Under the recommendation of Chief Scout Steve, Chen Tao finally met the world-renowned coach, one of the Premier League legends, the manager who spent 20 years building Arsenal's Premier League cornerstone — Arsene Wenger!
Compared to his spirited middle-aged appearance on TV a few years ago, the Professor in reality looked more like an ordinary elder.
Wearing glasses, he was quite refined and actively smiled as he shook hands with Chen Tao.
Chen Tao had originally thought that upon arriving at Arsenal, he would first interact with an assistant coach or the head of youth development.
Meeting Wenger right away caught him off guard.
Steve Rowley seemed to notice Chen Tao's surprise.
"Chen, it was Mr. Wenger who specifically suggested inviting you for a trial."
"Thank you, Mr. Wenger, for this opportunity."
Chen Tao returned the smile, his demeanor not like a rookie but more like a businessman polished by years in a professional environment.
Wenger was even surprised.
"Your English is quite good."
"No problem communicating with teammates."
"Hmm, good."
Wenger nodded approvingly; he most feared East Asian children who were silent and had no communication with their teammates.
This kind of situation often happened before, the most typical example being Manchester United player King Dong.
According to his arch-rival Ferguson's description, East Asian players are silent, introverted, unfamiliar with English, and find it difficult to communicate with teammates.
On the field, this is quite fatal.
If no one knows you, why would they pass you the ball?
Clearly, Chen Tao is a smart kid, and he will definitely have no problem getting along with his teammates.
A heavy weight was finally lifted from Wenger's heart.
"Let me tell you upfront, our trials are not that easy. Every year countless youths come for trials, and very few are kept."
"It doesn't matter. If you miss out, it's your loss."
"Oh?"
Wenger narrowed his eyes at the young man from the East. Chen Tao also met his gaze with full confidence, showing no fear.
Steve Rowley chuckled, speaking favorably for Chen Tao to prevent Wenger from being angered by his youthful arrogance:
"Chen is indeed an excellent prospect. I've seen him play with my own eyes."
"Hahahahaha!"
Wenger suddenly let out a hearty laugh:
"Has character, good. Steve, take him to complete the formalities."
"Good luck, kid."
Before leaving, Wenger even gave Chen Tao a thumbs up.
Chen Tao didn't feel much, but Steve let out a long sigh of relief.
"You're not nervous at all facing our manager?"
In the England League tradition, the head coach is the manager, the football manager.
He not only coaches the players but also holds the team's operational rights!
Player transfers, youth academy management, staff personnel—equivalent to a CEO in other companies, even club shareholders had to respect him.
It wasn't until later, with increased commercialization and more refined club management, that more and more clubs abolished the function of the football manager.
The head coach was just a coach; he only had advisory power over transfers, with the actual transfer operations handled by the director of football.
Even a strong personality like Mourinho had to haggle with owner Abramovich, eventually leading to an unpleasant parting.
Wenger held absolute authority at Arsenal.
Unfortunately, the club incurred massive debt to build a new stadium, leading to constant financial constraints in the transfer market.
This directly turned Wenger and Arsenal into meme kings in football.
"Best XI ever," "lost in the medical room," "Wenger's almost-signed," "up a tree"—these are all inextricably linked to Arsenal.
When Chen Tao walked into the Arsenal medical center, he almost burst out laughing.
This left Steve beside him completely bewildered.
"What's wrong, Chen?"
"Nothing, I just thought of something happy."
Chen Tao didn't know how to explain, he wasn't even clear about the origin of these memes.
In 2007, the internet didn't have these memes, and Higuain and Arsenal were temporarily unrelated.
But Chen Tao's mind would inexplicably conjure up many strange pieces of information.
For example, Arsenal would still not win the League this season,
And even for the next 18 years, Arsenal's most recent Premier League title would still be from the 2003/04 season.
Chen Tao had had this kind of supernatural "premonition phenomenon" since he was a child, occasionally triggered randomly, and he had grown accustomed to it.
At the medical center,
Chen Tao underwent multiple examinations including blood, heart, MRI, bones, muscles, and body fat;
Additionally, there were extreme physical tests, maximal oxygen uptake tests, and combat tests.
He did nothing else all day, spending 8 hours at the medical center, and Chen Tao finally passed the medical examination.
"It was tough, you can rest for two days, come to the base for training on Monday."
Scout Steve was still dedicated to helping Chen Tao.
"If you want to go to the city, you can call this number, he is a taxi driver we know, and he will show you around London well."
"Thank you, Mr. Rowley."
"This is all what I should do. If you can truly establish yourself in the first team, perhaps we will have a chance to win the League next season."
Steve Rowley joked, started the engine, and drove away.
Chen Tao was truly alone this time.
He stood at the entrance of the Colney Training Base, looking at the desolate woods around him, and shivered from the cold wind, quickly running back to the dormitory.
There really wasn't much to see in such a deserted place.
Might as well go to the base gym and lift weights.
...
In the car, Steve Rowley was on the phone, reporting the situation to Wenger.
"How was it?"
"Basically, no problems found. The young man is healthy.
However, he lacks muscle strength, has poor tackling ability, and also has issues with stamina and physical fitness.
All of these are understandable, as he is only under 16 years old; it's a normal phenomenon."
"I understand."
Wenger looked at the detailed medical report simultaneously sent to his email, deep in thought.
...
The 2007-2008 Premier League season was in full swing.
Due to the 2008 European Cup and Olympic Games, the start times for national Leagues were moved up this year.
As early as August 11th, the Premier League had already completed its opening round.
Now, on August 27th, four League rounds have been played.
Arsenal 2-1 Fulham, 1-1 Blackburn, 1-0 Manchester City, 3-1 Portsmouth;
After 4 matches, with 3 wins and 1 draw, Arsenal is currently at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal's morale has been high these days.
When Chen Tao arrived at the base cafeteria in the morning, he immediately felt the team's joyful atmosphere upon entering.
Since the last round was an away game, the first team squad had just returned to the base.
This was Chen Tao's first close encounter with these Premier League stars.
Seeing Chen Tao enter wearing an Arsenal training kit, Brazilian defensive midfielder Gilberto Silva was still joking with him.
"Friend, the youth academy pitch is in another area, did you get lost…? Do you understand English?"
"Don't scare him, Gilberto."
A bald black man with a French accent in his English walked up to greet him.
"Hello, are you the team's new apprentice signing? I am William Gallas, the team captain."
"I haven't signed yet, I'm here for a trial."
There were many young players coming and going for trials in the team, and Gallas was long used to it.
He didn't look down on the other party because he was on trial, but instead greeted him warmly.
"Go get a tray first and find some food you like. The upcoming training will be very energy-consuming."
"Thank you."
Under the guidance of Captain William Gallas, Chen Tao also got to know the Arsenal first-team players.
Their reactions to Chen Tao's arrival varied.
Talented players like Van Persie, Fabregas, and Walcott didn't care, silently eating their own food.
Midfield maestro Rosicky, however, smiled and greeted Chen Tao.
Brazilians Gilberto Silva and Frenchmen Flamini were very keen to chat, asking many strange questions and showing great interest in China.
"Do you still ride cows to school? Does everyone wear straw hats?"
"Is the air pollution very serious?"
"Eat more, these are all safe foods."
Chen Tao was completely speechless.
Did you all grow up watching BBC?
Their words were quite friendly, but full of typical stereotypes.
It seemed necessary for him to make a name for himself, to make more people pay attention to his homeland, and truly understand and recognize the rising great Eastern nation.
After Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi became famous, whether it was Portugal or Argentina, the number of tourists visiting out of admiration significantly increased.
Chen Tao hoped he could achieve the same.
The key was that he needed to impress the coaching staff during the trial and stay with the team!
"Next, we'll start with a group scrimmage, Chen, you join in too."
After the warm-up, it should have been regular training content.
Wenger, however, uncharacteristically moved the scrimmage to the very beginning of the training.
And he allowed a 15-year-old player to join the scrimmage with the adult first team.
This clearly surprised the Arsenal players greatly!
Ah? Isn't he from the youth academy?
Does a 15-year-old really have a chance to join the first team?
Wenger didn't explain much, only urged the players to prepare quickly.
There was nothing they could do. The Arsenal players eagerly rolled up their sleeves, hoping to perform well and secure a starting spot in the upcoming matches!
Chen Tao wore an Arsenal training kit without a number on the back, and put on a yellow bib representing the reserve squad.
As soon as he walked onto the pitch and stretched his limbs, a rather cold voice came from beside him:
"Don't drag us down later, Asian."
Chen Tao glanced sideways. The speaker was the genius handpicked by Wenger, the midfield core poached from La Masia.
Cesc Fabregas.
Facing the provocation, Chen Tao didn't get angry but instead laughed:
"I should be saying that to you, Spaniard."
"I'm Catalan! Do you even know who I am?"
Fabregas, who had always been hailed as a genius and praised to the heavens by the media, was being looked down upon for the first time by an unknown guy!
Damn it!
"I don't care who you are!"
Soon, Fabregas's anger turned into shock!
The Asian whom he had just looked down upon, the guy who, in his stereotype, couldn't play football at all.
Actually dribbled past multiple first-team players consecutively, performed a 'elastico' to toy with Captain William Gallas, and entered the penalty area as if no one was there!
"My God?!"
Immediately after, to the shock of all Arsenal players and Professor Wenger.
Chen Tao's close-range shot flew towards the corner flag.
"Damn it, still couldn't score?"
The Colney Training Base was as quiet as a library.