"Now you know what it’s like to give up?"
"Weren’t you acting tough? Ha ha."
"I thought you’d be able to handle it with such an expensive value."
"Don’t move, we’re not done yet, I can’t stop."
Tang Long lay bare-chested on the massage chair, grimacing and groaning in pain.
Gracie, the female team doctor, was applying anti-inflammatory ointment to his left shoulder, massaging with her soft hands.
Her gentle, petite hands might look delicate, but her massage techniques are as strong as a seasoned professional, showcasing very professional medical experience in every move.
"Turn over, switch sides."
Tang Long turned over at Gracie’s direction.
"Is it done? I feel like I’m almost there." Tang Long said.
"Not done, you might be ready, but I’m not done here." Gracie replied, looking at him with a half-smile.
Tang Long’s deltoid already had an injury, exacerbated during the first round of the Premier League by Gualin’s mindless collision.
In yesterday’s game, Iwobi crashed into it again.
Iwobi aimed for a foul-driven collision with Tang Long, determined to knock him off balance and prevent a direct threat to the goal, cutting off the pass to Agüero.
Initially, Tang Long, wearing the [Gualin’s shin guards], had his physical strength increased by 20%, and not only did he remain unscathed, but he sent Iwobi flying, leaving him baffled.
However, when the match ended and he removed the shin guards, his strength returned to normal, and the impact Iwobi had imposed on Tang Long’s shoulder magnified instantly, leaving him in pain.
So before training the next day, Tang Long asked assistant coach Rein for time off and headed to the therapy room to seek Gracie’s treatment.
Tang Long asked Gracie if she saw yesterday’s match, and Gracie said she did.
"I saw you were so fierce, even sent that Black opponent flying, thought you were okay, turns out you were just pretending." Gracie scoffed.
Tang Long couldn’t explain the whole story, so he simply changed the subject.
"Did you watch it on TV live?"
"Of course, London is too far, I don’t have time to go."
"Then you must not know what happened afterward."
Tang Long started sharing the post-match stories with Gracie.
Initially, after Manchester City’s celebration was over, the disappointed Arsenal players got back on their feet.
Though the atmosphere wasn’t exactly friendly, it wasn’t hostile either.
After all, Arsenal and Manchester City are not local rivals, and historically, there hasn’t been much bad blood.
Being defeated at the last moment happens once or twice a season; despite feeling awful, players are used to it, knowing it’s part of football where anything can happen until the final whistle.
Players from both teams had already started shaking hands.
Iwobi, who had been knocked over by Tang Long, even ran over to ask for his jersey.
But the problem lay between the two team coaches.
Professor Wenger was enraged!
After experiencing 11 dark years without a league champion, Arsenal’s opening three consecutive wins kindled Wenger’s ambition, hoping for the Premier League title.
The night before the match, Wenger had a dream.
In his dream, he met God.
He asked God what results Arsenal could achieve this season.
God said they could finish in the top four.
Wenger asked for precision, asking if they could win first place!
God said he’d guarantee Wenger one more league champion before he retired from Arsenal.
Wenger was unsatisfied with the answer, saying that he was already 66 years old, unsure whether he’d retire the next year, the year after, or five years later; he needed a definite answer.
Seeing Wenger’s unwillingness to relent, God pondered for a long time and then slowly said, "If you beat Manchester City, securing four consecutive wins, you’ve got a 95% chance to win this season’s Premier League championship!"
Wenger sprang up with a start from his dream!
Claiming victory against Manchester City, securing the fourth Premier League title for Arsenal, then retiring honorably at 67, enjoying life with his grandchildren, free from weekly matches’ grind and the chaotic British media ~
This thought brought a smile to Wenger’s lips.
The dream God promised him must be true!
Success or failure rested on the match tomorrow!
With that thought, sleep dissipated, he got out of bed, turned on the computer, continued studying tomorrow’s tactics in his pajamas...
With the opening moves unexpectedly beating Manchester City, the team led 1-0 over Manchester City for over 80 minutes.
Wenger was convinced he had seen the 2015-2016 Premier League championship trophy easing its way into the Emirates Stadium!
He was already envisioning himself, surrounded by the entire team, under the cheers of 60,000 loyal fans, amidst fireworks and champagne, proudly hoisting the trophy!
"Professor Wenger, you are our eternal father!"
Though heaven blesses such beauty, Tang Long seemed to have other thoughts and disagreed.
With two stunning shots, he forcefully snatched away three points from Arsenal!
The Premier League champion trophy, set to land on the Emirates Stadium’s turf, was kicked away by Tang Long!
With such emotional journey, how could Wenger not be furious?
He initially refused Pellegrini’s handshake request, then accused saying that your team’s Ranocchia is a deceitful player, diving, and claimed the referee missed a penalty for Arsenal as Ranocchia’s pull on Giroud in the box was surely a penalty!