From Arsenal to the Ball God

In the 86th minute of the match, Van Persie received a cross from Ma’el on the flank, attempting a header towards the goal, but it was slightly off target, skimming past about two feet from the far post.

”Oh....!” A mix of exclamations and regretful murmurs filled the Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal fans showed their disappointment.

However, it’s not entirely unacceptable. Even if this match ends in a draw, they have achieved a superb record of 7 wins and 1 draw in the last 8 rounds, and they remain undefeated for the season!

”Arsenal...Arsenal...!!”

Singing resonated inside the stadium as fans began to comfort the players, urging them not to be affected by the setback and to keep pushing forward.

A team that always wins fears losing or drawing, and this is something they understand well... When some players become accustomed to victory, they find it difficult to accept draws and defeats in a short time. It’s hard to react and tough to adjust.

When their 49-match unbeaten streak ended 7 years ago, the team went through a similar situation, quickly encountering a period of decline.

They hope that with past lessons learned, the players can adjust their mindset and calmly accept the regret of not obtaining 3 points.

”Boom!”

In the 89th minute, Ma’el took a shot from outside the box, meeting an opponent’s clearance with an aerial strike. Unfortunately, he rushed it, and the ball soared directly into the stands.

He rubbed his face, returning to his position, ready to seize another opportunity.

He hasn’t given up yet, hoping to achieve an 8-match winning streak at home!

In the first minute of injury time, the attack initiated down the right flank, with Gervinho and Sagna engaging in a two-on-two against the opponent’s full-back and center-back.

When an opposing midfielder joined in, Walcott also moved in to support, forming a localized three-on-three situation.

”Dun dun dun!”

Ultimately, thanks to Walcott’s speed, Arsenal secured a crossing opportunity down the flank.

”Boom!”

Walcott arrived at the ball and, aiming towards Van Persie’s head in the center, delivered a cross.

In the box, Van Persie was matched by Smith, who was slightly taller, giving him an advantage when leaping up.

Smith glanced outside the box, seeing Ramsey and Rosicky poised for a fierce shot, changed his strategy before the header clearance, exerting force to head the ball towards the opposite flank.

”Bang!”

It’s a decent decision; clearing the ball towards the middle is foolish, especially when there are no teammates in position.

Smith barely grazed the bottom of the football, giving it height and force, propelling it vigorously towards the right sideline of their box.

”Block it!!!”

In a panicked voice, the goalkeeper shouted to his teammates.

As he landed and turned, he saw Ma’el, wearing a red and white jersey, shifting his weight to the right side, raising his right arm, and swinging his left leg in preparation for an aerial strike.

He was going for the airborne shot!

Initially, Smith was somewhat flustered but not overly alarmed, because aerial strikes typically align better with balls coming from the same side.

Like striking left-side balls with the left foot or right-side balls with the right foot.

Ma’el, on the edge of the box, aimed for a tight angle shot with his left foot against a right-side ball in an aerial strike, which required a high leg lift. The difficulty was akin to scaling a mountain.

How skilled are his reverse foot technique, coordination, aerial strike ability, and his sense of the goal to make a successful shot?

”Boom!!!”

A sound resonated throughout the stadium as Ma’el’s left foot made contact with the ball, his body crouched for maximum force.

At this moment, he absolutely used all his strength, his left foot tightly stretched, and his leg lifted to his abdomen.

Brutal aerial strike!

Shoot!!

Smith’s expression changed, seeing the execution’s quality far beyond an ordinary shot...

His eyes followed the ball at Ma’el’s feet, and like everyone present, within a fraction of a second, he gazed towards the goal.

”Swoosh!!” The ball was so fast that it was hard to capture visually, and by the time they saw it, it had already hit the far corner’s net.

The goal is in!

”Oh oh oh.....!!” The ground at Emirates Stadium shook, the stands wobbled, ready to crumble at any moment.

”Winning goal!!”

”Absolute stunner!!”

”Ah!”

”Ma’el, my God!”

”8 in a row!!”

Fans shouted frenziedly, leaning forward to get closer to Ma’el...the security personnel quickly readied themselves as this was when fans were most likely to rush the pitch.

”Ma’el!”

”Yeah... Ma’el!”

”Oh... Leon!!”

Arsenal’s teammates also shouted Ma’el’s name, almost speechless, knowing not what else to say, just calling out his name.

From all sides, they rushed towards Ma’el, some chasing from behind, others intercepting his route as he ran.

Under the spotlight, Ma’el laughed heartily, sprinting towards the edge of the pitch, sidestepping Rosicky’s interception with one stride, accelerating past Van Persie’s pursuit, running solo to the edge, raising his arms high.

Premier League’s 31st goal!

Scoring streak continues!

Coming even closer to the record!

The excitement he felt was beyond words, just about to roar away his emotions when suddenly he remembered the opponent was Sheffield United.

Old club!

He suddenly forgot completely, for the human brain in intense excitement often blocks out certain things.