Chapter 4

In the weeks following the first practice, Akin felt the true pressure of training in the first squad.

He impressed his teammates however with his ability to adapt to the training.

Akin also used this opportunity to speak with many of the older members to seek guidance, trying to absorb all he can.

From the first touches from Bergkamp, the scoring instinct of Pires, and Henry's ball control and vision.

He often spent time with them throwing questions, impressing and amusing them with his constant curiosity so much they gave him the nickname "Little Scholar".

But another name he had been given by the coaching staff, those that have been with the club since Wenger first arrived at Arsenal gave him the name "Little Anelka".

Wenger could often be seen watching him emotionally, he would take Akin aside, and give him some advice.

Arsenal as a whole may seem like a very united club on the outside, many of the veteran players can be called superstars, but when they came to Arsenal, it was a different team, they created a winning culture.

So they have trust and respect for each other, but many of the young players who just came into a strong team, have all been labelled genius, and talents by the media.

They lack the same focus and discipline that Wenger promoted at the earlier stages of his career and the manager that was given the title "The Professor" was no longer the same strict manager.

Arsene Wenger had created a strong, technical, offensive squad from a team that was purely defensive, he had been unwelcome at the club so eager to stabilise his position he was much stricter and more demanding on his players.

But his team's success and the success of his philosophy, have tempered him so he was a lot looser with the restrictions on his players.

This has led to an almost invisible division between the new players and younger players.

In his time at Kearney Training base, he played in the U16 & U18 teams along with Fabregas and Van Persie, but during his time in the Youth League, he was primarily focused on his training so while not being great friends the three were all comfortable around each other.

However for the players such as Bendtner, who is a direct competitor for the attacking position, Akin was not well received, the older boy striker was often inviting the younger players and U18 players on outings and purposely excluding him.

Because of this amongst younger players, he was considered an outcast, while he was training they were going to clubs and parties in London.

Akin was again in the team's gym, working on his weight training under the guidance of the fitness trainer and good friend, Phil.

Pat entered while Akin was concentrating on his squats, the old coach watched from the side with the former boxer.

Pat looked at his co-worker, "How's the lad doing?".

Phil kept his attention on his charge, a gleam of wonder and appreciation, "This kid is a machine, he comes in, does the work with no fuss, and he's improving at a rapid race, I don't think I have ever seen this level of dedication from someone his age."

Pat also smiled looking at the boy with a fond smile, "Ai the lad has been working hard in training."

Then he grimaced, "If only the other kids could learn from his example."

Phil glanced at him, "Those brats? they were here for 30 minutes and left, think they went to a club?"

Pat could only sigh in response, the young Arsenal squad was almost always in tabloids at this point they seem more like socialites than footballers.

Pat and many of the other veterans in the club, weren't fond of the future starters of the team, however, in Pat's opinion this is also a failure on Henry's part as Captain.

More than once Pat found himself missing the presence of Viera, in his opinion the old captain would never have allowed these young players to slack and in his presence, they wouldn't have dared.

The two captains had obvious differences, Henry as a striker his way of being captain was leading the charge, letting his actions talk, but as a Defensive Midfielder Viera had a much broader look and was adept at communicating with his teammates.

But the fact of this matter Viera was no longer here, so Pat could only talk to Henry and Wenger about his concerns and leave the matter to them.

Akin finished his last sets and dropped the barbell back on the rack with a sigh, he walked over to Phil and Pat, his face almost pouting, "Finally! I'm done, I need a Burger!"

The two older men laughed at the younger man, Pat placed a hand on his back "Alright lad, go hit the showers, then rest up, the pre-season starts this week."

Akin felt re-energised at the realisation that the pre-season was about to start, which means real matches, if he shows a good enough game then maybe he can have a chance to play against Chelsea in the FA Community Shield.

These games to him would be the best opportunities to show his true worth to the team and the fans and win himself a chance on the starting lineup.

Pat smiled as he saw the resolve on the young man's face watching as he went into the locker room.

The Old coach had taken a special interest in the boy after watching him the last few weeks.

He admired the drive and focus the boy showed in practice.

In his time at Arsenal, he had seen many kinds of players but few that he could match his talent and hard work.

His feelings for the other young players Fabregas and Van Persie had always been that they were incredibly talented players, the best he had seen but they seemed to lack the same drive that made Arsenal great.

In the Invincible season he saw first-hand how hard they worked, in order to create their unbeaten season, they paved their way with sweat and blood.

Everyone always called that season a miracle in football.

But the reason it hadn't been replicated is that no one saw how hard everyone worked that season, the hours in the gyms with trainers, in the video rooms with the coaches, and in practice.

He saw and appreciated that drive, that resolves in the players, he sees it in them even now, he sees it in Akin, but he didn't see it in Fabregas and Van Persie.

How great would they be if they had the same drive, how great will Akin be?

He couldn't help but wonder, Akin had shown a great range of skills, he was blessed with speed, a sense for the ball that boggles the mind, innate control of the ball and an incredible sense of calmness in front of goal.

In his office Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger looked at the pre-season schedule.

In his thoughts, Arsenal had everything in hand to win the first pre-season games, the fifth-tier English club Barnet, Austrian Club SC Weiz and SC Ritzing.

However, the competition gets a bit more real against Dutch clubs FC Utrecht and Ajax.

Then he faces the old team of one of his biggest rivals at present in the Premier League, Porto the giants from Portugal.

But these are not important, what is important to him instead was the FA Community Shield Against Chelsea led by the former manager of Porto, Jose Mourihno.

The thought of the man caused his blood to boil, as he thought of all the words the man had said against him.

For Wenger, there are four teams he will never allow the team to lose to, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United.

So for him, the Community Cup is the first important Cup of the new season.

He had also paid attention to the recent training, his new signings were giving him a taste of heaven and hell.

Nikolas Bendtner the powerful genius striker was strong and worked hard but his behaviour outside the club was already becoming a problem, already the club have intervened twice with the police.

Thinking of the young man from Denmark he felt his headache.

The boy seemed to lack the ability to exercise self-control, acting more like a football hooligan than a professional player.

However, Arsene still valued his talent despite the headaches so he will continue to watch him, giving him a warning.

Meanwhile, Akin Adeleke, the young man from their academy brought a smile to the old manager's face.

The young man had performed admirably in training, he was hard-working, eager to learn and absorb everything around him.

He heard the comparison to his once proud disciple Anelka, but in his opinion it was not credible.

There was no denying the talent could match the disciple that broke his heart and maybe even surpass it but overall the two players played differently.

He had never seen a player like Akin before, the boy seemed to be able to play in any position from Defense to Midfield to the attacker.

When he saw Akin, he saw his dream, the dream of all modern football fans, a player, whose style was consistent with total football, able to contribute anywhere on the pitch with efficiency and a touch of elegance.

Now between him and Reyes, Wenger was leaning more towards Reyes, the young man had played well last season.

But he was wavering, the farewell season to Highbury, should he bet on the more experienced Reyes, or the more talented Akin?

This was a happy worry for a manager but a worry non the less.

He was interrupted by a knock on the door, he looked up to see Pat Rice, his assistant walking in.

This man had been at Arsenal longer than him, from a former player of the team to assistant manager and even managed for a short period.

They did not always agree in regard to the teams' philosophy but they were both close friends and confidants who respected each other.

The Irish man sat across from him, "Akin is just leaving."

The French man smiled "The boy works very hard, he needs to rest."

Pat did not want to beat around the bush so he asked outright, "Are you going to play him this season?"

Wenger leaned forward locking his fingers, his eyes watching his friend with a calculating look, "Do you think I should? Is he ready?"

The question made Pat sigh long and hard, "The skills are there, the strength is getting there but..."

Wenger could sense his hesitation and smiled wryly, "But he is young."

Pat nodded, "The boy could be one of the greatest players to come out of the club I believe he has that potential, but will the League allow it?"

Wenger understood, the Premier League was the strongest in the world, and it was the most unforgiving.

How many geniuses had it created and destroyed he could not count.

Still, Wenger said, "I understand your worry, but if the boy is ever going to grow we cannot coddle him, if we do we will only harm him and e will hate us for it."

Pat nodded, "So you will go with him then?"

Wenger shook his head, "I did not say that, but I will give him a chance, we will see how he does in the pre-season."

Pat understood and smiled while shaking his head, "You mean let him and Reyes go head to head in the pre-season."

Wenger nodded, "Let their performance on the pitch convince me, the person I value most can start in the Community Shield."

Pat groaned, "Now I am hoping that you go with Reyes, I shudder to think what would happen to the lad if Akin were to go against that Bastard Mourihno and his squad."

Wenger laughed and shook his head, "What should I say about such blatant favouritism, Reyes is one of ours too."

Pat shrugged, "Akin is different, he came from our academy so I think him of more as a child of Arsenal."

Wenger shook his head, then looked at the schedule.

He made a decision, "he can be a substitute for the first few games in the pre-season"

Pat nodded, "Any particular conditions for playtime?"

Wenger smiled, "No I will definitely let him play, I hope he can show me something good. "

With the preseason coming the team was not the only one preparing.

In North London Finsbury Park, The Gunners pub, one of the most famous Arsenal bars in London, is only 9 minutes away from Highbury.

Robbie Lyle entered the usual crowd, his appearance was met with a cheer of "ROBBIE! AYE!!"

Robbie was one of the more popular fans and a regular at the gunner bar, he greeted everyone and went over to the bar.

The Landlord was behind the bar, "Aye Robbie, how's it going mate?"

Robbie smiled, "It's all good man, the new season is coming, the new season is coming and next week, the gunners storm the Hive and massacre the bees."

The two heard a laugh and saw another regular, Micheal Ford, grinning, "It's time for the annual slaughter."

Arsenal and Barnet FC can be considered another North London Derby as they have historically played against each other for a preseason match for several seasons.

The rivalry is often considered a joke and onesided by Arsenal Fans because Barnet is a fifth-league team, while Arsenal is one of the best teams in the Premier League.

However, like most football fans, they won't ignore the animosity of any club fan, they are therefore just as passionate about this "Lesser" North London Derby, especially since it is the First Arsenal game after their break.

Lewis, another regular, "Aye Robbie, what do you think of Arsenal's new signings, only two? is he pinching his pockets?"

Robbie shook his head, "Why mess with perfection?"

Micheal laughed out loud, then with a grin said, "I tell you what I am looking forward to seeing Adeleke in the Prems"

Charlie, a fan sitting beside Lewis, laughed, "Adeleke again, you have been going on about him nonstop, man, he may have been Pele in the youth league, but this is the Prems! A man's sport!"

Micheal shook his head, "You don't get it, mate, Akin Adeleke, is so good, he scored more than one goal in every game he played in the youth league, without fail!"

As the two went back and forth Robbie also found himself thinking of the new player from the Academy, he had followed Akin Adeleke's games in the youth league and witnessed the boys rise.

In Robbie's view, Akin may be the most exciting player to come out of the academy, he played with the burst of speed and tireless energy of youth player while at the same time his vision, his skill plus his control of the ball, positioning on and off the ball, all are like a seasoned player.

Robbie decided to interject, "We don't know what Wenger plans to do yet, and whether or not Adekele can play in the Prems, well we can decide that in the preseason."