From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Beep!”

Not long after, with the referee’s whistle, this 19th-round Premier League match officially kicked off at Bramall Lane Stadium.

”Boom!” Evans kicked off from the center circle. Today, they deployed a 5-4-1 defensive formation, fully prepared for counter-attacks.

Ma’el crossed the halfway line, rushing towards the opponent’s backfield to steal the ball amidst cheers from both fans.

The decisive battle has arrived!

...

On the sidelines, Wenger put his arm around Gilbert’s neck. The latter wasn’t wearing a jersey today, so the gesture didn’t seem awkward.

”In the latter part of the first half, your goals and assists decreased a lot, but interceptions increased. Are you intentionally developing in that direction?”

He chuckled, looking at this outstanding representative of Arsenal’s youth academy, a star who stepped out of the Korni Base alongside Ma’el. Even though they progressed at different speeds, they are both considered Arsenal’s hopes.

”Yes.”

Gilbert was a bit shy in front of Wenger, nodding and saying, ”In the youth team, I was known for my footwork, but after coming to the Premier League, this advantage isn’t very prominent.

If I want to return to play for Arsenal, I must make some changes... If I can become a midfielder with both skills and defensive strength, my competitiveness will increase significantly.”

He didn’t hide his ambition, openly sharing his thoughts with the club’s coach.

Sometimes, these things need to be expressed; it’s the only way to have a higher chance of impressing the coach.

After saying this, he lowered his head and smiled, saying, ”Besides, as Ma’el becomes more threatening, he might face increasingly rough fouls. I can protect him a bit from behind.

I aspire to play alongside him. Since I don’t have a very strong offensive talent, I’ll strive to be the workhorse behind him.”

”Haha.” Wenger laughed twice, gently patting the back of his head, and then returned to his seat, focusing on the match.

On the other side, in front of Sheffield United’s bench, Garrispeed was also chatting with Jorson about Ma’el.

”When he starts running, you can clearly see he’s become stronger.”

Jorson looked proudly at the young star he personally discovered, who had come so far. ”It’s great. He’s already become a top forward in the Premier League.

Do you think he could break last year’s Championship goal record and this year break the Premier League record?”

”Hard to say.” Garrispeed shook his head, smiling, ”If he scores later and you show any sign of celebration in front of me, I’ll request a red card from the referee and have you sent to the stands.”

Jorson laughed heartily, spreading his hands in confusion, ”Why would the referee listen to you?”

”Why?”

Garrispeed turned to him, stifling a laugh as he teased, ”I could tell him you were insulting him next to me. No, that would make me look crazy... I’ll mimic your voice and insult the fourth official.”

The two laughed foolishly together. In this match with a rather large skill gap, they were relatively relaxed, just hoping not to concede too many goals.

...

On the field, Arsenal was pressing Sheffield United’s backfield tightly, playing territorial offense and defense. They had no pressure playing against a promoted team.

Ma’el positioned himself on the left wing, where Sheffield United’s defensive line was composed almost entirely of newcomers. There was only Luton he recognized... and a couple of other defenders he met in the Championship.

In the 11th minute of the match, he finally received a through ball from a teammate amidst various rounds of chasing and blocking, greeting a great opportunity for a breakthrough attack.

”Bang bang...!”

He dribbled against the opponent’s wing-back and the supporting center-back, bravely taking on two players at once.

”Ma’el’s breakthrough. In the Premier League now, being marked by two players has become normal for him! The crucial point is that even with two players, it’s not certain to stop him; even three are not particularly reliable!

His change of direction and acceleration! He suddenly stops and turns around, then cuts into the box! Gone!

A beautiful one-on-two breakthrough, Sheffield United fans witnessing this scene wonder how they feel, seeing the player reappear in the old stadium with such presence!”

”.....”

”Oh...!” Amidst the gasps, Ma’el broke through two players in succession, carrying the ball to the center of the penalty area.

”Boom!”

After glancing at the opponent’s well-prepared goalkeeper and the almost sealed-off shot angle, he swept the ball horizontally towards the goal, with Van Persie in the center point letting it slip.

On the other side, the winger Walcott quickly received the ball at the far post. Finding himself blocked immediately, unable to turn, he could only pass it back.

”Boom!!” The oncoming Ramsey pushed the ball towards the bottom right corner of the goal.

In the penalty area, three Sheffield United players dived to block, throwing themselves in the ball’s path to set up an obstacle, but the ball still went ahead smoothly.

”Swish!” As the ball swiftly hit the net, Arsenal easily took a 1-0 lead.

”Yeah...!”

The players grouped in threes and fives, laughing and running to the sidelines to celebrate together. In the cold air, Ramsey shouted with a fist pump, visibly excited.

Ma’el stepped forward to high-five them, not making any celebratory moves, keeping a low profile on his return home.

He looked at Walcott, laughing, ”If this isn’t my assist, it’s quite hard to understand. Previously I owed you, but now we’re even!”

”Haha.....” Walcott laughed heartily, having long since shaken off the frustration of having his previous stats robbed, aware Ma’el was jokingly teasing him, giving him a playful pat.