15. First Team Training

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Francesco laughed, feeling a little more at ease as the players welcomed him with open arms. They were stars in his eyes, but their warmth and camaraderie reminded him that they were teammates, here to support one another.

After changing into his kit, he joined them on the training ground, where the head coach and assistants were already setting up drills. The training session began with some light warm-ups and conditioning exercises, which Francesco completed with ease.

As they progressed into tactical drills, he could feel the intensity ramping up. Every drill, every sprint, and every pass was sharper, faster, and more demanding than anything he had experienced in the academy. But Francesco welcomed the challenge; he knew this was where he belonged, and he was determined to prove himself.

During a passing drill, Mesut Özil demonstrated his precision by sending the ball exactly where it needed to go, seemingly without effort. Francesco watched closely, marveling at Özil's vision and timing. When it was his turn, he mimicked Özil's technique, focusing on positioning and accuracy. To his relief, his pass was clean, catching the eye of a few players who nodded in appreciation.

Next came a shooting drill, where Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sánchez took the lead. They showcased their power and finesse, each strike hitting the target with intent. Francesco's turn arrived, and he felt a surge of adrenaline as he lined up his shot. Remembering Coach Smith's advice, he kept his form steady, planting his foot carefully before striking the ball. The shot flew with precision, hitting the top corner of the net. Francesco could hear a few impressed murmurs from his teammates, including a nod of approval from Giroud.

"Not bad, kid," Giroud said, a hint of respect in his voice. "You've got a good foot on you."

The session continued, with each drill pushing Francesco to his limits. He absorbed every piece of advice, every subtle cue from the senior players, determined to learn and improve. Throughout the morning, Wenger watched from the sidelines, observing Francesco's performance with a keen eye.

As the training drills wrapped up, Arsène Wenger stood on the sidelines, his arms crossed and his gaze fixed on Francesco. There was a glimmer of interest in the manager's eyes as he watched the young player's every move. Beside him, Pat Rice, Wenger's trusted assistant coach, observed in silence, noticing the same raw talent and natural instinct in Francesco that had drawn him to Wenger's attention in the first place.

Wenger turned to Pat, his voice low but curious. "What do you make of him, Pat?"

Pat Rice didn't hesitate. "He's the most talented player I've ever seen at his age. His technical ability, composure, and drive are remarkable for someone so young. If he can maintain this level and continue to develop, there's a real chance he could reach the same level as Messi or Ronaldo someday."

Wenger's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "It's rare to hear you speak so highly of a youth player. But I can see why. The way he reads the game, the way he adjusts… it's instinctive." Wenger nodded slowly, his expression growing more serious as he weighed the possibilities. "I think it's time we start planning for his future. If he can keep up this consistency, I'd like to consider him for his debut when he turns sixteen."

Rice nodded, agreeing with the idea. "Getting him accustomed to the U18 games would be a good step, give him a feel for the intensity. It will be a good transition before he makes that leap to the first team."

Wenger smiled, a hint of pride in his eyes as he looked back toward Francesco. "Exactly. Let's ease him in, give him the opportunity to gather experience. But I want him to understand what's expected of him here and what it means to wear the Arsenal badge."

Wenger took a step forward, gesturing to the assistant coach to organize the team for a scrimmage. "Let's set up the teams. I want to see Francesco in a different role—put him as a striker, and let's pair him up with Mesut. I want to see how he works with one of our best playmakers."

Rice called over the players, and Wenger's instructions were passed along. The team quickly divided into two sides, with Francesco positioned as the central striker on Özil's team. Francesco's excitement surged as he looked around at his new teammates. Playing alongside Özil, a player whose passing and vision he had admired for years, was a dream. But more than that, it was a challenge—and Francesco was determined to rise to it.

As the whistle blew to start the scrimmage, Francesco immediately noticed the difference in intensity. This wasn't just a simple practice game; the players treated it as seriously as a league match. The pace was quick, the pressure constant, and the competition fierce. Francesco knew he had to stay sharp, focusing on positioning himself well, ready for any pass Özil or the others might send his way.

Özil quickly took command of the ball, gliding effortlessly across the field as he assessed his options. Francesco moved in sync, watching Özil's movements and anticipating his next move. Suddenly, Özil's gaze flicked up, and Francesco caught the signal. In a flash, Özil delivered a through ball, slipping it between two defenders with perfect precision.

Francesco broke into a sprint, timing his run perfectly to avoid being caught offside. The defenders scrambled to catch him, but Francesco's speed carried him forward. He reached the ball just outside the box, his heart pounding as he faced the keeper one-on-one. Remembering Coach Smith's words about composure, he took a steadying breath, picked his spot, and drove the ball into the bottom corner of the net. The sound of the ball hitting the back of the net was met with a few cheers and murmurs of approval from his teammates.

"Nice finish, kid!" Özil called out with a grin as Francesco jogged back to his position, the excitement and adrenaline surging through him. Scoring that goal had been exhilarating, but he knew the game was far from over.

Wenger watched the play unfold with an approving nod, turning to Pat Rice. "You see how he adapts? He reads the game as if he's been playing at this level for years."

Rice nodded, his gaze fixed on Francesco. "He has an instinct for positioning and timing, something you can't teach. And he has the composure to finish under pressure."

The scrimmage continued, with each player giving their all, pushing Francesco to work harder, think faster, and adapt to the high pace. Özil became Francesco's primary link, setting up opportunities with his pinpoint passes and guiding him into positions that allowed Francesco to make the most of his skill set.

At one point, Özil collected the ball at midfield, quickly drawing two defenders toward him. He faked a pass to the left, drawing the defense, then sent a quick lob over their heads, aiming it perfectly for Francesco's run. Francesco anticipated the pass, controlling it with a deft first touch that kept it close to his feet. He pivoted around the final defender, feeling the weight of the keeper's presence as he closed in.

Without hesitation, Francesco drove the ball low and hard, slotting it just inside the far post. The keeper dove, but he was a second too late. Another goal.

This time, Giroud, who had been defending, gave Francesco a respectful nod. "You're on fire today, kid. Keep this up, and you'll be giving the rest of us a run for our money."

The praise fueled Francesco's confidence, but he reminded himself to stay grounded. He focused on his role, tracking back when needed, pressing the opposing defense, and working hard off the ball to create space for his teammates. Every move was a learning experience, each play an opportunity to absorb the level of skill and discipline that defined these top players.

With each passing minute, Francesco could feel himself adapting, gaining confidence. The intensity, the pressure—it was all part of the game, and he found himself thriving in it. As the scrimmage neared its end, Francesco saw one last opportunity.

Özil received the ball at the edge of the penalty box, his eyes scanning for options. Francesco read his intention and moved into an open space, signaling with a subtle nod. Özil responded immediately, flicking the ball to Francesco with a quick, precise pass. Without breaking stride, Francesco took a shot, curling the ball toward the top corner. The keeper made a valiant attempt but couldn't reach it in time. The ball struck the net, and Francesco's teammates broke into applause, appreciating the skill and confidence he had shown.

Wenger turned to Pat Rice, satisfaction evident on his face. "He's not just talented; he has the drive to match it. If he can keep progressing at this rate, I think we'll be seeing him in the first team sooner than we thought."

Pat Rice nodded in agreement. "Absolutely. He's ready for the U18 games. Let him gain experience there, and I have no doubt he'll be prepared when the time comes."

The final whistle blew, signaling the end of the scrimmage. Francesco's heart was pounding, his face flushed with exertion and excitement. As the players gathered, Wenger approached, a proud smile on his face.

"Francesco," Wenger said, his tone filled with encouragement, "you've done very well today. Your performance was impressive, and I can see a bright future ahead of you. I'm looking forward to seeing you progress with the U18s, and if you continue to show this level of dedication, you may get your first-team debut sooner than you think."

Francesco beamed, feeling a mix of pride and gratitude. "Thank you, Coach. I'll work hard to earn that opportunity."

The senior players clapped him on the back as they made their way off the field, congratulating him on a great session. Francesco had gained their respect, and he knew this was only the beginning of his journey.

As he headed to the locker room, Francesco felt the weight of Wenger's words sink in. He had taken a significant step toward his dream, but he knew he couldn't afford to get complacent. The path to greatness required discipline, focus, and resilience. With a renewed sense of determination, Francesco promised himself that he would give everything he had to prove worthy of Wenger's belief in him.

After the intense scrimmage, Francesco felt the pleasant exhaustion that came with hard work. He headed back to the locker room with his teammates, receiving pats on the back and words of encouragement from the senior players as they all unwound from the session. Once inside, he took a shower, letting the warm water wash away the sweat and adrenaline. Each accomplishment and bit of praise echoed in his mind, but he knew he couldn't let it go to his head. The day's success was just a stepping stone; he had so much more to prove.

Francesco changed back into his regular clothes, feeling a sense of pride as he pulled on his Arsenal jacket, a subtle reminder of the badge he now represented. He nodded and said goodbye to the older players, who offered parting words of encouragement. Giroud clapped him on the shoulder with a smile, and Özil, who had been a big part of his performance, gave him a warm nod. "Good work today," Özil said. "Keep playing like that, and you'll make it far."

"Thanks, Mesut. I won't let you down," Francesco replied, smiling back.

As he stepped out of the locker room, he saw Arsène Wenger standing near the hallway, his calm but keen eyes focused on Francesco. The young player approached, feeling a surge of both pride and humility as Wenger gestured for him to come closer.

"Francesco," Wenger began, his tone warm and encouraging. "You performed exceptionally well today. You've shown a level of skill and maturity beyond your years. The way you adapted on the field, your composure in front of goal—it's not something we see often in players your age."

Francesco's cheeks reddened with a mix of pride and gratitude. "Thank you, Coach. I've been working hard, and it means a lot to hear that from you."

Wenger nodded, studying Francesco with a thoughtful expression. "I have no doubt about your potential, Francesco, but potential alone isn't enough. Consistency, discipline, and continuous improvement—those are the things that make a truly great player. If you continue to show this level of commitment, I believe you can achieve remarkable things."

The manager's words felt like both a challenge and a promise, and Francesco nodded, fully aware of the weight they carried. "I understand, Coach. I won't take this opportunity for granted."

Wenger offered a rare smile. "Good. That's exactly the attitude I want to see. I'm going to have you train with the U18s for now to gain more experience. But if you maintain this level of performance, I'd like to bring you back to train with the first team once you're sixteen. I want to see how you progress and handle the next stage of your development."

Francesco's heart raced with excitement. Training with the first team again, this time at sixteen, was a dream come true. But he stayed composed, knowing that this was just the beginning of a much longer journey. "Thank you, Coach. I'll work as hard as I can to be ready for that opportunity."

Wenger placed a hand on Francesco's shoulder, his voice taking on a serious tone. "I believe in your talent, Francesco, but remember—talent is only one piece. The rest is built on determination, hard work, and a strong character. Stay grounded, keep learning, and respect the game."

"I will, Coach," Francesco replied earnestly. "I'll do everything I can to honor this opportunity."

With one last nod of approval, Wenger released his shoulder. "Good. I'll be watching your progress, and I look forward to seeing you back with us soon."

As Francesco walked away, he felt the immense pride of having earned Wenger's trust and the responsibility that came with it. Today's achievements fueled his motivation, but he knew there were no shortcuts to success. He would have to give everything he had, both on and off the field, to meet Wenger's expectations.

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Name : Francesco Lee

Age : 15 (2014)

Birthplace : London, England

Football Club : Arsenal U18 Team

Championship History : None