From Arsenal to the Ball God

Keep running, keep moving forward, gradually approaching the top level, approaching the limit of human standards!

Become the Ball God!

His goal is clear. After his body adjusted a lot, he started sprinting again, quickly catching up and surpassing Alexander Song.

”Run! Forrest! Run...!”

Occasionally, classic lines from the movie ”Forrest Gump” would appear in his mind, recalling that naive Forrest who broke through all shackles step by step and ran into a new life.

Isn’t he much the same?

After finishing his run, Ma’el and Alexander Song looked at each other’s sweaty faces and shared a refreshing smile.

”Cool!”

The two shouted together, gave each other a high five, and went to the sidelines to stretch and relax together.

During the break, Ma’el glanced at the Skill Level panel, finding that it was filled with new skills.

[Skills: Rapid Charge lv4]

[Skill Level: (129/5000)]

[Skills: Violent Bombing lv4]

[Skill Level: (393/2000)]

[Skills: Header Power lv3]

[Skill Level: (1/800)]

[Skills: Fancy Dribbling lv2]

[Skill Level: (541/800)]

[Additional Skills: Fancy Techniques lv1]

[Skill Level: (338/1500)]

”Keep moving forward!” he secretly clenched his fist. Each time, he encouraged himself like this, and each time he could achieve the results he wanted.

...

January 4th, the first battle of the second half of the season arrived, and Arsenal traveled to the away game to challenge the farmers Fulham.

This month, their schedule has 6 matches, but potentially there are 7 matches.

If they win in the FA Cup third round against Leeds United on January 9th, they will face the FA Cup fourth-round match at the end of the month.

Besides, they also have 3 Premier League matches, the English League Cup semi-final first leg and second leg matches, all of which are extremely important.

”Did you hear? Henry seems to be coming back on a two-month loan to train with us.”

As they entered the field, Van Persie said behind Ma’el: ”He transferred from Barça to MLS’s New York Red Bulls to prepare for retirement there.

”A season in MLS is a full year, starting in February and running until November.

”The player said he wants to come and train with the team to maintain his condition, and it could be an addition to the team’s rotation lineup during these first two months.”

The Great Emperor is returning?

Ma’el searched his memory and indeed remembered Henry returning for a period at the end of his career. He smiled and said: ”He must be feeling homesick and wanting to revisit the place where he fought for years before retirement.”

”I think so too.” Van Persie smiled, ”I still remember the days of partnering with him, those were wonderful times..... but if he returns now, he can only be your substitute. He’s old.”

Ma’el didn’t speak, stepping onto the field. He was quite looking forward to Henry’s return.

Such a superstar, Arsenal’s legend, in the final stage of his career, returning to the club to complete the new-old transition in the forward position with himself, would certainly be a good thing.

”Beep!”

The match then kicked off, Fulham lined up in a 4-4-2 diamond midfield formation, playing quite aggressively.

Ma’el gained considerable space for movement in this match. The opponent’s defense was slightly loose at the backfield, and their single defensive midfield couldn’t provide much support to the wingback and center-back.

Often, whenever he got the ball, he could create significant threats..... after his Physical Ability reached Level 4, he also started trying to run back more to help Gibbs relieve pressure, while also creating greater sprinting space for himself.

In the 19th minute of the game, he made a strong attack on Kelly on the wing, dodged Riise who came to assist, and delivered a cross.

”Bang!”

Their goalkeeper Stockdale tapped the ball in midfield, the football rolled back into the penalty area, and Fulham’s defensive midfielder cleared it with one kick to the baseline.

Corner kick.

”Boom!”

Ramsey then kicked out a corner, the football flew towards the middle with extreme speed.

Ma’el stood near the penalty spot this time, judging whether to move forward to contend for the header or to retreat for the long shot based on the ball’s trajectory.

Upon seeing teammates near the ball’s landing point, he stepped back a few paces.

”Bang!” Ultimately, Koscielny headed the ball at a sharp angle, the football heavily contacted the dead corner of the opponent’s net, inducing a frenzy among the Arsenal fans.

One to zero!

”Oh...!” Arsenal players laughed as they ran towards the sidelines for celebration, Ma’el sprinted and leaped on Koscielny’s back.

Not having celebrated properly in the previous match, it’s time to let loose in this one.

However, the game’s progression took an unexpected turn. In the 35th minute of the match, Arsenal’s rotational center-back Zhu Lu received a yellow card.

Just 6 minutes later, he received a second yellow card and left the field, leaving a huge gap for the team.

Wenger stood at the sidelines with hands on his hips, pondering whether to sell Zhu Lu as well..... he has given this young man many chances, yet his growth rate is truly too slow to carry the banner.

Vermaelen came on, Walcott was substituted, forcing Ma’el to move central, and they played in a 4-3-2 formation.

Fulham gradually began to exert their efforts, taking advantage of Arsenal’s midfield and backfield chaos, initiating an aggressive attack mode.

”Boom!”

In the 63rd minute of the second half, Sidwell’s lob from outside the penalty area led to Szczeny’s mishandling, and Senderos followed with a shot to push the ball into the net, leveling the score.

”Yeah.....!” The home team fans cheered, Senderos, spirited, didn’t even celebrate after scoring, ran to fetch the football from the net, and sprinted to the center circle arc.

They vowed to break Arsenal’s unbeaten record and make sure their names are remembered in history!