บท 40: 39. Preparation againts Newcastle
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It was a moment that reminded him why he loved coming home, no matter how intense his day had been on the pitch. The love and support he found around this table meant more to him than anything else in the world.
The next morning, sunlight peeked through Francesco's curtains, nudging him awake. Blinking sleep from his eyes, he stretched, feeling a tinge of excitement for the new day. His dreams were filled with glimpses of his last training session, reminding him just how lucky he felt to be in this position.
Francesco slipped out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom, turning on the shower and letting the warm water wake him fully. After a quick, refreshing rinse, he brushed his teeth and ran a comb through his hair, glancing at his reflection with a mixture of determination and pride. Once he finished, he made his way downstairs, where the smell of toast and freshly brewed coffee filled the air.
In the kitchen, his mom Sarah was busy making breakfast, while his dad Mike sat at the table, reading the morning paper. "Good morning, Francesco!" Sarah greeted him with a warm smile, setting a plate of scrambled eggs and toast at his usual spot.
"Morning, Mom. Morning, Dad," Francesco replied, sliding into his chair and grabbing a piece of toast.
Mike looked up from his newspaper and gave Francesco an approving nod. "Big day again, huh? Ready for another round of training?"
Francesco grinned, taking a bite of his eggs. "Always. It still feels surreal to be part of the team."
Sarah placed a glass of orange juice beside him and gave his shoulder a light squeeze. "Just remember, we're so proud of you, no matter what. Keep doing your best."
Francesco nodded, feeling grateful for his parents' unwavering support. Breakfast was quick but filled with the familiar warmth of family conversation, which gave Francesco a sense of grounding as he prepared for the day.
After finishing his meal, he stood up and grabbed his bike from the garage. With a final wave to his parents, he hopped on and began pedaling down the street, his heart racing a little faster with every push as he approached Arsenal's training center at London Colney. The ride was invigorating, the cool morning air and quiet streets giving him a moment of calm before the intensity of the day.
Arriving at Colney, Francesco parked his bike and walked through the entrance, nodding to the security guard with a smile. As he made his way down the familiar corridors to the locker room, he felt a rush of excitement that never seemed to fade. Today was another chance to prove himself, to grow, and to show that he truly belonged in the Arsenal first team.
Inside the locker room, a few players were already getting ready. Francesco greeted them with a quick wave, making his way to his locker to change into his training kit. As he pulled on the red and white jersey, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Hey, Francesco! How's it going?" It was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, offering a friendly smile as he laced up his boots.
Francesco returned the smile. "Good, Alex. Ready for another day of hard work?"
Alex chuckled, patting Francesco on the shoulder. "Always, mate. You're doing great out there. Keep it up, and you'll be unstoppable."
Just then, Aaron Ramsey walked over, his own kit half on as he adjusted his socks. "Morning, Francesco! Heard you impressed some of the coaching staff yesterday," he said with a nod of approval.
Francesco felt a hint of embarrassment but managed a grin. "Thanks, Aaron. Just trying to keep up with you guys."
Aaron laughed, giving him a quick pat on the back. "Trust me, you're doing more than keeping up. Keep pushing yourself, and you'll go far."
Francesco's confidence soared at their encouragement. As he finished changing into his kit, he noticed the rest of the squad gathering, chatting casually as they prepared for the session. He felt a deep sense of camaraderie as he looked around, knowing he was part of something bigger—a team that pushed each other to be better every day.
When everyone was ready, they made their way out to the training grounds, where the morning air was crisp, and the grass glistened with dew. The coaches were already setting up cones and equipment for drills, and Arsène Wenger himself was on the sidelines, clipboard in hand, observing each player with his usual focus and insight.
The session began with a warm-up: jogging around the field, followed by stretches and agility drills. Francesco felt his muscles loosen, his body waking up to the rhythm of the exercises. His focus sharpened, and his mind cleared, tuned in to the demands of each movement.
Next came a series of passing drills, where the players paired up to practice quick, precise passes under pressure. Francesco partnered with Alex, and the two of them worked seamlessly together, each pass smooth and sharp. Alex was quick to give pointers, helping Francesco adjust his stance and speed when needed.
As they moved on to shooting drills, Francesco found himself paired with Aaron, who had a reputation for his powerful strikes. Aaron demonstrated a few techniques, and Francesco took note, watching the way Aaron positioned his body and followed through with his shots. When it was Francesco's turn, he put all his focus into each kick, determined to absorb as much as he could from his teammates.
Afterward, they broke into teams for a small-sided scrimmage. Francesco played with intensity, weaving through defenders and making crisp passes. His movement on the field had a confidence he hadn't felt before, bolstered by the encouragement of his teammates and the support he knew he had off the field.
As the scrimmage went on, Francesco found an opening near the goal and, with quick reflexes, received a pass from Alex. He took a steadying breath and shot. The ball flew past the goalkeeper, landing squarely in the back of the net.
"Nice one, Francesco!" Alex called, clapping him on the back as Francesco beamed with satisfaction. He caught a quick nod of approval from Wenger on the sidelines, and the look on the coach's face gave him a jolt of pride.
As the training session wrapped up, Arsène Wenger raised a hand, signaling the players to gather around. Francesco, still energized from his goal, jogged over with the rest of the squad. The sun was higher now, casting long shadows on the field, and there was a sense of anticipation in the air as the players looked to Wenger, waiting for his final instructions.
"Good work today, everyone," Wenger began, his voice carrying a calm authority that had always inspired respect. "Let's head to the tactical room. We need to go over our strategy for Saturday's game against Newcastle."
The players filed off the field, making their way through the building and into the tactical room. Francesco took a seat near the front, eager to absorb as much as he could. The room buzzed with low chatter as everyone settled in, but when Wenger stepped to the front and flipped on the projector, silence fell. A screen illuminated with Newcastle's formation and recent game footage, emphasizing their style and key players.
Wenger gestured to the screen. "Newcastle is currently using a 4-4-1-1 formation, but they're flexible and can shift to a 4-2-3-1 when needed. They have strength in their midfield, especially with Jonjo Shelvey, who's a pivotal player for them. He's got a good range of passing and tends to dictate their tempo."
Francesco watched intently as Wenger highlighted Shelvey on the screen. Shelvey's movements on the pitch replayed in slow motion, showcasing his knack for splitting defenses with long balls. Wenger's analysis was detailed, each clip revealing Newcastle's tendencies and style.
"Shelvey will try to control the game from deep and look for quick transitions. We need to cut off his supply, pressure him, and prevent him from finding those forward passes. Granit," Wenger nodded to Granit Xhaka, "you'll be on him, pressing and not allowing him the space to create."
Granit nodded, his expression focused. Wenger's gaze shifted across the room, making sure each player was engaged.
"Next, look at their left flank," Wenger continued, highlighting their winger, Matt Ritchie. "He's aggressive, direct, and will often look to cut inside or cross. Francesco, you'll be watching him, especially if you're in a wider position on Saturday. Don't give him the chance to get comfortable; force him onto his weaker foot whenever possible."
Francesco nodded, mentally noting Wenger's instructions. He pictured Ritchie's movements from the clips, anticipating the challenges of marking him. It was the kind of insight Francesco loved; each piece of tactical knowledge gave him confidence and a sense of purpose.
Wenger went on to explain the importance of maintaining a solid backline, highlighting Newcastle's forward, Papiss Demba Cisse, who had a knack for making quick runs in behind. "Cisse is quick and tends to hover on the shoulder of the last defender," Wenger explained, showing footage of Gayle's movements. "Laurent, Per, stay aware and communicate. We don't want him getting into those dangerous spaces."
Francesco glanced over at Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker, the veteran center-backs, who both gave nods of understanding. Wenger's focus on precision was something Francesco deeply admired. Every player had a role, and each role contributed to the bigger picture.
After analyzing Newcastle's attacking threats, Wenger shifted to Arsenal's strategy. "Now, for our approach," he said, bringing up a new set of tactical graphics displaying Arsenal's planned formation for Saturday. "We'll start with a 4-2-3-1, focusing on control and fluidity. Newcastle likes to sit deep, so we'll need to be patient, work the ball, and look for gaps."
He moved his attention to the midfield, outlining the roles of the two central players. "Alex, Santi, and Mathieu, we'll rely on you two to control the midfield. Look for quick passes to transition, especially if they're caught pushing up. We want to exploit their defensive gaps and pull their backline out of shape."
Francesco could sense the intensity building in the room as Wenger continued, his vision of how the game would unfold becoming clear. Wenger's strategy was meticulous, designed to counter Newcastle's defensive style with patience and precision.
"For the wingers," Wenger said, looking directly at Francesco, Alexis Sanchez, and Theo Walcott, "your job will be to stretch the pitch, pull their defense wide, and create space for our central players. Francesco, if you're coming off the left side, watch for opportunities to cut inside and take shots when you see the opening."
Francesco's heart pounded with excitement. Wenger's trust in him to play an active role was an incredible feeling, motivating him to live up to the expectations.
"To break their defense," Wenger continued, "we need quick, decisive movements. Olivier," he looked over to Olivier Giroud, "keep your positioning sharp, and be ready to hold up the ball. Pull their center-backs out, create space, and allow Alex or Francesco to make those late runs into the box."
Giroud gave a confident nod, fully embracing his role in Wenger's plan. The other players exchanged glances, absorbing the vision that Wenger had painted, each person's individual responsibility clear.
Finally, Wenger wrapped up by highlighting Newcastle's weak spots. "Newcastle's defense is solid, but they're vulnerable to quick, one-touch passing. If we move quickly, they'll struggle to keep up. Play smart, be creative, and don't be afraid to take risks in the final third."
The session concluded with Wenger looking around the room, his eyes settling on each player, including Francesco. "We're in a good position. Saturday is our opportunity to showcase everything we've worked on. Trust in each other, follow the plan, and keep your focus."
As the players filed out of the room, Francesco felt a renewed sense of purpose. Wenger's briefing had been eye-opening, and Francesco was eager to put everything he'd learned into practice.
As the tactical meeting ended, Francesco stood and joined the line of players filing out of the room, his mind buzzing with the detailed game plan. He couldn't help but feel grateful to be learning from one of the greatest minds in football, soaking up each insight and instruction Wenger had shared. Today's session had heightened his motivation, giving him a new layer of confidence and clarity about his role.
He changed out of his kit and made his way back to the bike rack outside the training center, where his bicycle waited. Sliding on his helmet, he hopped onto the bike and began pedaling home, retracing the familiar path through the quiet streets of London.
The breeze was cool, and he let his mind wander over Wenger's strategies, replaying the clips in his mind and envisioning himself on the pitch. Francesco could practically feel himself already there, maneuvering against Newcastle's defense, making those quick cuts inside, and aiming for the target just as Wenger had advised. The thought made his heart race with excitement; he was eager for Saturday's game, to show what he was capable of with the team's trust behind him.
The streets were calm as he rode, the sound of his bike's wheels humming beneath him. His neighborhood soon came into view, and he let himself slow down a bit, taking in the familiar sights. Reaching his house, he parked his bike in the garage and entered through the side door, where his mom was in the kitchen preparing lunch.
"Hey, Francesco! How was practice?" she asked, looking up with a smile as she wiped her hands on a kitchen towel.
"It was great," Francesco replied, setting his helmet down on the counter. "We went over a lot of tactics for the Newcastle match. Wenger has a pretty intense plan lined up."
Sarah grinned, catching his enthusiasm. "Well, it sounds like you're ready for it. You must be hungry—sit down, I'll get you something to eat."
Francesco's dad, Mike, entered the kitchen just then, a smile lighting up his face when he saw his son. "How's our future star?" he teased, giving Francesco a pat on the back.
"Ready for Saturday," Francesco replied with a grin, settling into a chair at the kitchen table. "The team's been really supportive; they've been helping me get the hang of things. Alex and Aaron even gave me some tips during training."
His parents exchanged proud smiles as Sarah placed a bowl of pasta in front of him. "Sounds like you're fitting right in. Just remember, no matter what, we're proud of you, Francesco. Enjoy every moment."
Francesco nodded, digging into his meal, comforted by the warmth of his family's support. They talked casually as he ate, his excitement for Saturday building with every thought about the upcoming match. The anticipation was almost too much, but he knew he'd have to be patient and keep his focus.
The rest of the afternoon passed peacefully, filled with light chores and a bit of time spent on his own practicing skills in the backyard. He went over footwork drills, imagining the game scenarios Wenger had described, visualizing himself moving smoothly past defenders and keeping his composure under pressure.
As evening settled, Francesco looked forward to Saturday with a heart full of determination. He was ready to give everything on the field, to make his family proud, and to show everyone that he belonged.
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Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 16 (2014)
Birthplace : London, England
Football Club : Arsenal First Team
Championship History : None
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