Chapter 12

Although Akin was unaware of his growing popularity with the Arsenal away fans, he wouldn't pay it any mind even if he was aware.

Instead, his gaze focused on Chelsea's half gaze locked firmly on the goal as he visualised his next play.

Even now, he was still thinking of how to win.

"If I can score this time, I can turn this around…."

Akin went to Graham, who was walking to his position for the kick-off.

Both boys were sweating, but Grant, who had played the whole game,e was feeling especially tired. The younger boy pulled him closer and whispered to him,

"Next time I am going for an opportunity, stay onside and get ready to run into the box."

Graham gave him a questioning glance but nodded his head regardless to communicate his understanding.

The ball was kicked to Barett, who passed back to Sidwell; the No.4 player held the ball as the rest pushed forward.

He moved close to the halfway line and almost lost the ball from an outstretched leg from Cole, so he passed to Noble.

Noble took the ball and played a high ball behind the blue boy's midfielders on the left lane.

Stephen Santry ran at his fastest pace as he raced against Oliveira to reach the ball first.

However, a yellow blur shot past them to reach the falling ball.

They could only stare at the No.24 on his back as Akin reached the falling ball, feet outstretched.

He trapped the ball beautifully, catching it on his laces before bringing it down.

He ran to the left edge of the box before blindly casting a cross inside, hoping that Graham had trusted him.

His prayers were answered as No.9 raced inside.

Graham Barett leapt to meet the ball with his head; the ball was in the net with a shake of his head, bouncing under the outstretched arm of Lenny Pidgeley.

The Chelsea keeper smacked the ground in frustration as the away fans roared.

After seeing the ball go in, Barett leapt up and ran towards the younger boy, arms outstretched, but Akin ducked under him and laughed as he soon lost his footing and jumped on his back.

Soon Akin felt a crushing weight as more and more players piled on top of him, causing him to shout distressed,

"Oh, God! I can't breathe!.."

As the boys were celebrating, the fans were also enjoying as they sang out,

"OOOH TO, OOOOH TO BE, OOOH TO BE A GOONER, OOOH TO, OOOH TO BE, OOOH TO BE A GOONER!..."

The fans were as elated as the boys on the field, celebrating wholeheartedly as they appreciated the spirit the boys showed.

In the Commentators box, the two men were happily chatting,

"IT'S A GOAL BY ARSENAL U15, THEY HAVE EQUALISED, AND IT IS NOW 3-3. THIS HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A GREAT MATCH BEN."

"IT HAS, MICHAEL, IT HAS; THIS MATCH HAS BEEN AN EXCITING GAME.

CHELSEA U15 HAS PLAYED WELL, BUT ARSENAL U15 HAVE SHOWN GREAT SPIRIT, BUT THERE IS STILL TIME LEFT, SO WE MAY STILL SEE A WINNER, IT IS. ANYBODY'S GAME."

"TOO RIGHT, BEN, YOU ARE RIGHT, BUT THE GREATEST SURPRISE FOR ME HAS BEEN THE SUPER SUB NUMBER 24.

HE HAS SCORED 2 MAGNIFICENT GOALS AND 1 ASSIST; AKIN ADELEKE HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE TREAT FOR THE ARSENAL FANS, I CAN ASSURE YOU."

"I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU, MICHAEL. HE HAS BEEN THE SPARK THAT HAS SET THESE YOUNG GUNNERS ELITE; ARSENAL HAS MANAGED TO GET OUT OF SEVERAL TOUGH SPOTS DUE TO HIS INTERVENTION."

"A VERY SPIRITUAL PLAYER, HE HAS SHOWN HE IS A VERY COMPLETE PLAYER; YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER HE IS THE YOUNGEST ON THE PITCH TODAY.

HE HAS A LOT OF GROWING TO DO, WHICH AFTER SEEING HIM TODAY SHOULD BE VERY INTERESTING."

"YES, HE HAS CAUGHT MY INTEREST MICHEAL… OH LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE RESTARTING THE GAME…. CHELSEA IS NOW BEING CAUTIOUS."

"THEY ARE PASSING IN MIDFIELD…IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE BEING CAUTIOUS AND ARE TRYING TO RUN THE CLOCK…ONLY 2 MINUTES LEFT…HALL0 PASSES TO HUTCHINSON…HUTCHINSON TO GRANT…GRANT PASSING…WAIT…WAIT! THE BALLS HAVE BEEN STOLEN BY ADELEKE, WHO IS TAKING THE BALL FORWARD…HUTCHINSON TRIES TO STOP HIM…ADELEKE IS PAST HIM! OOOH, NO, IT'S A FOUL. THIS IS GOING TO BE A FREE-KICK!"

Akin, after noticing that the Chelsea U15 team were not intending to attack.

Seized an opportunity to cut off their pass; in his mind, only one thing mattered, and that was a victory.

He ran with the ball but was quickly cut off by Hutchinson, but he didn't stop but shifted, faking he was going to run right with his upper body and sliding left with his left foot.

He managed to pass him.

But Hutchinson recovered, spinning quickly, chasing him from behind, taking advantage of his height and strength; the older boy grabbed the hem of his jersey before pulling him down outside the box.

*FWEEET*

As soon as the referee whistled blue, there was a commotion as the away Arsenal fans booed and jeered. In contrast, Chelsea fans applauded the passionate foul.

Akin lay on his back, taking deep breaths as he felt his body ache; he was soon helped up by Hutchinson and the referee, after checking he was ok, let him go.

Akin went over to see Noble, Pennant, Barret and Sidwell arguing over who should take the kick,

"Come off it, Noble; you can't get this in.."

"Shut up, Barret; you ain't any better than I am; you just…."

However, before he could continue, Akin took the ball from his hand and interrupted him,

"I'll take it…."

This caused the boys to look at him; Barett spoke out first,

"What, but you can't…."

He didn't finish as he was cut off by the youngest's stern voice,

"Do you want to win, yes or no? If you want to win, give me a shot. You can say what you want if it doesn't go in."

Nobody dared contradict the boy; they had known he was good as he always performed well in training games.

Instead, they stared at the boy who was shorter than them.

His face was set in a determined glare as if he would eat them alive if they dared contradict him.

He had the eyes of a hunter as he stared them down, so the boys stepped back with a quick nod of acceptance.

Seeing they accepted, he placed the ball on the spot marked by the referee before taking measured steps back.

The Chelsea U15 team had set a high wall blocking the goal from his sight, but he could make out the keeper's position through the gaps.

Taking a moment to compose himself, he closed his eyes. He felt the wind carrying a deep breath inhaling and exhaling.

*FWEET*

At the whistle, he strode forward; his steps were light as he kicked the ball.

The ball was lifted high over the wall, the ball looked like it was going over, but it took a dip, falling towards the goal.

Pidgeley noticed and reacted, running towards it and diving to catch the ball, but he was a step late.

The ball brushed past his tips into the net as he landed on the floor with a thwack; for a few beats, everyone was silent as the ball went in.

But soon, the Away Arsenal fans were roaring and screaming; as Akin ran, arms outstretched, his expression showing elation.

.His teammates followed behind, racing to catch him as he ran, screaming in exhilaration.

Up in the commentator box, Micheal Blue was also feeling the excitement as he jumped out of his seat,

"GOAL! WHAT A GOAL! WHAT A FREEKICK, NUMBER 24 AKIN ADELEKE HAS SCORED HIS THIRD GOAL OF THE MATCH, HIS FIRST SHOWING THE SUPER SUB HAS SCORED A HAT-TRICK!"

"BRILLIANT DISPLAY. HE HAS BEEN THE MVP AND HAS SHOWN AN EXCITING PERFORMANCE. LOOK HOW HAPPY THE ARSENAL FANS ARE RIGHT NOW; THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR ARSENAL!"

The Chelsea team half-heartedly kicked off, and the young boys in blue were all despondent, already aware of what was to happen next, the ball reached its feet of Grant, but the game was over.

*FWEET* *FWEET* *FWEEEEET*

In the stands, the fans were shouting as if they had just won the premier league.

No team supporter will not welcome a talented young player coming out of there academy especially Arsenal supporters as the team has been trending upwards in recent seasons under Wengers Banner.

If asked why this is because, in their mind, they were already imagining the future, a future where the young boy wearing number 24 was playing in the main team; in one game, they saw a foreshadowing of greatness to come, and so they sang.