From Arsenal to the Ball God

Ma’el called out, laughing as he walked forward, ”I heard you went to take the coaching license exam, how did it go?”

Hans initially looked ecstatic, but then put on a sad face, ”I failed, I’m about to be axed, came to say goodbye today.”

”Don’t joke.” Ma’el didn’t believe him at all, patted his shoulder and stepped up to hug him, ”I asked with the answer, Wenger already told us you’re joining the coaching staff.”

”Heh heh.”

Hans showed a smile again, his right hand heavily moved up and down on Ma’el, ”You’ve gotten stronger, are we going to see a stronger Ma’el next season?”

”You’ll see it in the next game.” Ma’el said with a laugh, and they headed together to the meeting room.

”I hope so.”

Hans looked spirited, old friends always have endless things to say when they meet, he talked about his recent situation to Ma’el, ”I thought I would join the coaching staff next season, but unexpectedly I completed the registration yesterday.

”It’s really great, not only can I work with you in advance, but there’s also a chance to scrape together a top league championship trophy.

”Tell me, if we really win the championship, would other colleagues seeing my resume with an extra championship be furious?”

”It’s indeed possible.” Ma’el smiled and nodded, ”Nowadays, why bother to add ’if’, you should just say, the championship won’t be a problem.

”Just see, when we can lift that trophy.”

”You’re right.”

The two chatted, arm in arm, reaching the meeting room to find many others already seated.

Ma’el saw there were spots beside Sagna and Arteta, walked over to sit down and chatted gossip with the players.

”I heard the club is going to solicit players’ opinions, there’s going to be a voting decision.”

Sagna leaned to Ma’el, passing on hearsay, ”It’s about Usmanov and Kroenke, the board wants to see who we want to lead Arsenal.”

”Really?” Ma’el frowned, ”Why would the team do such a survey? Are the two still deadlocked?”

Sagna nodded, ”I guess so, they want to strengthen their persuasion with our opinion.”

”So.....” Ma’el pondered, ”This seemingly frivolous vote might actually affect the outcome of their contest?

”But the problem is Kroenke never shows up, always stays behind the scenes; Usmanov often comes to the training base, yet wanders like a ghost, not focused on us.

”Most players don’t know them, how could they decide?”

He had a basic impression of the two, but clearly other Arsenal players didn’t, this vote looked like a joke inside and out.

Arteta, listening beside them, couldn’t help but say, ”I suspect we will soon know them, they’ll come in contact with us.

”Even if they don’t meet everyone, they’re sure to contact key players who can influence team decisions.

”Ma’el, you and Van Persie be ready to meet them, and help us make a good choice, we’ll listen to the opinions of you two.”

Ma’el shot him a look, thinking it might indeed happen.

If Kroenke and Usmanov understand that they must decide after this season’s heaven-sent opportunity arrives, yet still can’t agree, they’ll have to do it this way.

Like Russian roulette, placing themselves on the betting table, deciding their stay in a near game-like manner.

Of course, to them it looks like a game, but certainly not to the club.

Ma’el didn’t think too much, seemingly he was bound to interact with the two sooner or later; he just needed to make the choice he felt was most fitting according to the situation.

”Ahem.” Wenger entered the meeting room, reminding the players on stage: ”The match is about to start, calm down and carefully follow their tactical approach, pressing tactics, etc.

”I’ve said before, we don’t need to care about the result, we only need to care about the end-of-month game.”

”Alright!” The players agreed, and the match soon kicked off.

...

”Beep!”

West Midlands County, Molineux Stadium, the referee blew the whistle to start the match.

”Wham...!” A few minutes later, torrential rain poured, drenched the field and made Mancini’s long hair stick to his scalp.

April is the last notably rainy month in England, the sudden rain didn’t impair the two teams’ fierce confrontation; they fought for possession in midfield.

”Bang bang... bang...!”

In the 26th minute of the match, former Arsenal player Klich drove the ball along the flank into the front field, executed a one-two with David Silva, and bypassed Wolves’ fullback.

Klich, reaching the baseline, sent in a low cross. He’s amassed quite a few assists this season and is confident in his crossing skill.

”Bang!!”

At the near post, Aguero appeared, getting a foot to the ball before the defender and sent it toward the far corner.

The ball slipped through the gap between Ward’s legs towards the net, bypassed De Vries’ outstretched fingers, and ended in the net with a ”whoosh!!”

”Yeah...!” The traveling Manchester City fans erupted in joyful cheering, the goal scorer Aguero took advantage of the slick pitch to slide on his knees nearly 10 meters.

Mancini clenched his fist on the sideline, still sporting a blue and white Manchester City scarf today.

Under his fervent ’endorsement’, the scarf was nearly sold out, yet the club hadn’t paid him any advertising fee.