From Arsenal to the Ball God

On November 5, the 11th round of the Premier League kicked off at Emirates Stadium, with Arsenal facing West Brom.

This month can be called the Emirates Stadium month, as Arsenal plays 5 out of their 6 matches at Emirates Stadium.

In this match, Wenger set up his strongest lineup in the midfield and forward areas.

He simply replaced Gibbs and Sagna with Andre Santos and Jenkinson, allowing the outstanding Vermaelen from the last game to continue playing.

It seems Wenger believes West Brom’s attacking capabilities cannot penetrate their midfield and defensive lines.

Even if they do, their number of threatening attacks will be far less than Arsenal’s!

The match began at five in the afternoon, and Emirates Stadium was packed with fans eagerly anticipating a spectacular performance.

The players did not disappoint them, as in the 22nd minute, Walcott from the center forward position assisted his partner Van Persie to score a goal.

One-nil!

At the 39th minute, the attacking defender Vermaelen carried the ball deep into the field, passed to the wing to Gervinho, then charged into the penalty area and hammered in a header.

Two-nil!

Before the end of the first half, Van Persie acted as a pivot receiving the ball and set up Arteta with a great delivery.

”Boom!”

Arteta then followed up with a long shot to smash through West Brom’s goal, bagging another goal.

Three-nil!

The victory was secured!

”Oh ho...!”

Arsenal players gathered at the sidelines, tousling Arteta’s hair and embracing each other.

Ma’el celebrated with his teammates, although he had been tightly marked by two opponents in the first half, he didn’t get great opportunities.

Fortunately, his presence created chances for his teammates to score, contributing to securing the 3 points early on!

”How many points now?”

Gervinho asked, seemingly indifferent to these details but happily high-fived others.

”The match isn’t over yet.” Van Persie tapped his head laughing, ”Counting points at this moment, don’t you think it’s a bit too much?”

”No worries.” Gervinho peeped at the West Brom players behind him, then turned back saying, ”Let’s count it as 9 wins and 2 draws, there won’t be any surprises.”

”29 points.”

Ma’el gave him the answer with a joke, ”If our goal is to avoid relegation, this score practically ensures a very good position to stay up.”

”Haha...!” Everyone laughed heartily; a team with 9 wins and 2 draws in 11 rounds certainly aims for the championship!

They then ran back as the first half ended shortly after.

At the 60th minute of the second half, Ma’el was substituted amidst applause, prematurely ending his journey in the 11th round of the Premier League.

No feelings of regret, as no one can guarantee goals or assists every match, even the greatest strikers experience slumps, with too many factors affecting performance data.

”It’s indeed rare to see.”

While subbing out, Wenger stood beside him jokingly comforting, ”Save your strength for the next match to smash Norwich’s goal.”

”Of course.” Ma’el smiled, raised his eyebrows, and high-fived him saying, ”Don’t worry Mr. Wenger, I’m in good spirits; 11 rounds with 14 goals, what could be better for a top league season start?”

Wenger patted his shoulder, then Ma’el returned to the bench, putting on a long sleeve shirt, as the weather had started to get colder.

This match paced along quietly; neither team scored in the second half.

Finally, Arsenal sealed a 3-0 victory over West Brom, confidently securing 3 points.

”Championship chase!”

With nearly 30 points ahead, Ma’el felt even more confident, not to mention maintaining the opening season’s form, even if their drop-off rate stays within 20%, they remain strong title contenders.

Previously calculated, as long as they achieve around 25-28 wins, ensuring losses don’t exceed 5 matches, this team is highly likely to clinch the Premier League title.

At present, Arsenal already holds a third of the victories, without a single defeat yet!

Everything is looking promising!

...

November 6, in the villa.

After finishing his physical training, Ma’el came to the living room, finding Jose and others looking at him with smiles.

”What’s up?”

He grabbed yogurt from the refrigerator, asking, ”Did someone in Manchester United or Manchester City’s lineup get injured? Rooney or Aguero?”

That was a joke; he didn’t have much hostility towards these two teams and these Premier League Golden Boot contenders.

He just didn’t quite understand what good event could have occurred today for them to look at him like this.

”Deschamps was appointed.” Jose then responded, speaking with excitement, ”And your name is in the first training camp roster he finalized.”

Ma’el turned back to see everyone’s expressions, seemingly not like a false rumor.

Didier Deschamps, a natural born for France team management, finally reached the position that truly belonged to him?

It seems after Zidane’s retirement and quiet years, the France team is entering a new era!

”This is a signal.”

Harry was selecting the gear for today’s massage from the rack, adding, ”Being recruited immediately after taking office, doesn’t this mean he’s already designated you as a key player for next year’s European Cup?”

”Certainly.” Jose smiled and nodded, ”Ma’el’s league performance over the past three months is apparent to everyone, and he’s dazzled Deschamps twice; not recruiting him would be strange.

”But the pressure is greater, at the left-wing position, there’s competition with Ribery for the starting spot, the Bayern Munich forward with a market value of 55 million euros.