Chapter 55: Wenger—It's All Been Exposed!
Bayswater Chinese's 3–0 victory over Portsmouth shook the nation overnight.
Across the UK, media outlets scrambled to cover the story of the dark horse who had just done the unthinkable.
No one had expected Bayswater Chinese to go from Championship upstarts to League Cup giant-killers.
Especially with two sensational back-to-back performances: 4–0 against Southampton, 3–0 against Portsmouth. This was no fluke.
As The Times wrote in their post-match commentary:
"Southampton and Portsmouth have been turbulent lately, but both remain Premier League-caliber teams. Southampton is a long-established side, and Portsmouth currently sit mid-table in the Premier League."
"For Bayswater Chinese to dominate and defeat both at home—this is proof of real quality."
More than just a battle between two teams, the 3–0 win over Portsmouth was a duel of managers.
"At just 24 years old, Yang Cheng has emphatically proven his coaching prowess."
The Times emphasized that it was Yang Cheng's halftime substitution—the introduction of young Łukasz Piszczek—that turned the game.
"It was Piszczek's entrance that reignited Ashley Young down the right flank, which in turn reactivated the entire Bayswater frontline."
"In contrast, Zajec looked out of his depth."
They also gave special mention to Franck Ribéry.
Last season, even in League Two, the French winger had caught the eye of many clubs.
Now, in the Championship, he was playing at an even higher level—and the League Cup spotlight only amplified that.
Against both Southampton and Portsmouth, Ribéry had delivered world-class performances.
Now, he was firmly on the radar of Premier League scouts.
In addition, Aaron Lennon, with his brace against Southampton, and Ashley Young, who impressed again, were also beginning to make names for themselves—both English, both homegrown talents.
To cap it off, The Times couldn't resist a jab at their rival publication:
"When asked by an XX reporter in the post-match press conference, Yang Cheng said, 'Portsmouth gave us a great lesson tonight.'"
That was Yang Cheng's clapback to The Sun, which had famously declared Premier League clubs would teach him a lesson.
…
The four League Cup quarterfinals were now complete.
Manchester United had edged Arsenal 1–0 thanks to an early strike from David Bellion.
Both sides had rested their stars, but United's surprise opener made the difference.
It left Arsène Wenger furious.
What frustrated him even more?
Bayswater Chinese had beaten Portsmouth. Ribéry had scored a brace.
Reading the next day's media coverage, filled with praise for Yang Cheng, Ribéry, and the ever-improving Lass Diarra, Wenger's frown deepened.
It felt like a secret he had carefully guarded for years had been exposed to the world.
Ribéry, Diarra, Koscielny—all French.
All exceptional.
For over a year, Wenger had been quietly sending Steve Rowley to scout Bayswater Chinese, keeping tabs on these very players.
Now? The secret was out.
"With the way Ribéry's form is rising, I doubt we'll get him for anything less than £10 million," Wenger muttered grimly.
He had always had a soft spot for French players. Ribéry was exactly the type he loved.
"He's got eight league goals already. Clearly the focal point of their attack," said assistant coach Pat Rice.
"And Diarra's coming into his own too," added Rowley.
"At first, I thought he'd be another Makélélé. But the way Yang Cheng uses him—it's more like an attacking 8. He's got so much room to roam."
Wenger nodded. Yang Cheng's deployment of Diarra had really caught his attention.
And now, he was grappling with a real dilemma at Arsenal.
Patrick Vieira might not stay.
At 29, the French captain was itching for a new challenge.
If he left, Wenger would only have Gilberto Silva—a bit like Huddlestone at Bayswater.
The other midfield slot was occupied by a young Cesc Fàbregas.
Diarra could be the perfect complement.
Tempting.
But Wenger was too pragmatic to act on impulse.
Playing in the Championship wasn't the same as handling Premier League intensity.
Diarra needed more time.
Ribéry, on the other hand, was already posing a problem.
With Pires, Ljungberg, Reyes, and even Pennant still around, Arsenal's wings were stacked.
If Ribéry were cheaper, Wenger might take the gamble.
But now?
He hesitated.
Still… letting a player like Ribéry slip through his fingers?
It was killing him.
Especially since he was French.
Tough call.
…
"Wait, that amateur club made the semifinals?"
Over in Knightsbridge, Roman Abramovich couldn't believe what he was hearing.
He stared at Pini Zahavi in disbelief.
The Israeli agent didn't look too good himself.
Before the match, Zahavi had confidently told him that Bayswater Chinese couldn't possibly beat Portsmouth.
That was a Premier League side, mid-table.
Now?
Smack, smack, smack—3 slaps in the face.
"That Ribéry guy… is he really that good?"
"He's decent. But he's no Robben," Zahavi replied cautiously.
Arjen Robben, Chelsea's big summer signing from PSV, had exploded onto the Premier League scene.
His blistering speed had made him one of Mourinho's deadliest weapons.
"I heard he can play on the right too. And that Aaron Lennon kid who scored twice against Southampton—he's lightning. Bayswater Chinese really do have an eye for talent."
Abramovich had read all that in the papers.
Zahavi's lips twitched.
"Roman, if we buy their players, we're just helping them pay off their debts."
That made Abramovich pause—but then he understood.
Zahavi meant: don't make them stronger.
"Looking at it now… I'm not even sure they're struggling financially," Abramovich murmured.
Still, he was determined to pressure Bayswater Chinese.
He wanted that land. Needed it.
Maybe he could pull some strings in government.
After all, that site was a half-finished project.
If London were to win the Olympic bid, leaving that eyesore undeveloped would be a global embarrassment.
Resolved, Abramovich made up his mind.
"Actually, I hope we face them in the semis."
He narrowed his eyes.
"Time to settle that score from last season."
…
"This Lass Diarra's really something."
At Carrington, Manchester United's training ground, Sir Alex Ferguson scanned the morning papers.
The lad could run all day. Could press, intercept, recover.
Exactly what United needed.
Roy Keane, the captain, would be 34 by the end of the season.
Ferguson had long been hunting for a successor.
"And there's Ribéry," said assistant coach Carlos Queiroz with a smile.
"We've got Saha, Rooney, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Add Ribéry, and we've got the complete attacking trident."
Everyone at the club knew Queiroz didn't get along with Van Nistelrooy.
In his tactical blueprints, there was no room for Ruud.
Too static. Wrong profile.
Saha could hold the ball. Rooney was strong up top. Ronaldo had speed on the right.
But Ronaldo, for all his flash, was still inefficient. United were trying to simplify his game.
What they lacked was a ball carrier—someone who could beat a man.
If Ribéry came, Ronaldo could relax.
Plus, Giggs was already 31.
Ferguson glanced at Queiroz and understood.
Carlos was grooming Ronaldo—but to him, Rooney was the real future.
Even so, Ribéry and Diarra were definitely worth watching.
…
While all of England reeled from the dark horse's rampage, the League Cup semifinal draw was announced.
It would now switch to two-legged ties.
Bayswater Chinese drew Manchester United. Liverpool drew Chelsea.
On January 11th, the first leg would be at Old Trafford.
The moment the draw came out, the media erupted again.
The fairytale run was all but over.
Even before the draw, no one believed Bayswater Chinese had a chance. The other three semifinalists were all Premier League giants.
And now, they had drawn Ferguson's Manchester United.
…
Yang Cheng gave no response to the media storm.
He focused on his team.
Championship Round 22: at home, they crushed Rotherham 4–1, with two goals from Ribéry and one each from Kitson and Modrić.
Loftus Road welcomed over 16,000 fans—a new high.
The team's attacking style and League Cup run had won hearts across London.
A week later, Round 23, they beat Millwall 2–0 away.
Goals from Kitson in the 21st minute and Lennon in the 78th sealed the deal.
The two League Cup wins over Premier League sides had supercharged their confidence.
They looked unfazed in the league now.
December 17th, Round 24—final match before Christmas.
Home vs. Stoke City.
Another record crowd: 17,759, nearly full.
But what thrilled Yang Cheng even more came in the 27th minute.
Piszczek delivered a 30-meter diagonal ball from the right, straight to the edge of the box.
Ribéry beat the offside trap, chested it down, and lobbed the keeper.
1–0.
In the second half, between the 69th and 70th minutes, they scored twice more.
First, Koscielny from a corner.
Then, Huddlestone with a long-range strike after a midfield interception.
3–0.
Total domination.
With 14 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses from 24 matches, Bayswater Chinese now had 46 points, tied with Sunderland but ahead on goal difference in third place.
Ipswich led with 49, Wigan second with 47.
Everyone at the club was feeling very, very good.
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