From Arsenal to the Ball God

”So just now, it was like a battleship firing, hitting the target!”

”Hehe...” Zhang Lu chuckled sinisterly, nodding, ”That’s quite fitting. I’d say if he had air superiority, it would be even better.”

On the sidelines, Mancini didn’t rage this time. He stood like a brooding Italian man, gazing at the world with melancholy eyes, unable to snap out of it.

In a few weeks, rotation lineup against Ma’el with a rotation lineup, full lineup against Ma’el with a full lineup.

All losses!

What could he do?

...

”Yeah!”

In the hotel, this time it was Peter who roared, ”Two goals! Involved in 3 goals! Ma’el won everything tonight!”

Amelia was writing an article on the side, using this method to distract herself... Manchester City’s aggressive attacking had just scared her, afraid that Mancini’s team might equalize or snatch victory.

If that happened, post-game reports of ”2 miracle goals carrying the game” would change to ”2 miracle goals couldn’t save the day.”

This brings about a different feeling, as for a football player, team victory is very important.

”Another goal?!”

She turned her head, saw the replay on the screen, and waved her hand, putting aside all her worries.

She moved her laptop over to Peter, ”I just finished writing about his two goals, look quickly, we need to post it fast!”

”Just post it!”

Peter had no intention of looking, having been in media for years, he understood the fans’ feelings at this moment, ”Just tell them Ma’el scored a brilliant goal, let them know there’s an exclusive interview tonight.”

”With the gif attached, no one will pay attention to your words, they’ll focus solely on Ma’el.”

”That makes sense.” Amelia nodded, added a few keywords, and published the report.

The popularity of this report quickly surpassed the previous two, garnering countless shares and likes, with many media struggling to keep pace also reposting the news.

At this moment, the company phone rang with a number they had never seen before.

Peter gestured for Amelia to answer, she connected the call and heard a voice on the other end, ”Is this ’Football Record’? I’m Jorge Mendes, do you have someone in Manchester?”

Amelia was suddenly a bit nervous hearing Mendes’ voice, glanced at Peter and nodded, ”The boss and the person preparing for the exclusive interview are both in Manchester. Mr. Mendes, what instructions do you have?”

”I have a proposal.”

Mendes’ voice came through, with a hint of urgency barely detectable, ”Contact the ’Torino Sports Paper’ for tonight’s award ceremony. You and Maie should depart directly from Manchester International Airport after the match.

”I see the interview is already gaining a lot of traction. Why not go bigger, shoot an interview documentary, starting with the player’s exit from the Etihad, and continue until the player receives the award in Turin.

”Though time is a bit tight, maximizing influence is possible, both for the player and you.

”I think Ma’el will agree, but what about you... give it some thought. If you can overcome some difficulties, doing as I say will be spot on.

”You can edit the documentary and post it on social media, excerpting parts of the dialogue for report publication.”

Amelia kept it on speakerphone, seeing Peter on the other side nodding enthusiastically but gesturing to ask more details.

She was quite smart and asked, ”We’re okay, just not sure if Ma’el agrees? Is the player resting?”

”I’ll handle that.”

Mendes seemed to rise from somewhere, laughing, ”You go prepare at the Etihad underground parking C1 to meet him... By the way, even though I’m in Spain, I’ll appear in Italy tonight.

”I don’t mind showing up in the interview, haha, I must be present for Ma’el’s big moment.”

”Of course not.”

Amelia held back her excitement, exchanged a few polite words, and hung up the phone. She then cheered and high-fived with Peter, starting to pack hurriedly.

Two minutes later, carrying two large cases, they dashed out of the hotel, unable to call a car, they hailed a taxi at the entrance heading to the Etihad.

....

”Beep! Beep! Beep—!”

At the Etihad Stadium, with the referee’s three long whistles, the match ended.

Ultimately, Arsenal defeated Manchester City three to one, thanks to Ma’el’s two goals and Van Persie’s one!

With only two rounds left, if they grit their teeth and fight through, it would be an undefeated half-season!

”Come on.”

Post-match, Wenger was so delighted he couldn’t focus, repeating his post- English League Cup comments, ”Great team.”

To some extent, Mancini could understand his feelings, patting Wenger on the shoulder but saying nothing, retreating back to the player tunnel.

”Said before.” A little embarrassed, assistant coach Philip came up beside Wenger.

”Ah? Really?”

Feeling the warmth in his hand, Wenger turned, glanced at Mancini’s departing back, and felt a bit apologetic; he didn’t mean too much by it, just spoke his mind.

Turning to see Ma’el approaching, Wenger wanted to go up and hug this player who repeatedly created surprises, but was afraid he couldn’t lift him.

”Going for Player of the Month again this month?” Wenger looked at Ma’el, smiling, ”Are you going to drag me along for another try?”