THE NEW SEASON ARC: Friendly Fire

The sun rose over London, casting a golden hue on the bustling city. At the Emirates training ground, the air was thick with anticipation. The dawn of a new season, the month of August was in full swing and the transfer window was open. After months of hard work, Arsenic had clawed his way back into the first team. The coach had been running tactical drills with Arsenic playing as a center forward instead of winger. It took some getting used to, but he was finally ready to get back into action.

The media, however, had been unrelenting in their Alucron Aveiro obsession. After Valencia Titans’ Champions League triumph final, Aveiro was trending with headlines like “Aveiro Cements Legacy: Is He the Greatest of All Time?” dominating the sports pages. However, a chance presented itself for Arsenic to change the narrative.

Midway through his training, news broke of the upcoming pre-season friendly between Valencia Titans and Emirates Gunners. The internet exploded with anticipation and predictions.

Headlines read:

"Arsenic vs. Aveiro: A Preview of the Season Ahead?" "The Comeback King vs. The Current King"

The team got on the bus and made their way to Wembley Stadium where the match was going to take place. Reporters lined the entrance, cameras ready to capture every movement. The friendly match between London Monarchs and Valencia Titans had become the most talked-about pre-season game in years. Arsenic got out of the bus first, his headphones on, drowning out the noise. His focus was razor-sharp as he walked past the group of reporters shouting questions.

"Arsenic, are you ready for Aveiro?"
"Do you think you can still perform at the top level?"
"Is this your redemption game?"

He didn’t respond, keeping his eyes fixed ahead.

Inside the Stadium, the locker room buzzed with activity. Coach Alex Rivera stood before the team.

"Listen up," Rivera said, his voice firm. "This is a friendly, but we all know what it means. They’ve got Aveiro and he’s going to try and show off. The world is watching but this isn’t about him. This is about us. Play our game as a team, stick to the plan, and we’ll show them why we’re called the Gunners."

The players nodded, their faces a mix of determination and nerves.

Rivera’s gaze settled on Arsenic. "You’ll get your chance, Phillip. Be patience and ready."

Arsenic nodded and the Coach revealed the starting eleven, they were going to use the 4-3-3 formation. As the players lined up in the tunnel, the roar of 100,000 fans filled the stadium, a mixture of chants and cheers as opposing fans tried to outdo one another. Arsenic, heading to the bench, exchanged brief nods with a few Titans players before locking eyes with Alucron, who turned away and smirked.

In the commentary box, Rui Kamara and Antoine Gratzy were already in position.

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to what promises to be an electrifying pre-season clash between Valencia Titans and Emirates Gunners!” Kamara announced.

“Arsenic starts on the bench today one a half years after his injury,” Gratzy noted. “Next to him is the young Temidayo Saka, the academy sensation who’s lighting up the youth leagues.”

The whistle blew and the game was underway. From the start, the pace was relentless. Valencia Titans controlled possession, with Aveiro pulling the strings in midfield. His touches were precise, his passes incisive.

In the 5th minute, he delivered a crossfield pass that split the Gunners’ defense. Valencia’s striker, Moreno Gil, unleashed a powerful shot, but Gunners’ dependable goalkeeper Alex Reyes made a stunning save. Reyes kicked the ball upfield and it landed on the Gunners’ captain Resurreccion Jorge who controlled the ball and passed it backwards to a defender. The Gunners passed the ball around keeping possession.

However, the possession didn’t take long as the Titan defender, Musa won the ball and passed it to Arantes Nascimento, the defensive mildfielder who gave it to Alucron.

"Aveiro picks up the ball in midfield," Rui Kamara narrated. "Look at that vision—what a pass! Splits the defense like a knife through butter!"

Moreno Gil latched onto the ball, his speed leaving the Gunners’ defense in his dust. He fired a thunderous shot toward the top corner, but Alex Reyes was equal to the task, diving acrobatically to his left to palm it away.

"Reyes with a world-class save!" Antoine Gratzy exclaimed. " The Gunners keeper has been the busiest of the two keepers in first 10 minutes."

Valencia’s control was relentless. Their quick passing and Aveiro’s tactical genius kept the Gunners pinned in their half. Aveiro attempted a long-range effort in the 15th minute, curling the ball toward the top corner, but Reyes was once again on hand to deny him.

"Reyes is keeping the Gunners alive here!" Kamara shouted.

The Gunners slowly found their rhythm. Marcus Pryce, their midfield anchor, began breaking up Titans’ play, forcing turnovers. In the 25th minute, Pryce intercepted a sloppy pass from Musa and launched a counterattack.

"Here come the Gunners! Pryce leading the charge!" Gratzy said, excitement in his voice. “He has been a revelation in the Gunners team since his transfer last season from Saxon Wolves in the German league.”

Pryce threaded the pass their German striker Kai Hevartz who miscontrolled the ball and it went out for a goal kick. The bench reacted visibly—Arsenic leaned forward, his frustration evident. Coach Rivera clapped encouragingly, shouting out instructions to the team.

“The young striker should have controlled that, shouldn’t he Gratzy? That was a missed opportunity.”

The first half ended in a stalemate, both teams showing flashes of brilliance but failing to break the deadlock. As the fans went to get food from the concesssions, the players went down the tunnel to the locker rooms.

In the locker room, Coach Rivera paced as he addressed his team.

"You’re doing well," he said. "But we need more composure in the final third. We’re letting them dictate the game. The chances will come but we need to keep possession. Pryce, you have put in a good showing today.” The teammates clapped .

“Resurreccion, keep the pressure on, acting as the controlling mind. Saka you’re coming on for Katsuki on the right wing, I want you to run at their defence. And Arsenic…"

He turned to the star forward, who had spent the first half watching intently. "You’re going in soon. Be ready and warm up on the touchline.

Arsenic nodded, his heart pounding. He had spent months preparing for this moment.