19 Chapter 2

Across from them, Wenger smiled warmly at the pair, pleased with how the meeting went.

"Well then since all that has been dealt with it would be poor form to have invited you here and let you leave without tasting the food here, why don't we order?"

The group ordered and enjoyed their lunch in a light mood, each happy with the result of their meeting.

Akin could barely contain his excitement as he ate, his foot was now in the door.

Finally, I'm almost there.

The days following for Akin were relatively nerve-racking; he can barely contain himself from the excitement he has been feeling from the moment he signed his contract with the gunners the young striker had been ready to go.

He was being driven by a nervous Jerome who was speaking to remind him,

"Alright listen, I know that you are probably impatient, but Charlie isn't just going to hand you the key to the team's offence, as you already know this is a strong team that is going to play in the Champions League.

There is more to Wenger than just being a dapper french gentleman, this man was the manager that transformed Arsenal into a double premier league and FA cup title.

With your talent as long as you trust the process, work hard and listen well you can become an unstoppable force."

Akin did not immediately answer choosing to keep his silence while nodding, Akin had been preparing seriously to get ready for the new season.

Three Months later and the preparation for the new season is about to begin, he receives a call to report for the first training session of the season.

He now finds himself at the iconic stadium, Highbury, Jerome drove him past the gates, but he was surprised by the number of people crowding the gates as he entered, a mixture of fans and reporters made a chaotic scene.

Akin was preparing for his first official training, he couldn't hide his enthusiastic eyes as they roamed the pitch, Charles saw him and greeted him with a kind smile.

Seeing this he nodded in return with a smile before he began to warm up, he was not the first one on the pitch all the players were already warming up.

The first person he noticed was the Swedish wing, Freddy Ljungberg, known for his fast speed and long passes and shots as well as being a fashion icon, and eccentric tastes, he was doing his stretches.

The Next person he noticed was Robert Pires, this was the mischievous flat-footed French midfielder known for his ability to manipulate the game with his unique vision and his trickery.

More and more he found his attention wandering around the pitch.

The Spanish midfielder, Cesc Fabregas the young prodigy that was bought from Barcelona, is a genius playmaker that has an innate sense of timing, he is now 19 years old.

The Brazilian midfielder, Gilberto Silva is a defensive midfielder who serves as a defensive anchor for the team skilled at disrupting the momentum of the opposition attack and sharing the load with the defenders.

England's defender, Ashley Cole is considered one of the best defenders in England known for his athletic talent and ball sense as well as his strong tackling. He teamed up with Swiss defender, Philip Senderos, Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure.

Then he saw the front line of the gunners, headed by Thierry Henry, the iconic scorer from France who is considered one of the best strikers in the world, he had won his second consecutive European golden boot award last season, was a Ballon D'or runner up in 2003, a two-time runner up Fifa Player of the Year, the PFA player of the Year, and as of 2004 was a member of the FIFA 100 which is the list of the top 100 living players.

He has many more individual honours along with the honours he contributed to Arsenal and can be considered the best in the team's history canonised by fans as the King of Highbury

Alongside him was his longtime partner Dennis Bergkamp, the great striker from the Netherlands, who was famous for his discipline in total football, artistic first touches and also was a member of the FIFA 100.

He was famous for being a versatile forward and was indispensable to the rise of the gunners in the premier league, while he was also known for being a cold and clinical finisher.

Talking to Bergkamp was Robert Van Persie who was being groomed to be the next top striker and Bergkamp's successor and was a very talented striker in his own right, known for his amazing volleys.

There were several other players also scattered around, although he had some inkling Akin could not remember them including him there were 25 players present.

All the main players were already there so Wenger as the Manager alongside his staff called the team together.

The famous french manager was wearing a sports tracksuit as he stood rooted firmly and his arms akimbo.

At the sound of the whistle, all the players migrated towards him, while he waited, each player had their eyes trained on the dapper french man, giving him nothing but their undivided attention, highlighting the prestige of the man in question.

Now the man was exercising his prestige masterfully, Akin could not help but feel shocked, unable to completely understand how the man he met seemed like a different person compared to the friendly if not mildly intense man he spoke to in the restaurant.

Wenger looked on as his Assistant coach, Pat Rice, addressed them with his majesty on full display,

"Welcome back lads, hope you are all in good health and enjoyed your holidays responsibly.

As you all know we have managed to recently there has been chatter about whether or not we can win this year's title, they say we should be worried about the blowhard Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho and his Chelsea squad.

They think that your reign is coming to an end. However I don't think I am ready to let this be the end for us, we have a strong team, from a group of talented players who have proven themselves to be the strongest team in Europe,

I see some old faces here, each who has helped Arsenal grow up into a strong team over the years, also I see some new faces, each representing a new future and new possibilities for Arsenal.

While fighting alongside you we have talented young stars each with unique talents, each of you is a key piece.

Also, this season will have a very special significance, this will be our last season in this stadium, and this is our farewell to Highbury.

In light of this, I will issue you a challenge, that is this season I want you all to be prepared because our goal is to win the treble!"

Akin felt his blood boil as he heard the manager's declaration, he thought back to his interview and his own words to Wenger's, both their eyes meet and the manager's eyes seemed to gleam with an otherworldly feeling of anticipation.

The following was a revelation for the freshman striker, he had always worked hard to get ahead of his peers, in the youth academy his work ethic was well known but in this matter, he realised the true difference between youth football and senior squad.

He was trailing behind the starters, feeling the weight from exhaustion pressing him down, causing his whole body to feel like he is wearing weighted clothes.

However rather than feeling discouraged a whole new feeling overcame Akin, a feeling of excitement, 12 years ago he woke up in the body of a child, since then he has felt monotonous, 12 years of self-cultivating.

In the youth league, he had no rivals, but now for the first time in 12 years, Akin had only one thought.

Looks like I will have to work harder.

As he breathed heavily he heard a call to gather.

Arsene Wenger and Pat Rice stood with a ball in hand.

"Alright, Lads I think that is enough rest and we are all warmed up now it's time to scrimmage, I will call your names out you tell you to take the red bib or yellow bib."

Just like that Akin found himself in a yellow bib looking at the team's lineups the red team were all starters.

Standing across in the Red bib the team was:

Forwards: Thierry Henry (FW),

Midfield: Gilberto Silva (CM), Cesc Fabregas (CM), Robert Pires (CM) Robert Van Persie (RM), Jose Antonio Reyes (LM)

Defenders: Ashley Cole (LB) Kolo Toure (CB), Sol Campbell (CB), Lauren (RB)

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann

While on the Yellow Team:

Forwards: Akin Adeleke (FW), Dennis Bergkamp (AMF),Nikolas Bendtner (FW)

Midfield: Freddy Ljumberg (CM) Matthieu Flamini(CM), Alexander Hleb (CM)

Defenders: Gael Clichy (LB), Pascal Sygan (CB), Philip Senderos (CB), Emmanuel Eboue (RB)

Goalkeeper: Manuel Almunia

He knows in terms of seniority he should probably be coming off the bench but it can't be helped as an excellent signing from the team's youth program he received a certain level of favouritism from the squad.

As a forward, he also has no problem playing on the wings he had played in several forward and midfield positions throughout his time in the youth program and was able to adapt quite well each time.

But he also knows that a few people will be unhappy so he must perform well to ensure he has a firm foothold.

Taking steadying breaths he stands in his position, he feels nervous energy building knowing that across from him are some of the greatest players in the Premier League today.

And if he wants to prove himself he has to beat them.

His heart was pounding with fear and excitement, his eyes were shaky and suddenly he heard a shout from his right, Bergkamp, "Get ready they're starting!"

And the whistle blew.

Van Persie passed the ball to Henry who passed it back to Fabregas in Midfield.

Fabregas began controlling the ball passing back and forth with Pires and Silva.

Meanwhile Akin tried to keep up with Reyes while watching the ball.

Bergkamp shouted at him, "Watch your steps don't get push up too much!"

With a jolt, Akin realised was trying to lead him further into the red team's half so he would have a gap to run forward.

Reyes looked at him with a mocking grin, "Better watch yourself, rookie, your no longer playing with boys let's see how well you do with men!"

Akin was not phased as he stepped back and adjusted himself then responded, "Don't worry old man I have something for you later."

Pires passed the ball to Fabregas and moved forward.

Fabregas caught the ball and pushed it forward.

Henry and Van Persie were meanwhile weaving back and forth between the Yellow team's defence and midfield causing chaos and creating space.

Pires with a start passed by Akin catching his attention.

Reyes took advantage of this lapse to pass him.

Akin had spent years working on his speed and was the fastest player in the U18s, even in the Main squad his pace is impressive.

However, he is still only 16, and still developing, against players famous world-class players known for their speed like Pires and Reyes he felt a new kind of pressure.

Reye and Pires were two foxes who were good at moving off the ball, after they passed by Akin the Yellow team began to scramble.

Fabregas, like a shark that smelled blood, passed a cutting-through ball in front of Pires who stopped it with his outer sole.

Pires was caught by Hleb but calmly passed to Reyes.

Reyes caught the ball and passed behind Hleb, and Pires ran around him and caught the ball completing a textbook one-two ball.

Eboue positioned himself between Pires and the Yellow team's Penalty box to guard against Pires cutting in.

So when Pires tried to cut into the box he was caught off guard by Eboue, however, he kept the ball with a cool head, sending a heel pass to Reyes.

Reyes caught the ball and crossed into the box.

Henry who was being watched closely by Sygan and Senderos recognised the opportunity, shifting and turning quickly caught the defenders off guard and entered the box.

Almunia ran out to try and clear the ball but Henry beat him to it and shot low.

Almunia dropped hoping to avoid embarrassment but the ball passed through his legs and entered scoring the Red team's first goal.

The onlookers applauded the goal, and Wenger and his staff began to talk.

"The lads are in good form, that is good."

"The Yellow team seems to be a little slower."

Akin shook his head as he watched the Red team laughing and moving.

He moved to the halfway line and was met by Dennis Bergkamp.

Bergkamp pat him on the back and reassured him, "Don't mind it, this is just the beginning, keep your mind calm."

The kick-off Bergkamp passed back to Flamini.

Flamini passed to silva and both he and Ljumberg moved forward.

The Yellow team was pushing forward.

However, Akin was still being pressured by Reyes who was taking advantage of his developing fitness.

Akin who was still in his growing phase had not planned to work on exercises to increase strength but he was determined to put it on the agenda as he twisted and tussled with the older winger.

Reyes was enjoying himself bullying him as he jokingly said, "Not showing me much are you Rookie?"

Akin grit his teeth and said, "Just wait."

A familiar fire began to burn in his stomach as he dodged past Reyes.

Flamini passed the ball to Bergkamp who was playing the role of playmaker.

Bergkamp controlled the ball and dribbled forward.

Catching Akin's break he passed a coquettish through ball.

Akin rushed to meet it and soon saw Pires moving to intercept so he accelerated and cut it in.

Lauren and Campbell both moved to trap him, and his fire burned hotter and his vision widened.

Bendtner sensed an opportunity and accelerated throwing off Toure.

Akin saw from the corner of his eyes. as Campbell rushed forward to intercept, and surprised them with a chip pass to the box.

Bendtner caught up with the ball and kicked a heavy shot at goal, which was knocked out by Lehman.

Akin was already moving after the shot and as the ball bounced he caught it and faked a shot.

Lehman saw that the ball had not been cleared and was caught off guard by the fake.

Akin was familiar with this state, which can be best described as completely focused and was near the best performance, after his feint made Lehman drop he chipped it.

Lehman watched in horror as the ball chipped, he raised his hand hoping to protect his dignity but it grazed his finger and could only helplessly lie down and watched it land behind him into the goal.

There was an uproar and not just the on-lookers but even the players applauded the goal.

Lehman sat up and looked at Akin as though seeing an Alien.

Campbell came behind him and patted him on the back, "Damn. If you had done that to me in a real game I would probably end your career."

Although said in a light-hearted manner the hidden warning was clear and Akin felt a chill after all the Premier League is the top league in the world and notoriously tough, if he scored like that in a real game depending on the team he could paint a target on his back.

Wenger seeing the goal stood up and applauded, beside him his coaching team was also up.

"That was a truly inspired goal he just scored I have to admit I am impressed."

"It was a very good goal, Akin kept a cool head from start to finish."

Passing by Reyes Akin grinned and said, "How was it old man enjoyed the show?"

Reyes shook his head and clapped, "not bad Nino, that was a good show"

The practice continued but there was no real contest, everyone was merely adjusting themselves for the new season and Akin managed to perform well enough to gain praise from the main squad.

Akin was quite excited by the encouragement from several Arsenal legends.

Henry came over to him and placed an arm around his shoulder and said, "That was a good start, keep going like this and we can expect great things."

The team was called together by the staff and Wenger stood as usual and spoke,

"It's good to see you all are in good spirits, you performed well today I hope you keep up this level of performance throughout the season. As you are all aware this is a special season, after one hundred years we will be saying goodbye to Highbury, which has been our home so for the fans I hope you give them a good performance, our goal this year is the UEFA champions cup, we regrettably missed out on this last season and so I hope to bring it back as a farewell to Highbury. I hope you can give this stadium the farewell season it deserves."

After he finished speaking he nodded to his assistant Pat and left without looking back.

Pat clapped his hands twice, "You heard the gaffer, you should all receive a list of exercises as well as a target, don't forget to write a report about the practice, what you gained and what you need to improve."

As Akin listened to the after-practice routine alongside him Niklas Bendtner, Vita Mannone, Aleksander Hleb and Armand Traore, who are also new signings, were looking confused.

Bendtner raised his hand and asked, "Why are we getting homework?"

Hearing this Akin and the regular team members laughed, Akin, grinned at the new signings, "The gaffer hasn't been nicknamed The Professor for nothing. Welcome to Arsenal."

Akin was already used to all this coming from the youth academies, but for the others, it was completely unheard of.

Soon everyone made their way to the changing rooms Akin was already looking forward to the new season beginning.