The God of Football Starts With Passive Skills

Wenger's tone softened as he spoke.

"I've lost count of how many times I've heard those exact words over the past few years. My ears have grown calluses from it."

Gazidis listened silently to Wenger's complaints, unable to refute them.

Although he had only joined the team in January 2009, just two and a half years ago, he understood Arsenal's situation very well.

Wenger's situation had always been like this.

They had money, but were afraid to spend it!

"I'm telling you, Ivan." After a moment of silence, Wenger spoke again, his voice still forceful.

"The reality is, every year we sell our captain, every year we fight for a top-four finish, every year our goal is the Champions League round of 16. Year after year, over and over, we tell our fans to believe in the future."

"When we were building the stadium, we said that once it was finished, everything would be fine. Once the stadium was built, we said to wait another two years, that once the debt from the Highbury property development was paid off, we'd be fine."

"The debt from the Highbury Stadium property is paid off, and we're still saying, 'Just wait a little longer, just wait.'"

"I'm 61 years old. How much longer can I wait?"

"The future we promised the fans, the future you promised me—when will it ever arrive?"

By the end, Wenger was practically roaring in fury.

His deeply lined face was contorted with anger.

"I've been here for almost 15 years. I helped the club build that stadium that all Arsenal fans are proud of, and together we built this training ground that the entire United Kingdom envies."

"How many good players have we given up for the sake of those numbers on a balance sheet?"

"You can't understand what it feels like to watch these young kids in the first team, kids I've painstakingly developed, become desperate to escape this place one by one."

"And you can't understand why, in the last two or three years, the team has been less and less successful at developing young players."

"They clearly lack nothing—not talent, ability, skill, or opportunity. So why is it that the young talents who used to spring up like mushrooms after rain have found it harder and harder to break through these past few years?"

"Because we lost Vieira, we lost Henry! We lost our leader!"

"When we don't have a fixed leader, we can't have a stable tactical system. Young players in a tactical environment that's constantly changing will become lost, and their talent and potential will even slowly be extinguished."

Gazidis looked at the unfamiliar Wenger before him, as if seeing him for the first time.

In his memory, the Wenger of the past had never been like this.

"What do you want, Arsene?"

This was the question Wenger had been waiting for. He looked Gazidis straight in the eye and said, enunciating every word.

"I want you to go talk to Kroenke. Tell him to take off my shackles, let me sign Wang Shuo from Dortmund, and give me two or three years. Let me build a team around Wang Shuo, a team that can truly win championships!"

Gazidis was stunned.

Especially when he looked down and saw the transfer plan Wenger had handed him, he instantly realized that Wenger wasn't joking. He was completely serious.

"You know Kroenke is a businessman. He's said he won't interfere in football matters, but he won't invest either. He only ever cares about the numbers on the financial statements."

"Then give him numbers!" Wenger said forcefully.

With that, he turned, walked to his desk, pulled open a drawer, and took out a thick file, handing it to Gazidis.

"I've already run the numbers. Signing Wang Shuo isn't some impossible dream for us. There isn't even much risk. He's simply the best striker in world football today."

"But Shevchenko, Torres at Chelsea..."

"He is not Torres! And he is certainly not Shevchenko!" Wenger cut Gazidis off without mercy.

"I've analyzed the financial data from the past few years, calculated our current financial situation, and listed the potential growth areas for the next few years after signing Wang Shuo. I think this deal is worth doing!"

"If you don't believe me, go ask Nike. Just tell Nike we want to sign Wang Shuo and see how much help they're willing to offer."

"And have the commercial department commission an assessment. What kind of boost would signing Wang Shuo give our club in the Asian, Chinese, and United States markets?"

A flicker of interest appeared in Gazidis's eyes when he heard this.

This was indeed a huge draw!

"What you're saying might solve the increase in salary and expenses that comes with signing Wang Shuo, but what about the transfer fee and the startup capital to rebuild the squad?"

"Sell every player who wants to leave!"

As he said this, Wenger looked at Gazidis with a resolute expression.

Gazidis was completely dumbfounded!

"Ivan, you know? One night, I couldn't sleep. I was just tossing and turning in bed, thinking, and I suddenly realized something. All these years, we've been too obsessed with 'not making a mistake.' We've been resting on our laurels, only daring to look for geniuses within our budget."

"But football has changed!"

"This time, I want to take a risk. I'm willing to bet my entire coaching career, to bet all the reputation and pride I've built up over the years, on one bold gamble that could change the fate of everyone at Arsenal!"

Gazidis could feel the conviction in Wenger's tone.