From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Clap, clap, clap...!”

The traveling fans quickly gave him applause, which grew louder and more intense as time went on.

”Snap!”

Finally, Dunn had no choice but to kick the ball out of bounds to reset the offensive and defensive positions.

Ma’el signaled Gibbs to come to the corner flag to kick the ball to him. The latter slowly made his way to the corner flag and only launched the ball after several reminders from the referee.

He protected the ball again at the corner flag, wobbling like a tumbler doll with a low center of gravity.

”Damn it!”

The three were anxious and angry, their fury boiling... But due to their desire to win, they still didn’t want to foul, or get into a conflict with Arsenal at this time as it would waste time.

”Oh...!”

When the ball was finally taken from Ma’el’s feet, a loud cheer erupted from the Arsenal fan section.

The game time was already close to 93 minutes, and this ball protection alone dragged on for more than 2 minutes!

”Beep! Beep! Beep—!”

Shortly after, the referee blew the whistle to end the match, and all the Arsenal people raised their hands, celebrating this hard-fought victory.

Two to one!

Got it!

The 13th win in the Premier League!

The points are 42!

Ma’el also breathed a sigh of relief, smiling as he went to the fan section to thank them, as this post-match ritual is a must after every away game, sincerely grateful for these fans who traveled so far.

”Keep winning!”

”Always win!”

”Go go!!”

He clapped his hands all the way, greeting and shouting with the fans in celebration.

He suddenly paused, spotting David and Chloe waving enthusiastically among the unfamiliar faces.

”Hi.”

Ma’el walked up to the stand and high-fived them, smilingly asked: ”Do you still have the gifts I gave you, didn’t lose them, did you?”

”Look!”

David lifted his foot, showing his shoes, laughing: ”As long as I’m following the team to a match, I always wear them, hoping they bring you luck, some kind of feeling!”

”Uh, uh...!” Chloe hurriedly took off her coat, revealing the Arsenal jersey underneath.

”I’m in a hurry this time, not much time to chat with you; if there’s a chance, I’ll invite you to ride the team bus.”

Ma’el waved goodbye to them and turned to leave, but suddenly heard some urgent muttering, turning back to see Chloe pulling out a piece of paper from her clothes.

It seemed meticulously prepared... it showed Arsenal’s number 11 from the back, with a similar figure, leading a little fan into the stadium, all appearing very comforting under her brush.

”Ah.”

Ma’el was jolted, feeling a bit tingly... He walked back to the stand moved, took the drawing into his hands to look at it, ”Is this for me?”

”Mm-hmm!” Chloe nodded heavily, her expression joyful, as if fulfilling a long-time wish.

”She brings it to every match, hoping you’d notice and take it one day,” David explained with a smile on the side, as he and Chloe seemed to be good friends, always watching matches together.

”Thank you.”

Ma’el stepped up to hug Chloe, saying with a smile: ”A very special gift, I will place it in the most conspicuous spot at home as a collectible, and also hope you keep drawing.”

After saying this, he happily turned around to leave, only to hear some urgent voices again after a few steps.

He looked back once more to see them holding up a phone with a caption flashing across it—”Hope you’ll bring the Golden Boy Award in the next match!”

”Haha...” Ma’el gave them a thumbs up, indicating that he would do his best.

Feeling everyone’s expectations for him to win the award, he also felt a bit anxious about the result to be announced on December 22.

...

”December 20, only 2 days away from the final announcement, there is more and more anxiety in my heart, even my sleep seems to have minor issues.

”It’s strange, I should be confidently winning the Golden Boy Award, why am I worried about any changes, or maybe... I just desperately want to see the result? Though already knowing it.

”Analyzing my inner self? Forget it, too complicated, just consider it nervousness before winning the first major personal honor.

”Still training today, speed is already part of the training plan, very much looking forward to the effects after yet another improvement, will I get closer to Bolt?

”Keep calm and persist, don’t get tempted, the Golden Boy Award won’t be my final stop, the Golden Ball Award is.

”No, even the Golden Ball Award is not.”

”December 21, came with the team to Manchester City to prepare for the away game against Manchester City, tomorrow is the day to announce the result.

”Don’t know whether it’s in the morning or the afternoon, or at night? Hope it’s before the match so I can take on Manchester City with an even better mindset.

”Mancini’s team was originally the champions this season in history, with their full strength the intensity must be very high... In the Premier League, finishing a full-strength Manchester City, the big 6 tour concludes, the remaining teams are not so hard to deal with.

”Play well tomorrow!

”Face the first big achievement in life in the best state, can’t take the Golden Boy Award to comfort myself with a face of loss after losing a match.

”After beating Manchester City, I’ll go to Italy for the award!”

On December 22, Arsenal faced their third-last match of the month, going up against the Premier League upstart Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

This team has been in a great state in the Premier League lately, overtaking Chelsea in the standings, climbing to 3rd place, only 4 points behind the unbeaten Arsenal for the season.