From Arsenal to the Ball God

Chapter 788: Chapter 6: Shifting Public Opinion! Premier League’s Top Salary? Wembley Showdown with Chelsea! Beatles’ Songs at Wembley_5

Wenger and Philip also noticed, glancing out of the window and smiling.

Ma’el, noticing their expressions, took off his stress-relief headphones and curiously parted the curtains to look in the direction they were watching.

In front of a Louis Vuitton flagship store, there he was, dressed in brown, walking sideways, holding a square LV bag, with many close-up photos on either side.

And right beside the Louis Vuitton store was a Puma flagship store, with a huge paper model of him at the entrance.

“Buzz…!” As the bus traveled through another street, a series of magazine photos of him in Pepe denim hung under the streetlights ahead, striking various cool poses.

That wasn’t all. He soon saw a Dior endorsement cover photo, and even the large Coca-Cola posters on many supermarket doors featured his image, head tilted back, drinking Coke.

Just as Mendes said, after this, he had appeared in every corner of the city’s streets from all angles!

Presumably, this was not only in London but in other cities as well.

He was now like the face of football and sports in England, with his advertisement endorsements everywhere.

Ma’el smiled shyly, putting his headphones back on… This feeling, how to put it, was both the glory of fame and the surprise and slight embarrassment of seeing his face unexpectedly from time to time.

“We passed through 13 blocks, and I only saw one endorsement related to me.”

From the front row, Van Persie said sourly to Alexander Song beside him: “But I must have seen more than a dozen of his, some familiar, some clearly new.”

“He’s an international star now; there’s no comparison with him.”

Alexander Song glanced back at Ma’el with some gratitude in his eyes. Regardless of anything else, Ma’el brought him two championships and more quickly a highly-paid contract.

“We’re almost there.”

Wenger, noticing they were about to start chatting, quickly reminded them: “Think about the match, kids.”

No one spoke anymore. In the quiet atmosphere, the bus slowly approached Wembley Stadium until the fans’ shouts could be heard outside.

“We have Ma’el! We have the European champion! And you have nothing but money! The championship belongs to Arsenal… La la la…!”

“You call us oligarchs’ kids, but once you were hooked on Walmart’s son-in-law, you couldn’t wait to ask them to buy you players! You’re a bunch of cowards, a bunch of spineless red and white weaklings…!”

“We just won the Champions League last year, and you’ve never won the Champions League… Ohohoh…!!”

“Bang bang bang… Doo… Doodoo…!!”

The fans of both teams could be heard singing and cursing at each other, with many banging drums and lighting blue and red smoke bombs.

Ma’el peered through the curtain’s gap, seeing them and the distant Wembley Stadium, feeling a bit fired up.

The first official match of the new season had finally arrived. Long unable to wear the shirt and represent Arsenal on the official match field, he was eager!

He wanted to topple Chelsea, to win his fifth career championship, his fourth this year, and his third out of England’s top four professional competitions!

“Arsenal… Go!”

Over 30 minutes later, the players, having completed their warm-up inside Wembley Stadium, returned to the dressing room. After listening to Wenger’s final instructions, they clapped their hands to encourage each other as they entered the player tunnel.

Ma’el wore the captain’s armband, standing in the front row for the first time representing Arsenal in an official match, full of a sense of honor.

He gazed up at the grand Wembley Stadium roof, not concealing his respect for the stadium and his thirst for the championship.

He loved lifting the championship trophy in such a legendary stadium and looked forward to starting the new season in this way!

Media dubbed the Avengers Alliance?

The new Champions League champions who splashed £200 million to reinforce their squad?

To him, the former was a mere child’s play, and as for the latter, it wouldn’t cause him much pressure. After all, he also embarked on the new season full of honors!

Moreover, after last year’s Champions League defeat, he was waiting to wipe away his regrets with them.

“Beep beep!”

“Aaahh…..!!”

“Ma’el… Ma’el…..!!”

“Fabregas…! Fab…!”

With the referee’s whistle for play, Ma’el, holding a little mascot’s hand, walked out of Wembley Stadium amidst the cheers and excitement of the fans, waving his left hand in greeting to Arsenal fans.

The noon sun was just right, perfect for later lifting the Round Shield Trophy high, reflecting light onto every Arsenal fan’s face, letting them see the dawn of a new season!

“Ladies and gentlemen! Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the 12-13 season, England Community Shield Cup final match!

The two competing teams are Chelsea and Arsenal! Both teams have won all the most prestigious domestic and European championships last season!

Even the European Cup held after the season ended was won by the France team, built mainly with Arsenal players!

Especially after significant reinforcements, these two teams are very strong and full of confidence.

Their match will undoubtedly be one of the most intense clashes in English football and European football this season!”

In the commentary booth, Zhan Jun and his old friend Zhang Lu sat, as the main commentator, he introduced the basic situation of the match, “Let’s take a look at Chelsea’s starting lineup, which today is set in a 442 formation.