From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Isn’t there a champion?”

Arteta from the midfield stepped up and said with a smile, ”Arsenal basically wins the Emirates Cup every other year.”

He was talking about a pre-season warm-up event, sponsored by Emirates Airline, held annually at Arsenal’s home ground, Emirates Stadium.

In previous years, Arsenal participated every year and often won the final championship cup... Although it sounds a bit like self-entertainment, it is still quite valuable in a warm-up match.

This year, due to the team’s financial improvement tour in China, they did not participate in this cup competition.

”No revealing secrets.”

Captain Van Persie laughed and patted Arteta on the back, and several of them ran back to their half together.

When passing by their former teammate Nasri, they exchanged a blank stare and paid no further attention to each other.

Nasri’s presence wasn’t strong today. His style requires ball control and support from teammates... Following Manchester City’s messy tactical rotations, he couldn’t perform well.

He seemed indifferent at this time, as if losing was not a big deal, anyway, there is a chance to win back in the Premier League.

Arsenal players mostly smiled to themselves; Nasri didn’t know what kind of team Arsenal was this season, but they knew.

Looking back at the end of the season, to see which team is stronger... Whether those who left did the right thing or the wrong thing.

”Beep! Beep! Beep——!”

Three long whistles blew, and the match officially ended. Eventually, Arsenal defeated Manchester City 2-0 to advance to the English League Cup semifinals!

”Keep going.”

On the sidelines, Wenger approached Mancini and performed the post-match handshake, ”Great team.”

”I don’t know how to accept that compliment.” Mancini shrugged with a smile, accepting the defeat graciously and said courteously, ”Ma’el is really amazing, watching him play up close is quite impactful for me.

”So, maybe the six-year wait isn’t a bad thing? I hope you can fulfill your wishes this season from the English League Cup. I only want to lose to the champion team.”

After the words fell, they both leaned back with smiles, patting each other’s shoulders as they walked into the players’ tunnel.

After the match, Ma’el received another small crystal cup for the best player in a single English League Cup match. Now, he has a bit of every quirky type of trophy.

If I remember correctly, every cup competition has a highly valuable individual award... Finals Best Player!

The recipient is generally considered the best player in the respective cup competition.

Ma’el naturally coveted this, so he could first set a small goal for himself—to reach the finals.

...

After this match, time will enter December, and the Golden Boy Award ceremony will take place in the middle and late part of this month.

Since this year’s FIFA awards ceremony will be held in January next year, December’s Golden Boy Award also serves as a warm-up for next month’s Golden Ball Award.

At this time, Mendes began to exert influence, collaborating with many media outlets to shift the topic towards Ma’el’s Golden Boy Award, launching a media offensive.

Even at this match’s post-match press conference, many journalists posed similar questions to Mancini and Wenger.

”I think there’s no suspense. If the organizers don’t want to give the Golden Boy Award to him, then I really can’t think of who they could give it to... Unless they raise the age limit to 24.” — Wenger said at the post-match press conference

”I don’t want to discuss these personal awards, but on our team, we have two Golden Boy award recipients. Okay, I must say, Ma’el’s performance deserves the Golden Boy Award and won’t be controversial.” — Mancini’s statement

”I didn’t expect to win the Player of the Month trophy twice in my first Premier League season. Thank you, everyone... Ma’el is a great competitor. I won the Golden Boy in 2007, but my performance was not even half as good as Ma’el’s.” — Aguero’s award speech

”I don’t want to talk about it, but he should receive this honor... Enough! Get away from me.” — Said Balotelli when being cornered in the players’ tunnel

If Wenger and Arsenal’s internal statements were considered protective,

then the statements from Aguero, who just won the Premier League Player of the Month for November, as well as those from Mancini and Balotelli, were very impactful.

This instantly, along with the buzz of ’nominee Ma’el scores a brace,’ climbed to the front-page headlines of major media outlets for this issue, sparking heated discussions among fans.

”Ma’el can start preparing his award speech in advance; this is the least suspenseful Golden Boy Award ever.”

This comment became the most popular comment under all related posts, and many people copied it, spreading it to more places.

On December 1st, the 14th round of the Premier League kicked off, with Sheffield United drawing 1-1 at home with West Brom, earning 1 point.

In the post-match press conference, Garrispeed appeared with Golden Boy nominee Gilbert, seemingly with something premeditated.

When the journalists brought up the topic of Ma’el, both sat forward slightly.

”I think it should be given to him. I’ve been in football for almost 30 years, and I’ve never seen such an outstanding candidate.”

Garrispeed answered very straightforwardly, he seemed expectant, as if he would be pleased to see Ma’el win the award. ”The Golden Boy Award selection each year takes place as the league season is nearing its halfway point when candidates often don’t have great stats.

”If I remember correctly, in previous years, a candidate’s league stats being 10+ was quite solid... I’m referring to top leagues.

”While Ma’el has already scored 15 goals and provided 7 assists in the league this season.

”Even just looking at his Champions League stats, he’s already close to 10+, something unprecedented!”