From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Ma’el’s 18th goal in the Premier League, 18 goals in 16 rounds! Such a performance, it’s really hard to imagine he’s only 18 years old!”

”No wonder he’s in the shortlist for the Golden Ball Award in ’11; on the Premier League stage, he’s top-tier!”

”...”

”Oh...!”

On the pitch, Ma’el kissed his right-hand fingers and then pointed both hands to the sky, running toward the corner flag area.

Obviously, he wasn’t wearing a ring; this celebration was as usual, without any symbolic meaning... purely born out of showing off.

”Snap, snap!” The journalists by the sidelines were frantically taking pictures, capturing this moment from multiple angles. Every goal-scoring moment could become a classic scene in Ma’el’s Premier League journey.

”Yes!”

”Vamos...!”

As several cheers ending in ’s’ rang out, Arsenal’s midfield and forward teammates all rushed over.

”So cool!”

Alexander Song, both happy and envious, lay on Ma’el’s shoulder laughing and said, ”How did you think of this shooting path!”

”Geniuses are always different.” Van Persie also came over, but this time guarded against Ma’el reaching out to ’absorb’ his aerial strike ability, dodging away if he sensed anything off.

”Aren’t I a genius?”

Alexander Song pointed to himself, asking, ”My long passes can compete with anyone in history...”

Seeing him about to praise his own passing, the others quickly nodded to interrupt, not wanting him to continue.

”Right, right.”

”That’s true!”

”You’re the best.”

Alexander Song lowered his face, turned, and ran away seriously.

”Haha.....!” Laughter erupted behind him, Van Persie and Ma’el quickly ran up to comfort him.

He surely wasn’t really angry, or else Arsenal players wouldn’t tease this treasure daily.

”Bang!!”

In the 79th minute, Ma’el seized a second ball opportunity and blasted an aerial strike.

He hit this ball quite comfortably; according to the feedback from his foot, it was definitely a high-quality shot, with both power and angle, and wouldn’t fly over the crossbar.

”Pop!”

But at the crucial moment, opponent defender Dunn jumped up, using his chest to block this blast and help the team plug the hole.

”Ugh...!” Landing, Dunn grimaced in pain, unable to utter a sound, his face quickly turning red.

The strength of this shot was significant, hitting the chest could feel like being winded.

Ma’el slightly regretfully raised his head, then came to Dunn’s side, patting his shoulder, ”Take a good rest, keep it up.”

Seeing the medical staff entering the field, he turned and left. Dunn, this defender, he quite admired; though he gave away a point... but made up for it and redeemed himself.

”He blocked a sure-goal shot.” As he walked back, speaking to Van Persie.

”Are you talking about his dedication...”

Van Persie looked at him, holding back laughter, ”or are you praising your own shooting quality in another way?”

Both quickly burst out laughing, but the laughter soon died down.

”Bang!”

In the 85th minute, Aston Villa midfielder Albrighton fired a long shot to help the team pull one back.

This shot was very sudden, and awakened Villa fans who’d been dormant all match.

”Aston! Aston...!”

Cheers rang throughout, reigniting hopes for points atop the standings.

”Yes!” After scoring, Albrighton quickly ran to the net, intending to take the ball out and restore it to the center circle fast.

Unexpectedly, Szczeny got there first, cradling the ball and refusing to give it to him.

”Bang!”

Not backing down, Albrighton crashed into him hard, fiercely fighting Szczeny to retrieve the ball.

”Give me the ball!”

”Get away!”

The two exploded in a minor confrontation at the goal, attracting players from both teams to rush over and separate them.

Ma’el also ran over, but by the time he arrived, Albrighton was already clutching the ball and out of the crowd.

This mainstay midfielder in the later Blue Fox miracle, he certainly remembered... now he seemed quite raw, likely just promoted to the first team.

”Alright?”

He went over to check on Szczeny, who waved him off and then pretended to have chest pain, summoning the medical staff.

Ma’el backed away; it was a common tactic to delay time... he even suspected Szczeny held the ball and sought confrontation with Albrighton for this purpose.

”Beep!”

One thing led to another, and Albrighton only kicked off from the center circle in the 87th minute, launching a counterattack.

This put Arsenal’s defense under tremendous pressure, as they retreated across the line in the final moments, organizing into a blockade at the edge of the penalty area, ready to secure the victory.

”Bang!” In the 89th minute, Ma’el chased down and intercepted Albrighton’s ball, turned, started dribbling, saw the crowded midfield, and carried the ball toward the wing, once again shielding it like the Great Emperor.

The fourth official promptly lifted the board, signaling 4 minutes of stoppage time for the second half.

It was enough time for Arsenal players to feel the nerves... smiles vanished from faces, and fans folded their hands in prayer.

”Pop!” Clark quickly approached and poked the ball out to the sidelines, calling to his teammates, ”Support, support!”

Dunn and Hutton swiftly dashed over, standing menacingly beside Ma’el.

Ma’el received a throw-in from Gibbs, again shielding the ball on the baseline, using reasonable means to waste time.

Clark and Dunn squeezed him crazily, while Hutton lay on the ground, trying to hook the ball out from between his legs.

But with astonishing power and coordination, he maintained his upper hand, firmly controlling the ball.