Chapitre 42: The Showdown at White Hart Lane 2.0
"Whaa! so arrogant!"
A reporter muttered as he watched Louis walk away.
"Ignore him and leave quickly," Arteta said, pulling Louis along.
"He's a notorious and shameless Tottenham fan" Sagna added, draping an arm around Louis' shoulders.
Louis knew of this reporter. Richard Hurst was a die-hard Tottenham fan who led the charge in writing critical articles about him.
"Some people actually compare you to Bale. You can't even match one of his fingers!" Hurst shouted, looking proud.
Louis paused briefly, hearing the taunt.
"Damn guy, he has no professional ethics at all!" Vermaelen said angrily.
Louis turned to look at the proud-looking Hurst but had no time to pay further attention as he focused on warming up for the game.
Hurst, convinced that his words had impacted Louis' mood, thought he had done Tottenham a favor. His pride showed as he basked in the moment, the sparse hair on his head reflecting the light.
A few reporters frowned, feeling ashamed of Hurst's behavior, while others, less concerned, focused on their own tasks.
Wenger's trust in Louis was clear, but this intense public scrutiny raised questions about whether it would put too much pressure on the 17-year-old.
As the players came out to warm up, Louis seemed a bit distracted, occasionally glancing towards the Tottenham side, worrying assistant coach Bould. The consistent boos from the fans were all directed at Louis, labeling him as an easy target.
Louis, however, was focused on the [Bond System] that hadn't released a new player skill module in days. He knew he had to prove himself, and his mind was on Gareth Bale, Tottenham's top star.
Bell caught the ball and shot, the ball nearly ripping through the net. Louis, observing this, took a similar shot, catching Bale's attention.
"That guy seems to have a pretty good shot from long range," Bale commented to his center-back teammate Vertonghen.
"It's a shame," Vertonghen shrugged. He had watched Louis' game videos and was convinced long-range shooting wasn't his strong suit.
Bale, known for his rising stardom, had become a household name after defeating Maicon in the Champions League. His fame was on par with Neymar's, making him the next potential superstar. Louis' rise to fame at 17 reminded Bale of the challenges young players face.
Louis' frequent glances towards Bale had sparked his competitive spirit, but no bond system activated between them.
Back in the dressing room, Wenger emphasized the derby's importance. The team put on long-spiked cleats suitable for the rainy weather and walked out with determination.
Despite familiar faces among the teams, no one acknowledged each other. The fierce rivalry demanded complete focus.
In the player tunnel, the referees reminded the team captains to keep their players' emotions in check to prevent a game full of red and yellow cards.
Soon, the players lined up with the referee and stepped onto the field. White Hart Lane erupted with cheers for Tottenham and boos for Arsenal, creating a hostile atmosphere.
"Gareth," the DJ called out.
"Bale!!" the crowd roared back, giving the loudest cheer so far.
When it was Arsenal's turn, the DJ read the names without enthusiasm.
"Arsenal player No. 19, Louis Dupont."
The loudest booing of the season at White Hart Lane ensued, marking perhaps the craziest moment of the season at the stadium.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone