[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-foresight":3,"chapter-foresight-foresight-chapter-12":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","FORESIGHT",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1847410,2452,"Chapter 12 12: First Team Training 2","foresight-chapter-12",12,"\u003Cp>Wenger stood quietly on the sidelines, arms folded, brow furrowed. He wasn't watching the starters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His real attention was on the substitutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More specifically, Arteta and Gervinho.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arteta had been a stabilizing presence in midfield, his experience and calm proving invaluable. Gervinho, on the other hand, had been disappointing. Wenger envisioned him as a winger—someone with a fast pace down the flanks. But so far, the performances hadn't lived up to the potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The starters were on the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rosický slid a pass to Arshavin, who spun and attempted to find Van Persie, who had dropped deeper to receive the ball and transition play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before the ball reached its target, a flash of yellow broke into the channel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arshavin blinked. Out of nowhere, a substitute wearing a yellow bib executed a perfect sliding tackle, clipped the ball cleanly with his toe, got up mid-slide, steadied himself with two quick steps, and immediately sent a pass forward to Arteta.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire field paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Arshavin stood stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an impeccable challenge—clean, efficient, and disruptive to the starters' rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's him again,\" Arshavin muttered, frustrated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger raised his eyebrows and turned to his staff. \"Did anyone see how he got there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coaches glanced at each other, caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They'd been focused on Arteta and Gervinho, not Kai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had he gotten there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai's interception stunned the starters, and Arteta wasted no time in launching a counterattack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai didn't join the rush forward. Instead, he backpedaled to take up a position near Arteta.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his limitations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't yet comfortable with Arsenal's quick passing rhythm or tight dribbling spaces. Charging forward would only clog the lanes. Better to stay back and provide cover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to Arteta's creative spark, the ball was soon in the box. Chamberlain received the pass but hesitated. One touch too many. A defender closed in and stripped the ball clean before he could shoot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clearance flew high, dropping into the open midfield—Arteta and Benayoun had advanced too deep, leaving space behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walcott chased it, eyes fixed on the falling ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a sharp whistle in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai flew in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaping high, he beat Walcott to the ball with a clean header, sending it out of bounds and buying time for his team to regroup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he landed, his chest was slightly heaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back-to-back defensive efforts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned to look at Kai—two big plays in under a minute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An interception. A clearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to be everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Alex Song, lining up with the starters, slapped his thigh and muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a fellow holding midfielder, Song knew how hard those plays were to pull off, especially with such clean timing. Maybe luck played a part, but Song wasn't sure he could've executed them as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai's back-to-back efforts completely disrupted the starters' momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the coaches on the sideline exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think I see it now,\" said a voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The coaching staff turned toward Tony Colbert, the team's fitness coach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He didn't join the attack. He chose to stay back and cover the risk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony pointed to the now-filled midfield zone. \"He must've realized that if the attack failed, that spot would be exposed. So he covered it early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused. \"That's good awareness. Great positional sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony scratched his head and added, \"And he's got a knack for reading passes and judging space.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Wenger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger gave a subtle nod in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the pitch, Pat Rice—acting as the referee—blew the whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned toward the coaches with a smug smile, as if to say, Now that's your midfield enforcer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nice work!\" Arteta called out as he jogged back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave Kai a firm pat on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Kai's covering defense, the subs could've easily conceded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai grinned, bumped his fist gently against Arteta's chest, and said, \"You go forward. I'll hold the midfield.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arteta blinked, then laughed and nodded. \"That's what I like to hear.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt good, having a defensive partner he could count on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Kai anchoring the midfield, the substitute team slowly gained control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai and Arteta—defense and control—worked in sync.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as Kai kept up his strong play, teammates began to involve him more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They passed him the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Kai, it was a sign: they were starting to trust him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he remained cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his ball-handling wasn't at the same level yet. He avoided dwelling on the ball, limiting himself to one or two touches before moving it on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first choice was always Arteta. He was the playmaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Arteta wasn't available, Kai looked for Benayoun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the two was always nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that simple, disciplined approach, Kai settled in and started to shine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Chamberlain struggled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than 20 minutes in, he was drenched in sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The starters' defense pressured him relentlessly, and his frustration built with every missed touch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing turned ragged. His movements grew frantic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to him, Kai was fitting in. Earning trust. Becoming a central figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Chamberlain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn't done anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to score. He had to perform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he kept pressing, charging forward like a bull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I must score. I have to do something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the silence was deafening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passes zipped around, but no one shouted. No one encouraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger frowned on the sidelines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one was talking. No one was leading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That tension flowed from the starters and infected the subs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger glanced at Van Persie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The captain remained quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he looked at Arteta.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger sighed. Arteta wasn't the vocal type. It wasn't in his nature to bark orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Arsenal needed someone to break this heavy silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And no one stepped up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger tilted his face to the sun, its glare making him squint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the training ground felt dim, as if clouded by something darker than weather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Chamberlain fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He failed to control a pass from Arteta and hit the ground hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lay there, fists clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe I'll just stay down, he thought. I don't want to keep going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had played terribly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone watched quietly, waiting for him to get up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, out of nowhere, a voice roared across the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heads turned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Near the center circle stood Kai, face filled with frustration, yelling at the top of his lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get up, idiot! One bad play and you're giving up? That's it? You're going to waste all this over that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice rang out again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stand up! You want to quit now? You're Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain! Act like it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Chamberlain didn't move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai stormed toward him, voice even louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't make me drag your sorry ass off that grass!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chamberlain slowly pushed himself up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai reached him, eyes blazing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to score goals?\" he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chamberlain nodded weakly. \"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then say it. Out loud. Communicate. We're a team, not mind readers. You want the ball? Talk. You want to win? Say it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai's voice echoed. Everyone could hear him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chamberlain took a deep breath. \"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai clapped a hand on his shoulder. \"That's more like it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he noticed the stunned silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was staring at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai glanced at Arteta. \"Problem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arteta blinked, then smiled. \"No problem. You nailed it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai turned to the rest of the team, then muttered something under his breath in Mandarin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hopeless.\u003C\u002Fp>",1235,"2026-06-09T07:00:21.211Z",1,"novelbin.me","0691b3cccd4c7a5cd270764319ec4cf13cb572b06ef62d76e53e224f5a5eca1a","foresight-chapter-13","foresight-chapter-11",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fforesight-cover.jpg"]