From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Boom!”

Ma’el took the ball back a step and passed it to Arsenal’s midfielder, Arteta, who kicked it towards the center.

Van Persie and Walcott stood in the middle, while Gervinho waited at the far post. But hearing these three names, aside from Van Persie, their ability to seize scoring opportunities was woefully inadequate.

”Pa!”

The football was easily cleared by Fulham’s tall center-back, posing no real threat.

”Why don’t you go in too?”

Arteta looked at Ma’el struggling to break through on the flank and suggested, ”You jump high and can sometimes head the ball.”

Ma’el waved his hand, shaking his head. Going in now would cripple the team’s efforts... He was drawing three or four defenders on the flank and center, leaving his teammates a bit of space.

If he went in, it would all be for nothing; everyone squeezing in the middle, it would be a test of endurance.

”Right.” Arteta quickly realized this too, waving to Ma’el, acknowledging it was a rather mediocre suggestion.

There’s no choice, the situation has reached a crisis point, and most people are finding it hard to stay calm.

”Boom!”

On the other side, Ramsey seemed to find some space, lifting a high ball into the penalty area, but alas, the ball was cleared out by the defenders.

Ma’el drifted a few steps towards the center, trying to draw the defenders marking him out while searching for a long shot opportunity.

But it was still difficult; no space was left for him, and the Fulham players seemed determined to confront him head-on.

”Boom!!”

Two minutes later, he suddenly utilized his acceleration ability to seize a second ball drop point, striking a powerful aerial shot before the opposing defenders could catch up.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep it down, and the ball whistled over the crossbar, crashing towards the stands.

”Ah.....!” Arsenal fans behind the goal reached out to stop the ball, while a wave of regret erupted.

Ma’el slapped his right leg; if that shot had gone in, all problems would’ve been solved. However, such shots don’t always go his way.

Aerial Shot Level 4!

His desire for this skill had intensified, as only robust overall ability could score surprising goals when opportunities arise.

Turning to check the time, it was already at the 89th minute... He glanced at the Fulham players and found their faces showed no signs of relaxing, but rather increasing focus on defense.

”Everyone up! Everyone up!”

On the sidelines, Wenger moved to the edge, waving his hand, signaling the two center-backs hanging at the halfway line to find chances to move up, increasing attacking numbers.

The superman tactic was about to come.

If it’s the last wave of attack, even goalkeeper Szczeny would join in, seeking a heading opportunity.

”Ah.....!” A Fulham player suddenly held his leg in pain during a dead ball, lying on the ground and patting the turf, urgently calling for medical assistance.

A usual time-wasting maneuver against top teams on the standings; those three points are exceptionally vital to lower-ranked teams.

It’s not only a chance to improve rankings but a morale-boosting comeback too!

Just then, the injury time board was raised, showing 2 minutes added to the second half.

Wenger’s face showed deeper uncertainty, as the time wasted during injury time isn’t usually added back by the referee.

Once time crosses the 92-minute mark, Fulham’s coach and players, along with their traveling fans, would pressure the referee.

”Hey! Stop the clock! Hey!”

Knowing the odds were slim, he approached the fourth official, trying to get him to communicate with the main referee via earpiece.

”Hoo-hoo-hoo...!” Inside, Arsenal fans also started to whistle and make noise, applying pressure on the referee.

The main referee raised his watch-wearing hand high, indicating he would consider adding more time.

Fulham players didn’t make any moves now, just clenched their fists, hoping time would pass swiftly.

When the fallen player finished treatment and limped to the sideline, the match time had passed 91 minutes and 20 seconds.

”Beep!”

The long-suspended dead ball finally resumed, Arsenal’s Vermaelen and Koscielny passed the ball to find a chance to push forward.

Once they reached the front, they passed it to the left flank’s Ma’el..... This was the place with the highest attacking success rate, and if they couldn’t trust him now, who could they trust?

”Boom!!”

Ma’el then found space to play a crossing into the penalty area, whipping the ball like a razor-sharp blade towards the opposing area.

Vermaelen and Koscielny had already surged into the box, and all Arsenal players except the goalkeeper had entered the opponent’s danger zone.

”Boom!” Koscielny’s subsequent header toward the goal caused all Arsenal fans to pause, countless eyes following the ball he headed.

”Puff!”

A muffled sound echoed, Fulham’s goalkeeper Schwarzer quickly moved to the ball’s drop point and gathered it into his arms.

No goal!

”Hiss.....!” Countless people took a sharp breath, staring at today’s wall of sighs, feeling a sense of defeat.

Schwarzer held the ball and lay on the ground until the referee rushed over to issue a yellow card, after which he got up and slowly kicked the ball towards the flanks of Arsenal’s backfield.

This was the best choice now, Arsenal needed someone to re-enter on a throw-in and push forward.

As Gervinho sprinted back to throw the ball to goalkeeper Szczeny, the latter signaled Gervinho forward, then alone began dribbling towards Fulham’s backfield.

At this moment, the scoreboard had officially hit the 92-minute mark.