[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god":3,"chapter-from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-chapter-8":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","From Arsenal to the Ball God",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},925677,1216,"Chapter 8: The Match Begins!","from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-chapter-8",8,"\u003Cp>The following day, at Arsenal’s Korni Training Base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the U17 training ground, cameras on high stands were set up early to prepare for the recording of footage later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An intense showdown belonging to the young lads is about to begin here!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 3 PM, Arsenal U17 players appeared on the field and started their warm-up training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, Liverpool’s young players arrived by coach, walked into the field, and immediately began to change clothes and warm up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the well-established youth training system of European Football, even such away-friendly matches for youth teams are not surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clubs are generous in their investment in youth teams, sparing no effort to create a better growth environment for young players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because as long as a good prospect is cultivated, the returns will be thousands of times multiplied!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over ten minutes later, some Arsenal fans who heard the news gradually flowed in from the sidelines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of them were holding popcorn and beer, all ready to comfortably watch the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, lads!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can definitely win! Whether you’re trial players or contract players!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beat Liverpool!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsenal fans shouted loudly, and those who came to watch the youth team matches were mostly die-hard fans of the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They are willing to give everything to support the team and focus on its future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike usual, today saw a particularly large crowd, a full three hundred people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed they had heard the news that Mr. Wenger would be present, planning to catch a glimpse of the first-team manager up close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh... he’s here, he’s really here!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t take long for a tall figure to appear suddenly at the entrance of the field, he walked gracefully towards the team’s coaching seat, preparing to sit with the match-commanding coach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Clap clap clap clap...\" A roar of applause erupted, this was the fans’ way of expressing their love and support for Wenger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing their applause, Wenger turned around to greet the fans on the stands, causing another stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, a few people in the corner of the fan section with calm expressions caught his attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were middle-aged men around their forties, dressed very seriously, holding a notebook and a pen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scouts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wenger glanced at them deeply and turned his head away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they were thinking about loans, he would welcome their visit and gladly accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if they wanted to poach a few players to their own club, he wouldn’t show them any friendliness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He just saw us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the stands, a scout from Leeds United smiled and reminded the person next to him, \"Should we tell him that we want their U17 captain, Gilbert?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looking for trouble, don’t you know Mr. Wenger hates this the most?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Sheffield United scout frowned at him, \"Also, I estimate Gilbert will move up to the first team in the next year or two, he won’t follow us, only a loan is possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not necessarily.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Burnley scout joined the topic, speaking eloquently, \"If you can offer a high price, given Arsenal’s finances and character, they shouldn’t refuse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Try buying first-team players like Fabregas, Wilshere then?\" Sheffield United scout retorted him, rolling his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can’t do that, but getting a few youth team players is simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Burnley scout smiled and said, \"Alright, it’s starting soon, let’s say less, scouts rely on their abilities to spot players.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those nearby turned their attention to the field, hoping to discover one or two good prospects through this match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 3:30 PM, players on both sides opened up the battle in the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma’el stood on the left side of Arsenal’s formation as a winger, he roughly observed Liverpool’s formation, a traditional 4-2-3-1.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This should be following their first-team manager Benitez’s in terms of tactics, with high pressing upfront, forcing Arsenal’s backfield to struggle with easy ball distribution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There will be many high balls, but heading is not my strength, need to pay more attention to second balls after the aerial duels.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma’el made a judgment in his mind, he was just waiting to get the ball, ready to take a shot at Liverpool’s goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at the opponent’s goalkeeper, he smiled slightly, a bit expectant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whistle!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon the referee blew the whistle signaling the official start of the match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the first half, Liverpool U17 gained possession of the ball; their black center forward kicked the ball back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Press! Midfield push up near the halfway line, be careful not to press high!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arsenal captain Gilbert waved to direct his teammates, leading players of three lines to run forward and apply pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, they did not adopt a high pressing tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liverpool’s playing style has always been straightforward and forceful, being too forward means the defensive line would face great pressure from balls played over the top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang! Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the backfield, Liverpool’s simple passing twice quickly led to a long pass aimed towards Arsenal’s backfield flank, attempting to push the attacking line forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ball was cleared out of bounds by Arsenal’s right-back using a header, posing no threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liverpool’s tactical goal had been achieved; all their players were squeezed into Arsenal’s backfield right flank, waiting for an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma’el was furthest from his own right side, he didn’t pay much attention to the team’s defense but continued to observe the Liverpool defender marking him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was waiting for a chance to receive the ball.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liverpool’s attack ultimately ended with a crossing; the cross lacked quality, directly caught by Arsenal’s goalkeeper Hopkins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hopkins roughly observed, seeing a large number of Liverpool players accumulating in his own half, he discarded any short pass ideas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With one hand, he tossed the ball up, turned sideways, and volleyed the ball to the front field, searching for Gilbert positioned in the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t be fooled by Gilbert wearing number 10, his height is a solid 187, he has some ability to contest headers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Schlock!\" After jumping up, Gilbert nudged the ball backward, attempting to catch Liverpool’s defense off-guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of backward flick keeps accuracy; hopeful that, before the other side can respond, it might directly chip one over them for teammates to chase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Landing on the ground, Gilbert quickly turned his head to observe the situation in the front field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saw the ball land on the left flank, where Ma’el was racing against the opposing defender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My ball!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Liverpool defender was obviously running a bit faster, catching up with the ball first, preparing to return it to the goalkeeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ma’el reacted promptly; upon realizing he couldn’t catch up, he directly gave up chasing and surged towards the opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This defender was more of a frail, agile type of full-back, judging from appearance his ability to withstand physical challenges was almost nil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thump!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The muffled sound of body contact echoed, the Liverpool defender suddenly plunged to the ground like a kite with a broken string, immediately gesturing to the referee in indignation, \"Hey! No foul?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking his head, the referee signaled no foul, instructed him to get up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly bracing his hand on the ground trying to rise, but Ma’el had already dribbled past him cutting towards the center.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bang!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping into the shooting range, Ma’el did not hesitate, drawing the bow and firing the first shot of the entire match today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to before, his adjustment speed this time was quick, delivering a decent quality strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ball just skimmed over the top of the crossbar, seeing Liverpool’s goalkeeper’s dumbfounded expression surely indicated, had the shot been on target, there should’ve been no problem scoring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep going!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having had a shot, Ma’el’s confidence soared again, increasing his desire for possession.\u003C\u002Fp>",1277,"2026-06-03T06:44:03.366Z","2026-06-03T06:44:07.060Z",1,"novelbin.me","be2ee58b9af408607fb6e1c12e6325464b6857b74c656043f22e02bcb5c3b4c0","from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-chapter-9","from-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-chapter-7",391,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffrom-arsenal-to-the-ball-god-cover.jpg"]