first-round derby.

That will be the most significant match of the entire October!

The significance of the derby undoubtedly needs no elaboration, in the hearts of the fans, it ranks akin to a championship match.

It feels more like a ’championship match’ for honor and pride, a critical game not to be lost!

”Beep! Beep! Beep——!”

As the referee blew the final whistle, the score was set at four to one.

Arsenal and Olympiacos each scored 1 goal in the second half, the former securing a comfortable victory, the latter... retained some dignity.

...

At the post-match press conference, Wenger and Ma’el sat here, responding to reporters’ questions.

”A perfect January?”