From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Bang!”

In the 87th minute of the match, Ma’el held the ball on the left wing, the defensive numbers in the center were very dense, almost impossible to break through.

He sought to break through for a crossing opportunity, observing the situation in the center; he knew this was the last chance.

Soon, he noticed that the opponent’s center-backs seemed overly afraid of Van Persie’s scoring ability, their bodies always facing outward from the penalty area while marking him.

This is a big taboo in defense; a more reasonable method should be to defend sideways... After receiving this information, Ma’el started to charge towards the baseline, preparing to try a crossing.

He trusted his judgment; if he could deliver a crossing with extremely fast ball speed, the defenders would not be able to turn around in time.

”Cover him!”

Norwich midfielder Hulahan saw his old friend from the Championship charging with the ball, quickly signaling his teammates to close in.

In this match, Ma’el attempted a few breakthroughs, although he managed to pass one or two people each time successfully, they were not able to create many threatening chances due to the dense defensive numbers.

This time, he believed they could also stop Ma’el through encirclement and interception.

”Bang, bang, bang...!”

Ma’el dribbled towards the opponent’s side defender Norton, his feet doing flexible changes; his determination to break through this time was very strong.

Norton did not shift his center of gravity; he knew he had teammates protecting his back, and someone was coming over from the side.

Ma’el continued to lead the ball forward; he gradually felt a tough sensation, with increased defensive numbers and a smaller area, it became difficult to break through their defense with speed and physicality.

Suddenly, his eyes sharp, he sensed Hulahan was about to run to a position parallel with Norton.

Under the legs... Perhaps there’s a chance?

”Bang!”

There was no other way; he decided to try it, after Hulahan took two more steps forward, he swiftly launched the ball towards the penalty area direction using his left foot’s inside-of-the-foot.

Norton quickly closed his legs, but it was too late; as Ma’el anticipated, Hulahan ran to a position parallel to him, their steps synchronized at this instant!

When the football passed through Norton’s legs, Hulahan also felt a chill right under his legs, realizing as the football darted towards the middle field.

Two nutmegs!

This was a very sudden pass, the football rolled unexpectedly from the wing!

Moreover, Ma’el’s ability to pass with the inside-of-the-foot has always been strong; the football carried intense force and speed, leaving the defenders facing Van Persie with no chance to turn around, safely arriving in the danger zone.

”Bang!!”

The king of finishers, General Fan, did not disappoint Ma’el in this moment; he reflexively appeared at the right place, slid in and shot the ball into the net.

The ball is in!

Two to one!

Leads again!

”Yeah.....!” The Arsenal expedition army burst into a fierce cheer and roar, the pressure on everyone dissipated.

Facing a team like Norwich, not taking 3 points is a failure... This goal no doubt recaptured the nearly lost 2 points!

At the last moment, Ma’el helped them come up with a solution, and Van Persie helped them finish!

”Oh...!”

On the sideline, Wenger excitedly waved his right fist; at least, he wouldn’t have to wear a grim face back to London; this victory against mid- and lower-tier teams is also crucial.

He quickly turned to Philip, wanting to share the exciting emotion together, ”That pass?!”

”Almost impossible to get through!” Philip happened to run up as well, his voice trembling, ”But it just went through, and just right!”

”Ma’el!”

On the field, Van Persie joyfully rushed to Ma’el after getting up, leaping high and jumping at him, ”Genius!”

”Yes.....!”

Ma’el’s face was also filled with delight; at that moment, he chose to trust his judgment, trusting his Level 4 decision.

He won the bet!

points in the bag!

goal and 1 assist, the form lost in the last match, regained!

The two then ran towards the sideline together, following along to the position where they danced the cradle dance together, tightening their arms, laughing and swaying.

Walcott hurried over again, this time his eyes were joyful but his expression still bitter, ”I thought you would pass to me, I also wanted to score the winning goal.”

Van Persie turned his head towards him; a hint of teasing arose, ”You and I are still different, I am....”

Walcott anticipated it, covering his ears ahead of time, ”Get lost!”

Right beside their celebration, was exactly the place where Hulahan and Norton had just been nutmegged; they still maintained the posture of looking towards the midfield after being nutmegged, their legs remained parallel.

At this moment, Hulahan met the eyes of goalkeeper Rudy; their expressions both held surprise, they remained silent, merely blinking constantly.

On the sidelines, Norwich coach Neil dejectedly returned to the coaching seat, his back slightly pitiful.

He knew very well that once he switched to full-line defense, the team no longer had any attacking capability... As long as Arsenal scored, they would surely lose.

”Ma’el ah.”

Sitting on the bench, he looked at Ma’el, wanting to say something to the assistant coach beside him, ”He... he’s changed so much.”

The assistant coach suspiciously glanced at him, wasn’t this nonsense... However, considering Neil’s feelings at the moment and his complicated feelings towards Ma’el, he echoed, ”Bless him, this season Premier League play is due to his contributions after all.”

Not long after, the referee blew the whistle ending the whole match, Arsenal eventually won by two to one.

”Clang clang clang clang! I’ve got a friend!” When the singing voice rang again from the expedition fans’ stands, Arsenal fans joyfully expressed their approval of Ma’el’s performance, also trying to echo Norwich fans who once sang with them.

Norwich fans wouldn’t be able to sing out now, but they chose another way to show their emotion—”Clap clap clap.....!”

Warm applause erupted, both for their team’s players and for Ma’el.

Whether talking about Ma’el’s help last season or today’s display from an old friend, this tribute applause at the end was indispensable.

They expressed their feelings ambiguously and complexly towards this player who once built a bond.

”See you next time!”

Some who sincerely liked Ma’el shouted at him, ”See you at Carrow Road in a year! We will stay in the Premier League, hope you are already a star!”

Before leaving the scene, Ma’el looked at them, feeling somewhat moved, didn’t expect opposing fans’ friendships to be so deep.

These are the friends he accumulated in his over-a-year professional career.

Quite interesting... He took off his jersey, tossing it towards the fan shouting at him, bidding a final farewell with a wave, ”Bye-bye!”

This match, though a small victory, with nothing grand occurring, turned out to be a memorable match.

Through Carrow Road Stadium, Ma’el seemed to see the intertwining achievements from last season and this season, reflecting a trajectory of his growth and heightening his longing for the future.