[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-foresight":3,"chapter-foresight-foresight-chapter-16":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},1847414,2452,"Chapter 16 16: Where It All Began","foresight-chapter-16",16,"\u003Cp>The next day, the Arsenal squad departed for Manchester.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai stood by, watching the first-team players dressed in sharp training kits, ready to board the bus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chamberlain caught his eye—his hair was slicked back with wax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chamberlain looked mighty pleased with himself as he stepped on the bus, full of swagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai muttered under his breath, \"Good luck out there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the first team had gone, only a handful of substitutes remained at the training ground—players who hadn't made the matchday squad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai didn't pay them much attention. Instead, he headed straight for the equipment room to continue his strength training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was working towards a target: 80 kilograms, with enough bulk and power to stand his ground on the pitch, plus the necessary ball control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Pat's plan, Kai was expected to reach his goal by Christmas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both of them were committed to the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long day at the training ground, Kai didn't stay behind for extra drills. Instead, he went straight back to Billy's house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy was already waiting for him at the door. After a quick change upstairs, the two headed out towards London.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a 45-minute drive from the facility to central London, and they chatted along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy shared his thoughts on the upcoming match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think Arsenal can repeat last year's feat,\" he said. \"Beat United 1-0 at Old Trafford again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai didn't respond. He simply stared out the car window, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been three months since he joined Arsenal, but apart from a quick trip through the city when he first arrived, he hadn't seen much of London.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, he was curious. This was one of the most iconic cities in the world, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had resisted the urge to explore, choosing instead to focus on training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their destination was a place called Dale Square in the Woolwich district of London—though it's now more commonly called Woolwich Square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Technically, while people refer to London as a \"city,\" it isn't classified as a city in England's administrative system. Rather, it's one of the two sub-districts under Greater London.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greater London, in turn, is one of England's first-level administrative divisions. It includes the City of London and 32 boroughs—33 areas in total.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greenwich is one of those boroughs, and Woolwich lies within it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, Arsenal is one of the Premier League's most prestigious clubs, considered a footballing giant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn't always the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the mid-19th century, workers at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich—a weapons factory—formed a football club.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because their meeting point was in Dale Square, they named the club after it: Dale Square.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the beginning of Arsenal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the club grew and its first real financial backer arrived, it rebranded as Arsenal and relocated from Woolwich to Highbury, in North London.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the time, Woolwich was considered a suburban backwater. It made sense from a business and sporting perspective to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for many diehard fans, the decision was heartbreaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They tried to oppose the move but failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To this day, some still refer to Arsenal as Woolwich Arsenal or simply Woolwich, honoring the club's roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These are a unique group of supporters. They don't attend games at the Emirates, but they call themselves Arsenal's true fans. They follow everything about the club.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why people often say: \"If you want to see the real Arsenal, go to Woolwich.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, the area has transformed from a quiet suburb into a bustling district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the heart of Woolwich Square stands a large sign:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is Woolwich—Dale Square, where it all began.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the left, a lively pedestrian street stretched out, lit up by neon signs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was crowded with people, and here and there, Kai spotted fans wearing Arsenal shirts. But more noticeable were the black jerseys worn by another group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their crest was different from the current one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of the modern logo, these jerseys bore a shield with three upturned cannons and decorative leaves on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai eyed them curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy noticed and said, \"That's the original club crest. Most folks around here still support Arsenal, but they're not too keen on Wenger's version of the team.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard similar complaints—some long-time fans felt the club had lost its edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The team played attractive football, but crumbled in high-pressure moments. Mental toughness was in short supply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sentiment had only grown stronger after Vieira left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was alive and well here, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked further down the buzzing street before Billy stopped in front of a bar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was called the Oak Bar, and a sign outside read:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsenal fans only tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy pushed open the door and led Kai inside. The place was packed and noisy, thick with smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai wrinkled his nose and waved a hand in front of his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy made his way to the bar and called out to a stocky middle-aged man, \"Kelvin! A strong whisky!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man was bald, broad-shouldered, and wore a vest that showed off his tattooed biceps. On one arm, a battery symbol—the old Arsenal logo—was inked clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only die-hard fans went that far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this die-hard hadn't been to the Emirates in years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Billy explained, they did watch home matches—just not since Wenger took over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger had tried to mend the bond with this group, but nothing came of it. Eventually, he gave up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That cold relationship had lasted nearly a decade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope you're calling a cab after this one,\" Kai heard someone say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kelvin gave a wry grin. \"I've heard enough of Elena's yelling. Don't worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy chuckled and raised his glass. \"I never drink and drive!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai squinted. Sure looks like borderline drunk-driving to me…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy turned to introduce him. \"This is our new member!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kelvin raised his eyebrows. \"We haven't had a new one in a while. Asian? Fantastic—we don't care where you're from, as long as you're a Gooner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slid a pint of beer across the counter toward Kai. \"On the house!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, hey, hold up!\" Billy quickly interjected. \"He's only seventeen—and he's a player!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kelvin froze. \"Arsenal player?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Billy nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kelvin narrowed his eyes. \"You know our rule. No softies allowed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's not like the others,\" Billy said, dead serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They locked eyes for a moment, then Kelvin gave a short nod. \"Alright. I'll keep an eye on him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he raised his voice: \"Alright, everyone, we've got a recruit! Beers are on me tonight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bar erupted with cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Long live the Meadows!\" the crowd roared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kelvin grinned and extended his hand. \"Kelvin Meadows. Leader of the Black Jersey supporter group.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai's eyes widened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kelvin Meadows?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn't he the guy who co-founded the Black Scarf Movement later?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That protest group would eventually help push Wenger out, over weak performances, rising ticket prices, and frustration with the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They'd marched from Highbury to the Emirates by the thousands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even called Meadows the man who forced Wenger out and pried open the wallet of Arsenal's tight-fisted owner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai quickly composed himself and reached out to shake his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Le K—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He's Lucky!\" Billy interrupted gleefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai's face turned red. \"Don't go giving people nicknames without asking!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meadows laughed heartily. \"Lucky? Not bad! Let's hope you bring some luck to Arsenal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai sighed. If this keeps up, that nickname might stick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Meadows poured him a glass of juice and handed over a straw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By now, the energy in the bar was electric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The TV mounted on the wall switched to live coverage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Old Trafford, the players were warming up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's show United what we're made of!\" someone shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We did the double over them last season—let's do it again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kai watched silently. The passion here reflected the optimism of the broader Arsenal fanbase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they didn't know what was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsenal started strong, but their aggression earned them an early yellow. Arshavin fouled high up the pitch—his reward was a caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That foul ignited Manchester United's fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the 22nd minute, Anderson set up Welbeck for the opening goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bar went silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, in the 26th minute, Evans and Ashley Young cut down Arsenal's counterattack with fierce tackles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walcott was taken out hard—he rolled on the ground, clutching his leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides crowded in, tempers flared, and a scuffle nearly broke out before being diffused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something felt off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite being fouled, the Arsenal players looked timid, even apologetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were getting pushed around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kelvin Meadows' face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is what we've become? No backbone. No grit,\" he muttered. \"No real fighters under Wenger anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1439,"2026-06-09T07:00:21.211Z",1,"novelbin.me","3a3934572203fa5ab3bf30427f93d092801eaad130d823773d94805a3fe3f8ed","foresight-chapter-17","foresight-chapter-15",405,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fforesight-cover.jpg"]