"Beep! Beep—!"
After this goal, the first half quickly came to an end, with Arsenal entering halftime with a 3-goal lead.
The atmosphere remained tense, not easing because of the break. Both teams quickly ran into the player tunnel to listen to their coaches' instructions. No one was chatting with a smile, and no one lingered on the field.
Everyone knew that in such a match, if you relaxed even slightly, your opponent could very likely put you in a deadly situation, no matter how big your advantage! Benitez ultimately did not substitute Oscar. Judging from his solemn expression as he left the field, he probably felt that the team had been forced into a dead end, and strengthening control through substitutions was not advisable.
Only strengthen the attack!
And if he wanted to strengthen the attack, he couldn't remove the front four. Even if the front four were at odds, they couldn't be replaced.
It could be said that the task left to Benitez was arduous. He not only had to think about how to strengthen the attack to pull back the score, but also how to get the estranged front four to work together again.
"Pa-da, pa-da..."
Maël slowly walked into the player tunnel, without a smile on his face, but inevitably with a hint of triumph and satisfaction.
However, he didn't put all his thoughts on being complacent, but remembered another thing: the complexity that Wenger showed in the pre-match press conference and during the match. What was the reason? As someone who was with Wenger every day, he could easily notice the other's abnormality.
Today's Wenger was definitely not right.
"Ask." Maël decided to take the initiative to ask. He quickened his pace and walked towards the locker room.
Although he was only the captain of Arsenal, he shouldn't overstep his bounds and ask about something that was likely outside of the players and the team, something concerning the club's management.
However, as one of the representatives of this club, he felt that if Mr. Wenger was willing to talk about it, it would be good for him to know more, to avoid making mistakes in public and to avoid placing more burdens on Wenger alone.
Before this, the club would discuss many matters, large and small, with him, or would quickly inform him after major decisions were made.
This was both a respect for him and a feeling of reliance. He couldn't just enjoy the glory of being the captain and the complacency of becoming an important figure in the club, but should also take the initiative to step forward when the team might need him.
Taking two more steps, Maël saw Mr. Wenger walking slowly out of the corridor from the side, looking back at him with a slight smile.
It didn't seem like a coincidence, but more like the other party had been waiting there on purpose, waiting for him to come over.
As if they were telepathic, the two stopped together.
"You always give people exaggerated performances, let's talk after the game." Wenger squeezed out more smiles, and one hand naturally rested on Maël's shoulder.
"Or now?"
Maël glanced at the locker room, "If there's a lot to say, then after the game. Mr. Wenger must still have instructions for the team at halftime."
"Not many instructions, you're all doing very well." Wenger also subconsciously glanced at the locker room. A few hesitations appeared on his face, as if he was considering the timing of the conversation.
"Then now." Soon, he nodded towards a sparsely populated place, signaling Maël to follow him, "I really have to get it off my chest, I think you really need to know about this."
The curiosity in Maël's heart was aroused, and a bit of seriousness also rose on his face. He followed Wenger and soon came to a corner.
"Before this game, Little Kroenke had a long talk with Premier League CEO Richard Scudamore."
Wenger turned to face Maël, glanced around to see if anyone was there, and then sighed slightly, "After coming back, he smashed a lot of things in anger and told me about it."
His gaze condensed, "The Premier League company hopes that we can focus more on the European War and win glory for the English Premier League in European-level competitions."
"What do you mean?"
Maël didn't think there was anything wrong with this, but looking at Wenger's expression, this matter shouldn't be that simple, "We are going to focus on the European War this season, and I am also confident in winning glory for the league I play for. Is there a special mention?"
Wenger bit his lip and looked away, seemingly unwilling to tell Maël the news, "Richard Scudamore didn't say it directly, but Little Kroenke is a smart kid, he understood the other implications."
"The league doesn't want us to keep winning, doesn't want us to remain undefeated, they think it's detrimental to the Premier League's competitiveness, detrimental to the Premier League's viewership and broadcasting fees."
"If we monopolize this league, and the Premier League title has no suspense, then the explosive growth momentum of the league's broadcasting fees will suffer a fatal blow, and the entire English football system will be affected."
Maël's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes suddenly became more complex, "They're telling us this, what do they want us to do?"
His heart was already surging with waves. Mr. Wenger's three sentences, though euphemistic, conveyed a lot of meaning. To him, this news was like a thunderclap from a clear sky.
"Their position is the English professional football system, the improvement of the level of middle and lower teams driven by broadcasting fees, and the high level of appreciation brought by strong competitiveness after the level is improved."
Wenger didn't rush to answer, but said, "But our position is to build a Red and White Warship dynasty, 50 undefeated games or even more."
"This is a conflict between two correct things, but unfortunately, it has already happened."
After going around in a circle, he sighed again, "Richard Scudamore talked a lot with Kroenke, said a lot of nice things, the essence of which is only one thing—"
"If Arsenal can continue to win, he expresses his blessings and respect, but hopes that the team, as an old English powerhouse, can consider the Premier League, and after that 49-game unbeaten run, just lose 1-2 games, so that the final champion remains suspenseful."
Maël's face was ashen, he stared at Wenger in surprise, never expecting that Richard Scudamore could really say such a thing.
He also didn't expect that a team that keeps moving forward would encounter such resistance.
It seems that there is really no smooth sailing in this world, but in different positions, the difficulties encountered by each individual or group are different.
Wenger lowered his head and continued, "He advised Kroenke to not only focus on short-term interests, but also on long-term interests. If the Premier League continues to appreciate in the future, Arsenal may still earn a lot of broadcasting dividends and advertising money even if they are in the top 4."
"It's a matter of shared glory and shared loss."
"But Kroenke disagreed. His and his father's goal is to build a team like Real Madrid in the English Football World, and even surpass them through accumulation."
"He told Richard Scudamore that La Liga has not lost its market because Real Madrid and Barcelona are too strong, and Bayern is still transfusing blood into the Bundesliga."
"But…"
Wenger paused here, and after raising his head, his eyes showed fatigue, "In fact, Richard Scudamore is right. During the period when Bayern dominated the Bundesliga in the early 2000s, very few people watched the Bundesliga. It has only gotten better in recent years."
"If Bayern or Dortmund, which is now on the rise, monopolizes the league again, this league will encounter trouble again."
"Although Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid in La Liga have attracted a huge fan base from all over the world, the speed of increasing copyright prices has not kept up with the economic development, and there is a multiple difference in the growth rate of Premier League broadcasting rights."
"Not to mention Serie A, it has been in a slump since Calciopoli."
Seeming to have been standing for a long time, he walked two steps, "Richard Scudamore is an excellent person. Since he took office, he has implemented many positive reforms, and even small details such as broadcasting lens technology are being handled by himself."
"After the Financial Fair Play policy comes out next year, the Premier League will become an almost perfect football league, and it will have the potential to surpass any league."
"But when this sophisticated machine has already started to move forward at high speed, our team, which has also put in a lot of effort, and even stands in the highest position, bringing a lot of attention to this league in the short term, stands on the opposite side of them."
"So I would say, it's very unfortunate, very unfortunate."
Maël's heart was greatly impacted, "So what does the team want to do now? What does Mr. Wenger mean?"
Wenger looked tired, "The Kroenke family and our management's meaning are very clear, we stick to Arsenal's position and will not pay attention to the Premier League's position."
"Because we love this club, we are investing, paying and pouring our hearts into this club. As for the entire league, although it is a big family, it has nothing to do with us."
He paced back and forth again, "I have loved football since I was a child. I chose to become a professional football coach in my 30s. After wasting several years, I came to the position of Arsenal and experienced the most glorious and brilliant days of my life.
"Who knew that after the glory would come an irredeemable low point, fate struck me down, and I experienced the worst and most uncomfortable period of my life in the aftermath.
"Just when I thought it would continue like this, I met you. You changed everything, you could even say my destiny. From the day I met you, I had this premonition."
Speaking to this point, Wenger's eyes welled up with tears, "In these past 2 years, we have worked together, using all the luck and energy of our lives to get to this position, how can we bear to give up? How is it possible?!"
"But?" Maël knew that Wenger had more to say, otherwise, the other party would never be so emotional.
Even at this moment, during halftime of this top-of-the-table clash, chatting so much with the old coach seemed a bit inappropriate, but seeing Wenger so unusually pouring out his heart and so frankly confessing his emotions, he wanted to hear everything.
"But, Richard Scudamore not only offered inducements but also threats."
Wenger clenched the fist hidden in his suit sleeve, "Kroenke vaguely heard a hint, that is, if Arsenal is unwilling to change its focus, unwilling to actively slow down its momentum in the Premier League, then they may take action."
Maël's heart skipped a beat, he stared at Wenger's face, eagerly wanting to know what kind of action the Premier League alliance would take.
"In today's information age, everything spreads quickly, and fans are watching closely, the authorities will not have overly dirty means, this can be seen from Richard Scudamore's reluctance to say it clearly."
Wenger thought for a while and listed a few points, "But if the Premier League alliance wants to trip us up, there are still ways.
"One is the schedule arrangement. The schedule for each season will have slight adjustments. They will take this opportunity to arrange some densely packed schedules for us, playing strong teams in a row, playing away games in a row are all very possible.
"The second is the Financial Fair Play Act. This act, which will be promulgated next year, may have some requirements for club debt, and it is very likely to target Arsenal in terms of debt."
Maël was both angry and anxious when he heard this, and couldn't help but say, "Many Premier League teams are heavily in debt. If I remember correctly, Abramovich's injection of funds into Chelsea was mostly done in the name of loans for investment."
"That's different, Abramovich is the owner, he owns the club, the Premier League alliance may play word games on these points."
Wenger shook his head and continued, "The third is the likely appearance of black whistles, they can't say for sure about this, misjudgments are common, and man-made misjudgments are also common, this is the easiest to affect the game.
"Kroenke is worried about this, and is even considering compromise because if we compromise, we may only lose the opportunity to become great, and we will still have championships.
"But if we don't compromise, we may lose the championship, not only have nothing, but also end up with a bad reputation."
Maël's chest rose and fell continuously after listening. In fact, when he was listening to Wenger, he already had his own opinion on this matter.
After listening now, his opinion became more firm, "We must not compromise, I have never heard of an official asking a club that is advancing at high speed to slow down.
"I admit that Richard Scudamore is an extremely excellent businessman, but his success and that of the Premier League alliance cannot be built on the compromise and concessions of others, football should be fair, and so should the market, he should find a better way.
"If the efforts of hundreds of people, dozens of players and coaches up and down the Arsenal club are wiped out in this way, it would be too absurd!"
He suddenly looked into Wenger's eyes, "Let me say my opinion, in fact, the way to slow down Arsenal is very simple, to prompt Mr. Wenger and I to leave this club, leave this league.
"Why don't they consider this? Why are they considering letting the Arsenal club sacrifice? "I think it's very simple, they don't want to let go of Mr. Wenger and I, as well as the vitality and attention that the current Arsenal club brings to this league, and they also want to continue to maintain the league's competitiveness and maintain market potential!"
He became more and more indignant as he spoke, "How can there be such a good thing in the world? If Richard Scudamore wants to have the best of both worlds, then find another way!"
This person had previously published several long articles on social media praising him, which had caused a reaction in the industry, and he also had a good impression of him.
But unexpectedly, the other party did such a thing behind his back. Maël's impression of Richard Scudamore took a sharp turn for the worse, to the extreme.
People can only consider from their own standpoint, from the standpoint of the team they are in, and then the larger collective.
Maël doesn't think he is a disloyal person, but he is not a saint either, and is really willing to make concessions in this kind of matter, this naked threat is infuriating.
"Is this your opinion?"
Wenger raised his head, his expression slowly softened a lot, and the depths of his eyes seemed to light up again, "Since I have said so much, to be frank, Maël, the reason I am telling you this is that I need your help.
"You can't stop anything, but you can give me strength. If the two of us stand together, it's the same as the entire Arsenal standing together."
"In that case, I have the confidence to face all difficulties."
"I also have confidence." Maël held Wenger's arm with one hand and said firmly, "My idea is very clear, we must not compromise, we must fight to the end on the field!
"Isn't it just encountering some resistance? It doesn't matter if the schedule is tight, I will strengthen my stamina; it doesn't matter if the Financial Fair Play Act is targeting us, as long as the results are good, we can keep the current people!
"Even if there are biased referees, it doesn't matter. They can blow the ambiguous ones, but can they blow long shot goals and other clean and neat goals?! They can't blow it. No referee, even if they take the money, can lie with their eyes open.
"In short, we will not only fight to the end with other Premier League teams, but also fight to the end with the Premier League!
"As long as we have the strength to surpass everything, even the sky can be overturned!"
"Good!" Wenger stretched out his right hand to Maël, the worry on his face dissipated, "I'm much more relieved with your words, then... let's overturn the sky!"
"Yeah."
Maël's face also showed a smile again, "If one day, all the football stars in the world know that the undisputed historical Best Player is now playing in the Premier League, I believe they will be attracted to come here.
"At that time, the Premier League will not only not be under pressure from other leagues, but will become even stronger and become a unique league.
"Just like the NBA is to basketball leagues, and the NFL is to football leagues.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what Richard Scudamore's expression will be at that time. Will he appear at the Colney Training Base with a look of repentance, apologize to the club and express his gratitude."
Wenger chuckled, "I know you're talking about yourself, I believe... so are you going to retaliate then? For example, transferring to other leagues, taking the stars away, and making Richard Scudamore cry."
"I'll consider it."
"Hahahaha...!" The two laughed together. They believed that from this moment on, their cooperative relationship and friendship, as well as the glorious future of Arsenal Football Club, were even more stable.
"Beep beep!" Soon after, a long whistle sounded, and the second half of the game was about to begin.
Maël walked onto the field with a fierce look on his face. This matter was confirmed, but his anger could not subside in a short time.
Starting from this game, he was going to give the Premier League and Richard Scudamore an attitude, an attitude of being prepared to smash everything with goals!
"Come on Arsenal!! Come on Arsenal!"
Stepping onto Stamford Bridge stadium, shrouded in the shouts of the fans, Maël looked around and had a new feeling... This was a new road, in every sense of the word.
ps: This is the last volume, and this contradiction is also the main contradiction of the last volume, otherwise the plot will be very dry, and this contradiction must be written well, so I used some space to explain it.
Don't worry, it won't be poisonous, the last volume will also be pushed quickly, the game against Chelsea is an exception, I will write more tomorrow to finish this game, and then it will be a new rhythm.
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