GRANDMAESTA_30
patreon
Chapter 30: Good First Impressions
🕑 Added 2025-05-14 15:18:07 +0000 UTCAs the goalless game wound on, Henry's appearance on the sidelines sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Even though Kai was warming beside him, the fans instinctively focused all their attention on Henry.
But in the East, the reaction was just as intense.
“Thirty-three-year-old Henry returns to the Emirates Stadium, wearing the number 12 shirt once again! After three years, he'll don the red and white for Arsenal.” the commentator announced.
In China, Zhan Jun explained to the audience, “We must keep an eye on the young man next to Henry—Kai. The 17-year-old Chinese midfielder, valued at €800,000, has joined Arsenal from Sporting Club de Portugal in this summer transfer window.”
Zhang Lu chimed in with a note of emotion, “Since Guo Liang’s departure, it's been a long time since we’ve seen a Chinese player step into the Premier League. This is something worth celebrating.”
Though the broadcast camera didn’t linger long on Kai, that didn’t stop the internet from erupting in discussion.
Zhan Jun and Zhang Lu glanced at the stream of comments and started discussing again.
“Arsenal has kept information on Kai pretty tight,” said Zhan Jun. “But from what the production team gathered, he mostly played as a centre-back and at times a DM at Sporting Lisbon. He’s known for his defensive qualities. With Alexander Song underperforming, this was his chance to make an early debut.”
Zhang Lu nodded. “True. It’s not the easiest stage to debut, but let’s hope he makes it count.”
Both commentators could feel the rising anticipation, shared by Premier League fans here.
In Ligue 1, Wang Yi had made waves with a 15-goal season, bringing tears of joy to Chinese fans. Fernando Kairui was holding his own in La Liga with Atletico Madrid’s defense. But when it came to the Premier League—the league with the most attention—Chinese players had long been absent.
Guo Liang and others had been forced to leave. For fans of English football in China, that absence had left a void.
Now, Kai’s sudden arrival had somewhat reignited their hopes.
If they could just see him play even as a substitute—week in, week out—they’d be thrilled.
...
Down on the pitch, Kai and Henry had already been subbed in.
Kai didn’t even bother to high-five Alexander Song, not that Song seemed interested.
As soon as he stepped onto the pitch, the roar of the stadium hit him like a wave.
He knew the cheers were for Henry, not him. Yet, looking at Henry’s back—still wearing that iconic No. 12—Kai couldn’t help but admire him.
In that moment, something clicked in his mind.
A jersey number doesn’t give you glory. But a person can give meaning to a number.
Kai jogged toward his midfield position.
Arteta was the first to approach.
With a smile, he said, “Hope it’s a memorable debut.”
“Thanks,” Kai replied with a grin.
Kai bumped fists with him and added, “Just push forward, I’ll be right behind.”
Arteta chuckled and returned the gesture.
Soon after, he went straight to Koscielny.
“When we’re defending, don’t rush in. Ramsey and I’ll go in first and contain him. If we can't hold, we double up,” Kai explained.
Koscielny wiped the sweat from his brow and nodded. “Got it. Don’t push too far up, though—our back line is already stretched.”
Kai chuckled to himself. Clearly, Koscielny was fed up with Song’s defensive lapses, too.
Then he turned his attention to Townsend—the opposition’s main threat.
A strong, bearded winger, around 180cm tall.
Kai had been observing him even before entering the match. Compared to Arsenal’s forwards, Townsend wasn’t particularly outstanding. Song should’ve handled him with ease—if only his mindset wasn't so offensively driven, leaving behind gaps.
Mindset matters. When it was synced with the team's, it can lead to a performance dip or disjointed formation.
That’s likely why the professor made the change.
Townsend had been tormenting Arsenal’s back line. Now, it was Kai’s job to shut him down.
“Alright, guys! Let’s get the win!” Henry shouted, now wearing the captain’s armband again.
That short, sharp call boosted the team’s morale.
Kai could feel the renewed hunger in his teammates’ eyes. They were locked onto Leeds’ goal like predators.
In the stands, Zheng Xin nearly jumped up.
“He’s playing?”
He scrambled to open his notebook, eager to start writing..
Meanwhile, the Billy family beside him was already cheering.
“Go on, Kai!”
“Don’t let him boss you around!”
Billy’s shouts were deafening, but on the field, Kai couldn’t hear a thing.
He was already dialed into the match.
The game resumed.
Leeds United took a throw-in from the left flank, right near the center circle. One good pass could threaten the penalty area.
Kai scanned the field and edged toward the middle.
Leeds midfielder Vayrynen launched the ball to their no.10 Becchio, who quickly redirected it to Townsend.
Townsend, eager to repeat his earlier success, tried to burst down the wing.
But before he could even take off, Kai appeared in his path.
The sudden presence caused him to stop.
Seeing that it was the Arsenal's debut signing, he chose to break through.
With a swipe of his left foot, he tried to blow past him with speed.
The distance was small enough for Townsend speed not to matter, so Kai moved in instantly—his toe poking the ball away cleanly.
A clean interception right at the start.
Kai trained with Walcott every day. Compared to Theo’s explosive pace, this guy was a snail. Plus, he had faced his fair share of pacey forwards in Liga Portugal to be bypassed by a Championship player.
Kai glanced up and immediately passed to the approaching Arteta.
Arteta relayed it fast—Arsenal launched a swift counter.
“Leeds United was setting up the throw-in,” Zhan Jun narrated. “Becchio passed to Townsend, who tried to break through... but here comes Kai! He’s signaling for the full-back not to step up. What now? He goes in—clean steal! Quick pass to Arteta, who sends it to Arshavin, then Ramsey—Ramsey finds Henry!”
“Henry shoots! Ahhh—just wide! That was close!” Zhan Jun exclaimed.
Zhang Lu refocused. “Kai’s interception was excellent—he timed it perfectly with Townsend’s change in rhythm.”
“And there’s another detail,” he added. “Kai didn’t pass immediately. He looked up first to scan for his options. That shows confidence—he only did that because he was sure he could execute. Otherwise, it’s risky.”
Although Zhang Lu didn’t have stats to back it up, Kai’s impact was obvious.
The crowd, once full of grumbles and complaints, had come alive.
Cheers erupted around the Emirates.
On the sidelines, Wenger gave a small nod.
Kai’s debut had not disappointed.
Compared to 33-year-old Henry, his attention was on Kai.
After the first steal, Kai took command of the midfield area, directing his teammates.
“Fall back! Reset!” he shouted. “Attack’s over, get back now!”
Standing at the center circle, he barked instructions while waving his arms like a field general.
Whether it was his budding leadership or the heat of the moment, he was leading the defensive coordination.
The Arsenal players—many still reeling from Henry’s missed chance—exchanged looks and scrambled back.
He was right. The attack had ended. Time to defend.
Even Henry turned to look at Kai.
I hope my hunch comes true, he thought.
The match had now become a tug-of-war.
Both sides wanted a goal.
But while Arsenal’s offense flowed, Leeds kept hitting a wall.
Townsend, previously dangerous, now struggled.
He was repeatedly shut down in midfield and around the box.
The reason?
Number 4.
Kai was everywhere—intercepting, tackling, double-teaming. His presence alone was disruptive.
Townsend tried different moves, but every attempt failed.
Frustrated, he started playing rough.
In the 43rd minute, Leeds attempted another long ball into Arsenal’s half.
Kai and Townsend reached the drop point simultaneously, and the two collided.
The first clash—both took a half-step back.
Surprise from Townsend.
This kid’s tougher than he looks.
Then came the second collision.
This time, Kai stood his ground.
He muscled Townsend off the ball, ignored the shoves from behind, and planted his feet into the grass pitch for anchorage.
Eyes on the descending ball, he timed his jump perfectly—and sent it cleanly across to Ramsey.
