From Arsenal to the Ball God

While the Arsenal people were celebrating wildly, the staff inside the venue set up a small podium in front of the players’ tunnel.

Calling it a podium, it actually resembled more of an advertising wall, with logos of all the event and team sponsors present, dozens of reporters had set up cameras in the vicinity waiting, making for a very lively scene.

What was about to happen here was the award ceremony for individual accolades for this season’s Premier League.

"Ladies and gentlemen.....!"

A female host stood on the stage holding a microphone, her voice immediately resonated throughout the entire Emirates Stadium, attracting everyone’s attention.

"A glorious season has passed! Now, it’s time for us to focus our attention on those outstanding players!"

"In 38 rounds of matches, 380 competitions, and a total of 34,562 minutes of game time! A total of 527 top players have set foot on this field, and the best among them will receive the highest accolades!"

"This is the utmost honor! The player who receives it will become a role model for the new generation of footballers, someone others aspire to chase!"

"....."

The Arsenal players, who were originally jumping around on the other side, smiled and turned to look at her upon hearing the announcement, clapping their hands and gradually approaching the podium.

Many people turned their eyes to Ma’el, everyone knew that this year’s individual awards ceremony was very likely his personal spotlight.

He will achieve numerous individual accomplishments here and become the most dazzling player of this season!

"What about the Assist King?" Van Persie turned his head to ask Arteta, who was holding his phone, and said curiously, "David Silva’s or his? Or will they both get it?"

"David Silva’s."

Arteta, looking slightly regretful, shrugged and showed his phone to Van Persie, "He scored one goal and assisted twice in the final league game, bringing his assist total to 21."

"Ah....." Van Persie also sighed regretfully, then turned around and patted Ma’el on the shoulder, "Was just one assist away from being the top in both, would you blame us for wasting some of your passes?"

Ma’el didn’t know why he’d think that way, and chuckled with a hint of absurdity, "Of course not, scoring is a low-probability event, I’ve wasted quite a few chances myself too.

"Don’t overthink it, just that this season I focused differently, my skills weren’t enough to easily claim two major accolades."

Though he said so, he was indeed a bit surprised that D Silva managed to have a 21-assist season.

This is a record-breaking number... seems that after losing the championship, D Silva had undergone some changes in mentality, desperately wanting to achieve something this season, and he has successfully done so.

Ma’el would not feel regretful, the Golden Boot Award was certainly his, and there was a big chance he would claim the Best Player too.

In this situation, only losing the assist title to a peak D Silva by a one-assist difference is not shameful.

Or put it another way, a single-season record of 43 goals and 20 assists already doesn’t need the Assist King title to add to it... that’s the best, the top-notch statistics, even taken alone any one of them is!

Certainly, for the dream of a grand slam, the Assist King award will definitely be his goal next season.

By then his abilities in various aspects will surely be stronger than they are now, and with fancy footwork improving, the playing style will also change, yielding more goals and assists should definitely not be an issue.

Even if D Silva can continue the hot form of this season, he is confident he can outshine him and take this achievement!

Moreover, it’s incredibly difficult for players to maintain form, and those who can manage this are almost only Messi, Ronaldo and a few others.

Like him, not only maintaining form but performing better and better, that’s even rarer.

"The first award to be presented is the Golden Boot Award, a trophy which only one was made, and it has been placed at the Emirates Stadium before the game."

On the podium, the female host’s gaze was on the group of Arsenal players, finally locking on Ma’el, "Because everyone knows the Premier League top scorer of this season can only be an Arsenal player!

"Let us welcome with the warmest applause and cheers, the super striker who netted 43 goals this season and claimed the Golden Boot in a record-breaking manner.

"Ma...el...!!"

"Ahhhaaa.....!!" The Arsenal fans at Emirates Stadium stood up and shouted loudly, while many Norwich fans also clapped with appreciation.

"Clap clap clap.....!" Arsenal players, coaching staff, and staff in the stadium also all smiled and applauded for Ma’el.

All the cameras were focused on Ma’el, capturing his expressions, every move from various angles.

Ma’el showed a smile and hugged the people congratulating him one by one beside him.

"Completely convinced." Van Persie said during the hug, no disappointment in his eyes, only appreciation for his teammate.

"Congratulations!" Arteta gave a simple congratulation, "The top scorer at 18 in the top league!"

Mertesacker was different; he joked, "Later, pour drinks into the Golden Boot to drink from."

"Oh....." Ma’el shook his head with a look of disdain, "I can’t accept that, if you want to do so, I can lend it to you."

Mertesacker laughed and waved his hand, clearly not wanting to do it either, "I guess there’s no need at all."

Ma’el patted him and finally walked to Mr. Wenger’s side, giving a high-five and hug with the old professor.

"Once you take it back, store it properly, you know, all Arsenal people understand, it was those boots that delivered the championship, delivered the unbeaten season, as well as the 100 points."

Wenger spoke a lot into Ma’el’s ears, expressing gratitude on behalf of all Arsenal people for Ma’el’s contributions.

"I will store it properly." Ma’el nodded and smiled before stepping onto the stage, "This won’t be the last one, and I’m not just referring to Golden Boots."