Arsenal's Top-Tier Draw, Fabregas's Little Schemes

Right now, Arsenal's squad on paper definitely can't match Real Madrid.

Plus, Wenger's cup competition ability is no match for Mourinho's.

When they actually face off, Li Yufei would have to go all out with cheats just to have a chance at winning.

This Real Madrid isn't even afraid of peak FC Barcelona's Possession Control, let alone Arsenal.

Though he knew full well how strong this Real Madrid was, Li Yufei wasn't about to back down.

He had to build absolute confidence within the team.

Because this Arsenal, having gone so long without a major title, lacked that "me against the world" belief from top to bottom.

In short, they had no championship culture.

What Li Yufei needed to do now was establish that culture.

The solution to a lack of championship culture was simple: win titles, win titles, and win more damn titles!

Once you've won enough, it naturally takes root.

From a squad perspective, winning a title was indeed tough for Arsenal right now.

But Li Yufei wasn't worried at all, because when it mattered, he'd step up.

That said, the prerequisite was that his teammates also had the ambition to fight for the championship.

Otherwise, relying on him alone couldn't win a football match involving eleven players.

On the TV screen, the Champions League group stage draw continued.

Tottenham Hotspur and defending champions Inter Milan were placed in Group A, along with Werder Bremen and Twente.

Schalke 04, Lyon, Benfica, and Hapoel Tel Aviv were grouped in B.

Manchester United, Valencia, Rangers, and Bursaspor were together in Group C.

This season's top Champions League favorite, Dream Team III FC Barcelona, was drawn with Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan, and Panathinaikos in Group D.

Aside from Barcelona, the other three teams weren't from the top five leagues.

It was basically a free pass for Barcelona—they could even field their Substitute Lineup and still breeze through as Group leader.

The gap was just too huge.

As for Group E, the four teams were Bayern Munich, Roma, Basel, and CFR Cluj.

Group F had Chelsea, Marseille, Spartak Moscow, and Zilina.

The most explosive group, G, featured Real Madrid, AC Milan, Ajax, and Auxerre.

Real Madrid had won 9 Champions League titles in history, AC Milan had 7, and Ajax had 4.

Those three clubs combined for a total of 20 Champions League Titles!

A true Group of Death, living up to its name.

As for Auxerre, they could only tremble in that group, playing the role of also-rans.

Finally, Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga, and Partizan Belgrade were drawn with Arsenal in Group H.

With that, the Champions League group stage draw officially concluded.

How to put it? Arsenal's draw was pretty good too.

Of the three group opponents, only Shakhtar Donetsk posed any real threat to Arsenal.

Li Yufei clearly noticed that once Arsenal's draw was announced.

Wilshere, Fabregas, and the others visibly relaxed.

"Alright, guys, the Champions League group stage opponents are out. Any problems?"

Hearing Li Yufei's words, Fabregas nodded, indicating no issues.

No kidding—if he had problems with these nobodies, he might as well go home, wash up, and hit the sack.

Forget football, seriously.

"Hey, bro, I heard the boss is making some signings these days. Got any inside info?"

Wilshere suddenly sidled up to Li Yufei, sneaking around to fish for gossip.

Seeing Wilshere's slightly nervous look, Li Yufei guessed what was on his mind.

He was worried the new signings might take his spot.

After all, Wilshere hadn't even locked down a starting role yet. If someone in his position came in, wouldn't it seriously cut into his playing time?

Li Yufei shook his head with a smile and gave him some reassurance. "Relax, bro. The new players won't threaten your spot. Just focus on doing what you need to do."

Li Yufei wasn't lying with that statement.

After all, whether it was Hazard, Griezmann, Matuidi, or Varane.

None of them conflicted with Wilshere's position.

Even Griezmann, who was also an attacking Midfielder, was mostly playing as a forward or second striker at this stage.

The midfield core who would later help France win the World Cup hasn't evolved yet.

At least at this point in time, Griezmann still can't play the attacking midfielder role well.

As for Matuidi, a pure workhorse midfielder, he conflicts even less with Wilshere.

After getting Li Yufei's assurance, Wilshere couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

As long as the new arrivals didn't clash with his position, it didn't matter.

Fabregas overheard Li Yufei and Wilshere discussing transfers and drifted over to listen.

To be honest, ever since Henry left for Barcelona, Arsenal's squad had never satisfied him.

He wanted to make his mark at Arsenal, but he needed help.

The current Arsenal lineup simply couldn't support his ambitions.

That was why the thought of "going home" had crossed his mind.

But if Arsenal strengthened, he might reconsider.

Staying to become an Arsenal legend wasn't out of the question.

With that in mind, Fabregas leaned in to catch a few words.

He knew that given Li Yufei's status, he was bound to have a say in transfers.

At the very least, he'd have first-hand knowledge.

Even if Wenger didn't say anything, Arsenal's higher-ups would inform him.

After all, Li Yufei was the major shareholder's son—these executives were just employees working for his father.

How could an employee refuse the boss's son's requests?

But when Fabregas heard the names Li Yufei rattled off, a faint disappointment crept into his heart.

He'd never heard of any of them!

Who were Hazard, Varane, Matuidi, and Griezmann?

A moment's thought told Fabregas these were more lottery tickets the Professor had scraped up from who knows where.

He himself had once been one of the Professor's chosen lottery tickets.

Only his ticket had paid out.

But Fabregas knew well that most of Arsenal's lottery tickets over the years hadn't.

If lottery tickets were that easy to cash in, other clubs would just buy cheap tickets too—why splash out on big-name stars?

With that thought, the hope that had just risen in Fabregas's heart fizzled out.

"I was too naive. After all this time at Arsenal, haven't I figured out this club's transfer philosophy yet?"

"Being stingy is Arsenal's norm. I was hoping for too much."

A single transfer rumor had Arsenal's players all thinking different things.

That was the instability of this Arsenal side.

Even if Li Yufei knew this, he could only pretend not to—after all, without winning a major trophy, talking was useless.