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Chapter 26: New Jersey
🕑 Added 2025-05-14 15:18:06 +0000 UTCDecember 25th — Christmas in Europe
Wenger gave the team the day off, allowing everyone to enjoy the festive holiday.
But Kai still showed up at the training ground to work alone. He didn’t have a strong connection to Christmas, and with his hearing nearing its conclusion, he needed to stay sharp, ready to play at any moment.
As the saying goes, sharpening your blade before the battle may be last minute, but it’s better than going in unarmed.
...
December 27 — Arsenal vs. Wolves (Home Game)
Arsenal currently sat in fifth place on the table:
10 wins, 2 draws, 5 losses — 32 points.
Chelsea were just a point ahead in fourth, while Tottenham had a six-point cushion in third.
The top two — the Manchester clubs — were far out of reach. They were in a league of their own this season, and Arsenal couldn’t realistically hope to catch up. The gap was already in double digits.
Unless both clubs imploded, which was highly unlikely.
So, Arsenal’s realistic goal remained securing a European spot — and maybe knocking their North London rivals down a peg.
But things didn’t go to plan. Arsenal scored first, but Alexander Song’s decision to push too far forward exposed them, and Wolves capitalized to equalize before halftime.
This wasn’t the first time Song had made this mistake.
Wenger had warned him repeatedly, but Song, having a strong instinct, continued doing things his way. The manager’s patience was wearing thin.
In the second half of the 71st minute, Song was substituted for Ramsey.
Wenger didn’t even look at him as he came off, and Song kept his head down, not offering so much as an apology.
Anyone watching could see the tension between them.
Although Song’s reckless advance was partly a reason for the Arsenal draw, Arsenal as a whole was defensively poor. By having such a result, they missed out on three valuable points which they could have used to overtake Chelsea in fourth position, since Chelsea drew too.
Song finished the match with a dismal rating of 5.8.
The backlash from fans was swift and fierce. Social media exploded with criticism.
"Could’ve had the win — and we dropped points because this guy forgot how to play midfield!” one fan fumed in an interview after the game.
What made it worse was Song’s inflated self-image.
He fancied himself a top-class midfielder.
But fans weren’t having it.
One particularly biting comment on social media made the rounds:
“Remember! You’re not Pirlo. You don’t do Pirlo things. Stick to your job — stay back and clean up. Stop pretending you’re a number ten.”
It quickly became the top-voted comment. Many supporters agreed.
“Tie Song to the DM spot” became the unofficial slogan.
But Song was like a runaway horse — impossible to leash.
Going forward is fine, but come back too.
What’s the point of surging ahead and never tracking back?
Song facing external pressure from fans and internal pressure from the club reached his breaking point. He posted a long rebuttal on social media, firing back at the fans.
That only poured more fuel on the fire.
Wenger had to step in and do damage control, ordering Song to take down his post and stay silent.
Song obeyed, but the damage was done. His training attitude became visibly worse, and his performances grew even more lackluster.
At the training ground, Wenger watched him jog listlessly across the pitch, frustration etched into his face.
Arsenal still needed Song’s defensive abilities, so Wenger couldn’t afford a complete fallout, but the attitude problem was undeniable.
Pat Rice offered a suggestion.
“Why don’t we give Kai some more support — put pressure on Song?”
Wenger considered it, then shook his head.
“He’s still young. Let him train for the rest of the season. I’ll give him more chances, but it’s not time to rely on him just yet.”
Pat nodded. He trusted Wenger’s instincts.
After all, Wenger had always believed in nurturing young talent, as long as they didn’t make costly mistakes, Arsenal was a great place to develop.
...
December 30, 2011.
Arsenal dropped a bombshell.
Arsène Wenger officially announced the return of a legend: Thierry Henry was coming back to Arsenal on a short loan.
After four years away, Henry was home again.
For Arsenal fans, it was an emotional moment. Henry was the club icon — the King of Highbury.
During his eight years with the club, Henry scored 174 goals in the league and 42 in Europe. He was later voted the greatest Arsenal player of all time by fans on the club’s official site.
The legend was alive — and now, returning.
Henry had recently been in London on December 7th for Arsenal’s 125th anniversary, when the club unveiled his bronze statue outside the Emirates.
At the time, the fans had already been chanting:
“King! King!”
Now it was real. Perhaps Wenger sensed the squad needed a talisman — someone to steady the ship.
The news swept across London and quickly made headlines throughout Europe.
...
North London
Early January — First Snow
The city was cloaked in a soft silver blanket. Snowflakes fell gently, covering the streets and rooftops.
Down a quiet road, a boy in a tracksuit, beanie, and scarf jogged along, dribbling a football between his feet.
His pace wasn’t quick, but the rhythm of the ball was steady, smooth, and natural.
Occasionally, he flicked the ball up, cushioning it with his thigh, then catching it with his foot before launching it into a juggling move over his head — and catching it on the run.
For an entire kilometer, the ball never touched the ground.
At last, the boy stopped in front of the training base, stepping on the ball and exhaling.
“Haahhhh…”
Kai rubbed his hands together, warming them against his mouth.
Winter had settled in deep, and the London wind pierced straight through his layers.
But he had no choice — he had to adapt.
Two more weeks until his hearing concluded.
In the meantime, Wenger had occasionally let him train with the first team.
But still — no game time.
Kai didn’t know what the boss was waiting for. But he was desperate to play again.
It had been half a year since his last competitive match. The labor permit issues had kept him sidelined all this time.
If it went on any longer, he feared he’d forget what it felt like to be on the pitch.
Sighing, Kai entered the base and headed straight for the locker room.
He was, unsurprisingly, the first to arrive.
After changing, he jogged out to the pitch. The snow had been cleared off — the grounds crew was efficient as always.
Kai warmed up, then started working on ball control.
It was his daily ritual.
When he wasn’t sleeping, he was with a ball at his feet. And it was paying off — his touch had improved greatly.
He wasn’t on Arteta’s level yet, but for a young player, his growth was remarkable.
Soon, the first-team players started arriving.
“Morning.”
“You beat us here again.”
“Finish your warm-up and we’ll train together.”
Walcott, Van Persie, Arteta — they all greeted him warmly.
They’d seen his performances in training games.
Defensively, Kai was already among the best in the squad.
When he played with the main team, Arsenal’s defensive intensity noticeably increased.
As the players wrapped up their warm-up, Wenger hadn’t appeared yet. Instead, Pat Rice came over.
He walked straight up to Kai.
“Wenger wants to see you in his office.”
Kai blinked.
“Right now?”
“Now,” Pat smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. “Good news.”
Kai’s heart leapt. Maybe this was it.
He headed to the office, the route now familiar.
This would be his third visit this season — a rare honor for a young player.
Just as he raised his hand to knock, he heard laughter from inside.
He paused.
Wenger had been unusually serious this season — hearing him laugh was rare.
Kai knocked.
“Come in,” came the voice.
He pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Wenger was seated on the couch, chatting with someone. Two cups of coffee sat on the table.
The other man turned, and Kai froze.
“T-T-T...Thierry Henry?!”
The unmistakable bald head. The sharp, smiling eyes.
Henry smiled and nodded.
“Should I give you two a moment?” he asked Wenger.
Wenger waved him off. “No need. Stay.”
Kai’s eyes kept drifting toward the Arsenal legend as he sat down.
Wenger grinned. “You’re getting a chance soon — and the club will be offering you a formal five-year contract.”
Kai nodded, still sneaking glances at Henry.
Wenger continued. “Also, you can move into the Highbury apartments — they’re ready now.”
“Got it,” Kai replied, eyes still locked on Henry.
Even Henry looked a little uncomfortable now.
Wenger finally lost patience.
“Stop staring!”
The shout startled them both.
Henry was surprised. Wenger rarely raised his voice.
Sighing, Wenger calmed himself and said, “You’ll have plenty of time to see him later.”
Then he reached behind the couch and pulled out a box.
“And this,” he added, “is your new jersey.”
“Jersey?” Kai blinked. “But I already have one — number 24.”
Wenger handed him the shirt.
Kai turned it over.
His eyes widened. Henry leaned forward slightly, surprised.
A crisp new Arsenal shirt — red and white.
On the back:
Number 4.
