From Arsenal to the Ball God

”Haha...”

Philip immersed himself in this atmosphere, feeling very happy and satisfied... These are very simple emotions, but when they are high enough, they can become one’s spiritual sustenance.

On his way back, he also saw Dalglish shouting angrily on the sidelines, feeling the gazes of many Liverpool players and fans on his back.

Next, they have to withstand Liverpool’s counterattack. If they can end with a score of two to two, this first leg can be considered a victory!

At that time, he will enter the halls of the Golden Ball Award ceremony with a happy mood, to attend the first grand event of his life!

”Bang!”

”Pa!”

Liverpool indeed pressed forward heavily during the following time, and Dalglish quickly substituted in Suarez and other attackers, aiming to defeat Arsenal at home.

Wenger then also made adjustments and substitutions, with Henry wearing the number 12 jersey standing on the sidelines, smiling as he looked at a spot on the pitch.

In that place, Ma’el, temporarily wearing the number 11 jersey, walked down, reaching out his hands from afar.

”Pa!”

The two clapped hands, the young and strong new lion king fulfilled his mission in this game. Now, as he feels tired, the old lion king will take up the banner, charging onto the field to exert his remaining strength.

”Leave it to me.” Henry habitually winked his right eye at Ma’el, stepping lightly and smiling as he entered the pitch.

”Snap, snap!” Cameras on the side madly captured, taking photos of Henry outside the sideline and Ma’el inside.

Soon after, they captured the two bodies overlapping, as if they merged into one person.

When Ma’el walked smilingly to the outer sideline, Henry ran inside the pitch, officially completing the exchange.

”Snap, snap!” Another wave of shutter sounds arose, this time, photographers also captured Wenger on the sideline, looking at the scene with a face of emotion and relief.

What the old professor is thinking at this time will surely trigger speculation among fans; this will also become an iconic photo of the 11-12 season English League Cup.

If Arsenal can win the championship at the end of February, this scene will be widely spread, possessing deeper meaning; the weight of this inheritance will also be greater.

”Beep! Beep! Beep——!”

Finally, with three long whistles sounding, Liverpool failed to surpass the score again, Arsenal majestically left with two away goals.

”Two to two! Liverpool’s home ground witnessed Arsenal’s equalizer, falling into a disadvantage in this two-legged encounter!” — United Kingdom’s ”BBC”

”Magical Ma’el, with a running distance of 11,449m in 82 minutes, the proportions of jogging, mid-speed running, high-speed running, and sprinting were 5.2:3.3:0.9:0.6! High-intensity running distance sets a new high this season in English Football!” — ”The English FA Official”

”Grown a new lung? Ma’el just ended in the English League Cup match with a high-intensity running distance exceeding 1717 meters, becoming the league player with the most astonishing running distance this season!” — ”Football Record”

...

After the game ended, Arsenal’s schedule this month was halfway done.

Although they resiliently drew with Liverpool on the road, laying a solid foundation for entering the English League Cup final, the overall situation of the team in January is still not optimistic.

Vermaelen’s injuries will immediately make the already injury-plagued center-back position become very strained.

In the upcoming games, they can only dispatch the combination of Zhu Lu and Koscielny.

Discussing whether the stability of this combination is good or not is secondary; mainly, if they get injured again, Arsenal will really have to select players from the second and youth teams.

Reinforce with a center-back during the transfer window?

”No more money.”

Late at night in the office, the finance chief shrugged and shook his head at Wenger, ”If you want to sign Kyle Walker and give Ma’el, Van Persie, Alexander Song, and others a raise, the team can’t strengthen the center-back.

”Now, either give up pursuing Kyle Walker, or cut a few people’s signing fees, otherwise it’s very difficult.”

”Then let’s just hold on.” Philip also looked at the worried face of Wenger, ”The team has 5 center-backs, if there’s money, it’s justifiable to rent or buy one during the injury tide.

”But now there’s no money, buying one doesn’t seem to be the best choice.

”Mertesacker should be back in about two weeks, Vermaelen roughly a month and a half, Squillaci, who was heavily injured last season, should be fine by the end of the season.

”Let Zhu Lu and Koscielny hold on first, until these people recover and adjust to a good state.”

Wenger nodded, the worry on his face did not dissipate, ”Actually, I can accept these with a normal heart, except this season’s opportunities are too good.

”20 rounds of Premier League have passed, the team still remains undefeated, making me inevitably reminisce about the year 03-04.

”This month in the Premier League, we still have to face Swansea and Manchester United. I’m afraid we might halt our steps here, missing a good opportunity while suffering a blow.”

He seems unwilling to continue this topic, shook his head while lighting a cigarette, changing the conversation, ”Did you talk to Ma’el about Kyle Walker? Tottenham is already loosening up, the price we’re offering is very high.

”The player is going to attend the Golden Ball Award ceremony tomorrow, probably doesn’t have time?”

”He said he’ll talk to Kyle Walker at night.” Philip responded to Wenger, seeing the old gentleman’s mood become worried again, comforting him, ”Don’t worry, Mr. Wenger, fortunately, key player renewals are being pushed.

”First stabilize the internal morale, then... just leave the game to several key players.”