From Arsenal to the Ball God

”I’d really like to ask right now, can he break this record himself next season?!

”Gunners Fans! Enjoy the revelry! After surpassing Chelsea, the team is highly likely to face and defeat championship rivals Manchester City in the 36th round of the Premier League on the 28th, and lift the Premier League trophy again after seven years!

”Moreover, if Manchester City can’t defeat Manchester United in tomorrow’s 35th round match, Arsenal might win the championship early right after this game ends!

”Double Crown! So close!!”

”.....”

At the edge of the pitch, Wenger, Philip, Hans, and others immediately stood up and came to the sidelines to celebrate.

”Come on...!!”

The now-aged Wenger couldn’t come up with any creative celebration; almost every time he would clench his fists and raise his arms high, but obviously, the emotions he poured into it each time were different.

Seven years, it sounds like it passed in a flash, but that’s in comparison to his total tenure as Arsenal’s coach.

How many seven years does one have in a lifetime?

Over two thousand days of frustration and bitterness is not something an ordinary person can endure, especially for someone who has been successful before; he must digest and accept the extra sense of dissonance in it!

Fortunately, it’s all coming to an end. After a 2-0 victory over Chelsea, it looks like they’ll be able to lift the Premier League trophy in their next match!

”Clap clap clap...!”

Rookie coach Hans followed behind Wenger, clapping with a flushed face, filled with pride.

He was still a bit unused to this position, but when the goal happened, he couldn’t stay seated; his legs led him to this spot like they were on autopilot, celebrating with everyone else.

Beside them, on Chelsea’s bench, Didier Drogba sat wearing a vest, watching Ma’el with admiration.

”Ah...” he sighed softly; in the Premier League, only a few could score such awe-inspiring goals, including himself and Henry.

He didn’t expect to see an 18-year-old young forward burst onto the scene, maturely commanding this stage before he left the mainstream stage.

Ma’el is certainly better than them; if he could, he would like to stay on this stage and compete with such a talented young player.

Unfortunately, he was going to another Blue Army from this one; the Shen Hua Team awaited him far away in the East.

”Don’t want to leave?” Lampard was sitting right next to him; the two players who once succeeded together might understand each other’s feelings.

”No.”

Drogba shook his head, looking at Ma’el, he said with emotion, ”Just feels worthwhile to witness such a player emerge before I leave.

”Luckily, I stayed for one more year; otherwise, I could only watch him on TV at dawn in that unfamiliar place.”

Lampard chuckled, ”Can I take that as a high compliment?”

Drogba nodded, his gaze never leaving Ma’el.

”Aha...!!”

At the corner flag area, Ma’el, not sure what celebratory move to use to end the match, lay down looking at the sky, smiling blissfully as he continuously pumped his fists in the air.

Lying down defenselessly under the eyes of thousands is definitely not a safe move.

As long as one Arsenal fan wanted to throw something to mess with him, they’d surely succeed.

But he believed Arsenal fans at this very moment would not harm him; they would only look appreciatively at their absolute hero as the championship approached!

As he anticipated, the originally chaotic corner flag area became remarkably calm because he was lying there.

Apart from waving and shouting at him, not a single scarf or hat was thrown down, not even small objects like bottle caps; everyone feared hurting him.

This allowed him to lie there more peacefully, enjoying the happiness of the almost certain victory.

After getting up, Ma’el jumped over the advertising board into the fan area, shaking his hands and shouting with the fans his favorite chant, ”Vamos...!”

Other Arsenal players joined in soon after, merging with the fans.

wins, here we come!

”Arsenal beats Chelsea 2-0! Total points reach 93! Leading Mancini’s Manchester City by 10 points with one more game played!” — United Kingdom ”Football Record”

”End of championship suspense! Arsenal is about to lift the 4th league championship trophy of the Wenger era!” — ”BBC” column

”Ma’el scores his 38th league goal! Moving towards 40 goals!” — France ”L’Equipe”

...

April 22, Manchester’s Twin Heroes faced a heated Manchester Derby.

The match kicked off at 3:30 PM, with Manchester City fans and the local rival fans singing in unison, debating what color the sky over Manchester City actually was.

In the first half, regular time passed calmly, with neither team getting any good opportunities.

Until the 1st minute of extra time, a corner kick from David Silva flew towards the far post.

”Boom!”

Belgium National Team captain Kompany jumped near the far post, outplaying Phil Jones to head the ball into the net.

One-nil!

Manchester City was ahead!

This was the only goal of the first half and the only goal of the whole match!

”Beep! Beep! Beep—!”

When the referee blew the final long whistle three times, Manchester City defeated Manchester United one-nil, winning the Derby and dragging the championship suspense to the next game.

”F*****...!!”

”B****...!!”

Amidst the ’friendly’ greetings from the fans on both sides, the two team coaches came to the sideline to shake hands and perform post-match rituals.

Originally two people who couldn’t see eye to eye, now had a hint of mutual appreciation at this moment.

”Great win, now you can go challenge Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.”

Ferguson, with a faint smile, teased Mancini, ”You originally didn’t have to watch Wenger win the championship right before your eyes, but you won this Derby.”

”We will also beat Arsenal.”

Mancini appeared very serious, only smiling after saying the second sentence, ”If we win, they will have to wait until the season ends to lift the trophy.

”We want to make Wenger uncomfortable, leave this respected ’Chief’ lonely for one more half month.”

”Haha...!” The two shook hands and laughed heartily.

They also jointly acknowledged at this moment that Arsenal was the super team dominating the league this season!

And what they had to do had turned from fighting for the championship to possibly teasing Wenger, their old rival.

One had to admit... looking back now, Arsenal indeed had an astonishing season!

”Top of the table: Arsenal 35 rounds, 29 wins, 6 draws, points 93. Second on the table: Manchester City 35 rounds, 27 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses, points 86. Third on the table: Manchester United 35 rounds, 25 wins, 6 draws, 4 losses, points 81.” — Premier League Standings