Having just come through a demanding Premier League fixture, Arsenal wasted no time. On September 15th, they flew to Germany to prepare for their first Champions League group stage match.
Their opponent was Borussia Dortmund once again.
Just like last season, Arsenal and Dortmund found themselves drawn into the same group. Anderlecht and Galatasaray could only look on with concern. On paper, the qualification already looked out of reach.
Borussia Dortmund had long established itself as a strong Champions League side. Arsenal, now the reigning Premier League champions, arrived with momentum and confidence. Few believed either team would show mercy.
The opening match of the group, Borussia Dortmund versus Arsenal, quickly became the focal point of the entire round.
Compared to last season, Dortmund had changed significantly.
Lewandowski, their star striker, had joined Bayern Munich on a free transfer. Dortmund did not receive a single euro in return.
After Götze, Lewandowski's move to Bayern once again strengthened the Bavarians and left Dortmund supporters furious and helpless.
It was not the first time, but the feeling of being targeted never faded.
Lewandowski's departure left a clear hole up front. Even Klopp knew that tactical brilliance had limits. Without the right players, ideas alone were not enough.
Arsenal, by contrast, had kept its core squad intact and added more quality on top of it.
For Dortmund fans, it felt like facing a familiar enemy that had grown even stronger.
Last season's Champions League clashes still lingered in memory. Arsenal had already caused serious problems. With new reinforcements this year, the threat felt even greater.
. . .
In the Dortmund dressing room, Klopp addressed his players.
"Arsenal's front three must stay under constant pressure. Suárez, Di María, and Sánchez can all create chances on their own. Sánchez and Suárez combine well with the team, but you cannot give any of them space."
He paused briefly.
"As for Di María, focus on containment. I know it is hard to manage all three at once. Your priority is stopping their ball carriers from turning and driving."
Then he sighed and rubbed his head.
"And the midfield…"
Anyone would feel the pressure when looking at Arsenal's lineup.
Up front was Suárez, the Premier League Golden Boot winner.
Di María and Sánchez added pace, movement, and unpredictability.
Behind them sat Kai and Cazorla.
That midfield offered control, creativity, and defensive balance.
Last season had already been difficult. This season, Arsenal's midfield dominance has reached an elite European level.
Even Klopp would not pretend he could match them head-on.
The defense looked less imposing on paper, but Arsenal's strength lay in the connection between midfield and back line. That structure formed the backbone of their defensive stability.
Once Arsenal settled into their rhythm, games slipped away quickly.
. . .
Arsenal secured a training ground shortly after arriving in Dortmund. After checking into the hotel, they headed straight out for an adaptation session.
September in Germany was already cool, with daytime temperatures hovering around 19 degrees Celsius.
Most players wore inner layers to stay warm.
Sánchez, full of energy as ever, stayed in shorts and short sleeves.
The intensity of training remained high. Three straight wins at the start of the season had lifted morale. The squad trained with purpose and confidence.
The regular starters aimed for greater honors. Some quietly dreamed of helping Arsenal win their first Champions League, a feat that would place them permanently in the club's history.
The substitutes had their own motivations. They wanted starting roles, but even from the bench, a Champions League medal carried weight.
From their perspective, this Arsenal starting eleven was strong and was not easily broken into.
On the pitch, Kai and Cazorla worked on ball control.
They kept the ball airborne, using feet, head, and shoulders, moving smoothly while talking.
"Lewandowski is gone. Reus is injured. Hummels is out too. This one should be easier," Cazorla said.
Kai shook his head slightly.
"Not necessarily. Injuries matter, but Dortmund never relies on one player. Their strength is the system and discipline."
"But it still changes things," Cazorla replied.
Kai brought the ball down with his shoulder, leaned back, and drove it upward with his core. The ball floated back toward Cazorla.
Cazorla nodded it up, cushioned it with his shoulder, then returned it with the top of his foot.
Kai settled it cleanly.
"Enough talk. Let's focus on our rhythm. Come on. Let's do some contact work."
On the sideline, Arsène Wenger watched quietly and gave a subtle nod.
He liked what he saw.
The squad showed energy, focus, and a clear sense of purpose. Pride and responsibility sat side by side.
That mindset often decided whether a team could keep improving.
Talent alone meant nothing if players chased nightlife and comfort.
Wenger's gaze shifted toward the far left corner of the pitch.
Wilshere stood there alone, repeatedly striking the ball against the wall, over and over, without distraction.
His expression stayed fixed and concentrated, though no one could tell what was on his mind. Since the last warning, he no longer skipped training casually, but he had almost completely shut himself off from communication.
"Are you really going to let Jack leave?"
Pat Rice walked up beside Arsène Wenger and followed his gaze toward Wilshere.
To be fair, Wilshere's performances had not dropped to the point where departure felt inevitable.
Even as a substitute, he could still offer useful support in midfield.
His form fluctuated, but the potential was still there. At his best, Wilshere had once shown a level that could match Cazorla.
Pat Rice could not quite understand what Wenger was planning.
The whole situation felt strange.
If the club truly wanted to move on, they could have sold Wilshere during the summer window. At the very least, a transfer fee was realistic.
Yet Wenger had decided to let him leave on a free transfer.
That was not his usual way.
Arsène Wenger was known for extracting value wherever possible. He rarely allowed the club to take a financial loss.
And yet here he was, prepared to let Wilshere walk away without compensation.
Pat Rice could not help wondering whether Wenger had already made up his mind. This season aside, did he really intend to let Wilshere go?
Wenger did not look at Pat Rice as he replied.
"Jack is a very good player. Even now, I still believe that."
"But you are still letting him leave."
"Yes. I have reasons. Reasons I must accept."
"I do not fully understand them."
"That is fine. I do not need many people to understand. I only need the outcome to be right."
"And if it is not?"
Wenger paused briefly.
"Then I will take responsibility."
With that, he called the squad together.
After officially ending the session, he spoke again.
"There is one more arrangement. Pat needs to work closely with Cazorla on tactical details. From now on, Cazorla will stay with Pat."
Pat Rice turned toward Wenger in surprise.
Wenger met his eyes, calm but firm.
"No problem?"
Pat Rice studied him for a moment.
"No problem."
Wenger nodded, then continued.
"Wilshere will move in with Kai. The empty room will be closed. We will save some expenses."
Kai fell silent.
Wilshere did too.
Originally, Kai and Cazorla had shared a room. With Cazorla moving out, Kai had assumed he would finally have some privacy.
He had not expected this outcome at all.
To be honest, he and Wilshere were not particularly close.
Given their current positions as Arsenal's captain and the club's future centerpiece, there had always been quiet tension between them.
It never showed openly. Neither man allowed it to affect training or matches.
But among teammates, staff, and fans, the topic never truly went away.
That unspoken comparison made their relationship delicate. Polite, professional, but distant.
And now, those two awkward figures were expected to live together.
Kai could only stare ahead.
This situation was beyond expectation.
. . .
Please do leave a review and powerstones, which helps with the book's exposure.
Feel like joining a Patreon for free and subscribing to advanced chapters?
Visit the link:
[email protected]/GRANDMAESTA_30
Change @ to a