From Arsenal to the Ball God

Van Persie pointed to Ma’el and ran to the sideline, the two of them roaring and sliding on their knees together.

”The Van-Ma connection! One of the most classic connections in the Premier League and the world of football this season! The pressure on Arsenal has eased a lot, if the score remains till the end, they can at least secure a draw!

”This is definitely acceptable! Even if they only get 1 point, they will become the team with the most points in Premier League history after 30 rounds of the league!

”They will have 78 points by then! And there are 8 rounds left in the league!

”I’m almost sure that this season’s Premier League champion will have more than 90 points, and it might even break Mourinho’s record of 95 points from the 04-05 season!

”I just wonder if there will be a team challenging for a three-digit score, that would be very difficult, will it happen?”

”...”

Two minutes after this goal, Ma’el seized another opportunity at the edge of the penalty area.

”Boom!”

He caught Walcott’s advance on the flank, using the same trick again, curling a surgical straight pass into the gap behind the opponent’s full-back and center-back.

The football pierced Newcastle’s defense like a sharp sword, and slowed down just right on Walcott’s running path.

Doing too much shooting for too long seems to have made many people forget that Ma’el’s number of Premier League assists this season is approaching 20.

He initially debuted in the Championship as a typical winger playmaker, with perhaps a long shot added on.

Since he wasn’t given the chance to score personally, he aimed to use his passing skills to help the team win!

”Boom!!”

On the right flank, Walcott didn’t need much adjustment and fiercely struck the ball with his right foot towards the goal.

”Pop!” But he let down Arsenal fans and Ma’el, as the ball struck the goalkeeper and bounced to the other side of the box.

”Dun dun dun!”

Luckily, Ma’el’s quick reaction surpassed Danny Simpson, who was also on that side, and he hit the ground running towards the falling point of the ball.

Danny Simpson paused for a moment before trying to start, but it was too late, Ma’el had already overtaken him.

There was nothing he could do, as the defender marking Ma’el, he had done a good job for the first 70 minutes, but the constant pressure made it impossible for him to stay focused.

The new Newcastle manager seemed reluctant to substitute, fearing that the newcomer wouldn’t adapt to the intensity and would be directly overpowered by Ma’el.

Either way, it was all giving Ma’el opportunities, as none could contain him!

It seems that apart from top defensive combinations, regular Premier League defenders might only be able to restrict Ma’el when he’s off form.

In the penalty area, seeing a center-back coming over to cover, Ma’el didn’t rush to shoot.

”Pop!”

He lifted his right foot, flicked the ball to the left forwards smoothly, and slipped past the defender.

Suddenly the view was bright, the flustered goalkeeper and the large empty goal space were wide open.

”Oh...!” Fans at the Emirates Stadium started celebrating early, believing Ma’el wouldn’t miss such a chance.

”Boom!!”

Ma’el’s left foot blasted at the underside of the ball, creating a powerful close-range shot.

He didn’t aim for the goal gap, just relying on his shooting feel to strike the ball.

Fortunately, the ball gained height, flying over the goalkeeper into the top corner of the net.

A powerful shot into the net!

32nd Premier League goal!

”Yeahhhh.....!”

Amidst the screams of more than 50,000 Arsenal fans, Ma’el’s adrenaline surged, and he quickly ran towards the corner flag area of the pitch.

He first kissed his right index finger, then excitedly waved to the sky, finally sliding on the grass edge one more time, gliding six or seven meters.

Rising up, he once again punched the air towards the jubilant fans, ”Come on...!!”

The rushing Arsenal fans surrounded him again, while unnoticed elsewhere, the Newcastle United players silently collected the ball and ran to the center circle waiting for the kickoff.

”Scoring in consecutive games! When Arsenal is in trouble, that man always steps up!!

”Ma’el now sits alone in third place for the single-season goal record in the Premier League! Ahead of him, there are only two more!

”With 8 rounds of matches left, I believe that as long as he doesn’t get injured or suspended, he will continue to advance one step at a time, reaching the top!”

”This could very well be a winning goal; there isn’t much time left. Newcastle wants to attack, which will inevitably give Arsenal space in the backfield, and Arsenal has been utilizing that space well recently.”

”...”

”The extra time board has been raised, with only 1 minute added; this might be Newcastle’s last offensive wave.

”If they lose possession again, Ma’el might take the ball to the flank to protect it and waste time.

”This is Demba Ba, who joined the team at the beginning of the season for 800,000 Euro from West Ham United, and now he is worth 15 million Euros.

”He’s looking for support from his teammates, almost being intercepted by Alexander Song..... he tries one shot! Oh oh oh.....! I can’t believe my eyes, the ball deflected into the net! An equalizer!”

”....”

”Aha...!”

The Emirates Stadium fell into sudden silence, as Newcastle United fans’ cheers filled the ground.

At Arsenal’s defensive midfield position, Alexander Song stood bewildered, as Demba Ba rushed past him, running with teammates to the corner flag area to celebrate together.

An equalizer!

This opportunity wasn’t good, and Demba Ba’s shot quality wasn’t necessarily high..... but the ball ricocheted off his blocking foot, flying into the net at an unusual angle.