Chapter Summaries

After Arsenal advanced in the FA Cup, Wenger weighed the club’s four-front campaign as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain pursued Maël. In the EFL Cup semifinal first leg at Anfield, Liverpool led 2–0 before Maël scored a spectacular solo goal to make it 2–1 and preserve Arsenal’s hopes.

• Wenger admitted Arsenal could not realistically contend for titles on four fronts and said the Premier League and EFL Cup were their immediate priorities.
• Maël was named to the Puskas Award shortlist, and Harry, Safina, José, and Davis returned to his mansion before he invited them to Zurich for the awards ceremony.
• Real Madrid offered £48 million for Maël, while Paris Saint-Germain approached Arsenal’s majority shareholder with a potential nine-figure euro bid; Wenger urged the club to reward Maël and protect their relationship with him.
• Liverpool defended intensely at Anfield, and Arsenal lost Vermaelen to injury before Koscielny conceded a penalty that Gerrard converted to give Liverpool a first-half lead.
• Gerrard scored again in the 51st minute, putting Liverpool 2–0 ahead, before Maël beat several defenders with a solo run and scored to make it 2–1.
• Maël celebrated his goal and urged Arsenal to restart quickly, keeping their hopes alive in the semifinal tie.

Maël helped Arsenal draw 2–2 away to Liverpool in the EFL Cup semifinal first leg, then prepared for and attended the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich. The chapter ended with him entering the ceremony as He Wei quoted a poem about his growing fame.

• Maël beat Liverpool’s defenders with a solo run, then drew six players away before Van Persie headed in Arsenal’s 2–2 equalizer.
• Wenger replaced Maël with Henry, and Arsenal held on to finish the first leg level with two away goals.
• Wenger learned Arsenal had no money to sign another center-back, while Maël called Kyle Walker and urged him to join Arsenal.
• Maël struggled to find suitable formalwear, so Isabella took him to a tailor’s shop and helped him choose a dark-red suit; they kissed before he left for Zurich.
• Maël arrived at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, signed autographs, greeted football stars, and took his seat as He Wei praised his rising reputation.

Maël attended the 2011 Ballon d'Or Awards Ceremony and won the Puskas Award for his long-distance goal, claiming his second major award of the year. His former teammates, coaches, and friends celebrated his victory as he looked ahead to pursuing more honors.

• Maël greeted Neymar and Robert Baggio at the ceremony before Gullit opened the event.
• Arsenal’s First Team and U19 players, Maël’s former Sheffield United teammates, and Isabella and Aisha watched the ceremony from elsewhere.
• The ceremony announced the 2011 FIFA Best 11 and other awards while Maël waited for the Puskas Award presentation.
• Sánchez announced Maël as the Puskas Award winner, and Maël accepted the trophy and spoke of continuing to pursue football honors.
• Neymar congratulated Maël, while his friends and former teammates celebrated his victory and Gareth Speed called him their pride.

Maël won the Puskas Award and finished tenth in the 2011 Ballon d'Or ranking, then returned to Arsenal and rescued their unbeaten run with a stoppage-time equalizer against Swansea. The chapter left Arsenal's title hopes alive as Maël celebrated his dramatic goal with his teammates.

• Maël won the Puskas Award, and Wenger offered Hans a chance to pursue his UEFA Pro Licence and join Arsenal's First Team coaching staff.
• Messi won his third consecutive Ballon d'Or, while Maël ranked tenth and exchanged contact details with Florentino.
• Maël returned to Arsenal ahead of the Swansea match, where Sagna's illness forced Wenger to field Mikel at right back.
• Van Persie scored from Maël's cross, but Swansea equalized from a penalty and took a 2-1 lead through Nathan Dyer before Walcott made it 2-2.
• Swansea went ahead again through Graham, and Maël headed in Koscielny's knockback during stoppage time to secure a 3-3 draw and preserve Arsenal's unbeaten run.

Arsenal drew with Swansea, then advanced in the FA Cup with a comeback win over Aston Villa as the injury-hit team prepared for decisive matches against Liverpool and Manchester United. Maël learned that Facebook wanted to acquire Instagram, helped Isabella’s friend’s suit shop, and scored in Arsenal’s EFL Cup semifinal against Liverpool before Wenger was sent off.

• Maël and Van Persie discussed Arsenal’s injury problems after the team drew with Swansea and kept its unbeaten run intact.
• Ferguson and Mancini assessed Arsenal’s form and planned for the title race, while Arsenal later came back from 2–0 down to beat Aston Villa 3–2 and reach the FA Cup fifth round.
• Kevin Systrom told Maël that Facebook had offered $1.5 billion for Instagram; Systrom wanted to sell, but Maël chose to keep his shares for now.
• Maël visited Isabella’s friend Aisha’s suit shop, posed for photos, and offered to promote the shop without charging an advertising fee.
• Wenger named Arsenal’s lineup and urged the team to reach the EFL Cup final as Arsenal faced Liverpool in the semifinal second leg.
• Maël scored after Van Persie’s shot rebounded into his path, but the referee ruled him offside; Wenger protested, received a red card, and went to watch from the stands.

Arsenal came from behind to beat Liverpool 3–2 and advance to the EFL Cup final at Wembley, with Maël scoring a spectacular equalizer and Alexandre Song netting the winner. Maël signed a new Arsenal contract, and Wenger brought him to Highbury to explain the club’s financial struggles and share his memories, leaving Maël resolved to stay and build a future with the team.

• Suárez put Liverpool ahead, but Maël equalized with a long-range strike just before halftime, restoring Arsenal’s aggregate lead on away goals.
• Maël later assisted Walcott’s goal, Liverpool’s Kuyt equalized, and Alexandre Song scored the late winner as Arsenal won 3–2 and advanced 5–4 on aggregate to face Cardiff City in the EFL Cup final.
• Wenger waited anxiously through the closing minutes in an equipment room until Philip told him Arsenal had won, then celebrated with him and the returning players.
• Maël continued training, discussed Kyle Walker’s possible move to Arsenal, and agreed to a new contract worth £145,000 a week with a £5 million signing fee and the Number 7 Jersey.
• Wenger drove Maël to Highbury, showed him the old stadium and photographs, and explained how the stadium debt and shareholder deadlock had left him trying to keep Arsenal competitive with little money.
• Maël promised Wenger he would stay until they achieved success together, then signed the contract at Highbury and became Arsenal’s second captain.

Maël helped launch Football Record’s programs, secured a Puma Collaboration Shoes deal, and watched Arsenal announce Kyle Walker’s signing before facing Manchester United. In the opening minutes of the clash, Maël worked hard in defense, drew two yellow cards with a determined run, and earned Arsenal a promising free kick.

• Maël agreed with Peter to share 40% of Arsenal’s program profits with Wenger and the participating players, and they planned the first episodes.
• Orto offered Maël a Puma Collaboration Shoes series and a choice of royalties, and Maël chose 12% of total sales.
• Wenger announced at an emergency press conference that Kyle Walker had joined Arsenal, prompting furious reactions from Tottenham fans.
• Arsenal hosted Manchester United, whose five-at-the-back formation sought to contain Maël and pressure Arsenal’s defense.
• Maël tracked back to help Gibbs, then surged forward and drew yellow cards for Giggs and Phil Jones before earning a free kick near the box.

Maël scored a spectacular outside-of-the-foot free kick and defended tirelessly as Arsenal beat Manchester United 1–0, extending their lead at the top of the table to four points. The victory ended a difficult January, and Maël broke the single-match distance-covered record as Arsenal celebrated their title prospects.

• Maël curled a free kick around Manchester United's wall and scored Arsenal's only goal, then celebrated with a dance in front of the home fans.
• Maël repeatedly tracked back to contain Valencia and Manchester United's attacks while Ferguson instructed his players to target his flank and exhaust him.
• Maël kept defending and attacking deep into the second half, helped Arsenal preserve their lead, and broke the distance-covered record with 16,203 meters.
• Arsenal defeated Manchester United 1–0, and Wenger found that Maël had also set a new high-intensity running record.
• Ferguson said Manchester United had lost to a ghost, while post-match reports praised Maël's goal, performance, and records.

Maël’s viral celebration and Arsenal’s new media columns boosted his fame and earned the club substantial subscription revenue, while he and Davis weighed which competitions the team should prioritize. Arsenal then beat Bolton Wanderers 3–0 and Blackburn Rovers 7–0, with Maël reaching 40-plus Premier League goal contributions and completing an assist hat-trick; the chapter left Arsenal riding a three-match winning streak and aiming for the month’s titles.

• Arsenal fans and celebrities spread Maël’s celebration across social media, making him popular beyond football.
• Maël and Davis discussed Arsenal’s crowded February schedule and favored prioritizing the Premier League and EFL Cup while Maël remained willing to pursue every competition.
• Wenger and Mendes appeared in Maël’s debut column episode, and Maël and Kyle Walker featured in Arsenal’s column; the two programs quickly attracted nearly 80,000 subscribers and generated over £1.28 million.
• Arsenal beat Bolton Wanderers 3–0, with Henry scoring and Van Persie netting twice; Maël entered late after discussing the need for regular medical care with Philip.
• Arsenal defeated Blackburn Rovers 7–0, as Maël provided two assists before scoring to reach 40-plus goal contributions, then added a third assist for Van Persie to complete an assist hat-trick.

After Manchester United dropped points and Manchester City moved into second place, Maël prepared for the North London Derby by confirming his excellent physical condition and welcoming four fans he had promised to host. In a rain-soaked, increasingly violent match, Arsenal took a two-goal lead through Van Persie and Maël.

• Manchester United drew 3–3 with Chelsea, while Manchester City beat Fulham 3–0 and climbed to second place behind Arsenal.
• Maël hired Lewis as his private doctor, and Lewis found his body exceptionally healthy with almost no signs of wear or hidden injuries.
• Before the derby, Maël welcomed David, Chloe, the old man, and the little boy to Emirates Stadium, praised Chloe’s drawing, and promised to perform a celebration for them if he scored.
• Tottenham and Arsenal players repeatedly clashed in the rain, and Maël delivered an outswinging free kick that Van Persie headed in for Arsenal’s opening goal.
• After more fouls and a brawl, Maël charged into the penalty area and headed Walcott’s cross past Friedel to make it 2–0.

Maël led Arsenal to a 4–0 derby victory over Tottenham, reaching twenty league wins as his performances drove up the club’s player values and attracted widespread attention. After the match, Usmanov and Kroenke separately asked Wenger to broker renewed takeover negotiations, and Wenger agreed to help Arsenal despite wanting to refuse them.

• Maël scored a powerful header against Tottenham, celebrated with his teammates, and left Ledley King injured as Tottenham fell two goals behind before halftime.
• Danny Rose struggled to contain Maël after replacing the injured King, then injured himself with a sliding tackle as Arsenal scored through Walcott and Alexandre Song to win 4–0.
• Arsenal celebrated four consecutive league wins, twenty victories overall, and a run of fifteen goals with only one conceded; Maël visited Chloe, David, and the blind boy after the match and gave the boy his shirt.
• Transfermarkt raised Maël’s value to 70 million euros, ranking him fifth worldwide, while Arsenal’s total squad value climbed to 375 million euros.
• Usmanov and Kroenke each asked Philip to have Wenger broker renewed takeover negotiations, and Wenger agreed to work toward a deal for Arsenal.

Maël helped Arsenal streamline their schedule while preparing for the EFL Cup final, rejected Facebook’s offer to buy his Instagram shares, and scored after 7.6 seconds against AC Milan in the Champions League. Arsenal left the match leading 1–0, and Maël set a new record for the fastest goal in Champions League history.

• Maël celebrated his rising form with Davis, then shared a meal with Gilbert and Isabella, who planned a London Eye trip with him if Arsenal won the EFL Cup.
• Arsenal beat Sunderland 2–1 through goals from Ramsey and Van Persie, while Wenger decided to prioritize the EFL Cup final and Premier League title race over other competitions.
• Maël raised Fancy Breakthrough to level 3 during training, improving his agility and control while dribbling.
• Maël rejected Facebook’s negotiators and refused to sell his 10% stake in Instagram; Arsenal then lost 2–0 to Sunderland and exited the FA Cup.
• Wenger told Arsenal to limit their Champions League effort against AC Milan to protect their preparations for the EFL Cup final.
• Maël and Arteta executed a kickoff routine against AC Milan, and Maël scored after 7.6 seconds to set the fastest-goal record in Champions League history.

Arsenal lost 5–2 to AC Milan in the Champions League, then turned their attention to the EFL Cup final against Cardiff City at Wembley. Arsenal took an early lead through Van Persie after Maël’s quick free kick set up the attack, and the final continued with Arsenal ahead 1–0.

• Wenger and Henry discussed Arsenal’s hopes of winning the league unbeaten and reviving the club’s title-winning legacy.
• Robinho scored twice and Ibrahimović and Seedorf added goals as AC Milan beat Arsenal 5–2, despite Maël scoring twice.
• Wenger rallied Arsenal to focus on the EFL Cup final and their Premier League campaign, while the team prepared to face Cardiff City at Wembley.
• Arsenal arrived at Wembley amid support from their fans, and both teams entered the stadium for the final.
• Cardiff City pressed Arsenal aggressively, but Maël won a quick free kick and sent the ball forward to Gervinho, who set up Arteta’s shot.
• Heaton parried Arteta’s long-range effort, and Van Persie scored from the rebound to give Arsenal a 1–0 lead.

Arsenal defeated Cardiff City 4–1 in the EFL Cup final, with Maël scoring a hat-trick to secure the trophy and earn Finals Best Player. After seven years without a trophy, Wenger and the team celebrated their first title of the season as Maël turned his attention to pursuing the Premier League unbeaten.

• Van Persie scored from a rebound after Maël’s quick free kick helped create Arsenal’s early attack, giving Arsenal a 1–0 lead.
• Maël dribbled past Cardiff City defenders and curled a shot into the far corner to make it 2–0.
• Joe Mason scored for Cardiff City after his shot deflected off Koscielny, making the halftime score 2–1.
• Maël scored again with a curled shot in the 64th minute, restoring Arsenal’s two-goal lead at 3–1.
• Maël fooled Heaton with a free kick in the 87th minute to complete his hat-trick and put Arsenal ahead 4–1.
• The referee ended the match without stoppage time, and Arsenal celebrated winning the EFL Cup as Maël reflected on the first step toward his Grand Slam.

After Arsenal beat Cardiff City 4-1 to win the EFL Cup, Maël collected the competition’s top scorer and Finals Best Player awards before lifting the trophy with Van Persie. He celebrated with Wenger, his teammates, and his friends, leaving Wembley with a classic photo commemorating his first top-level title.

• Arsenal defeated Cardiff City 4-1, with Maël scoring a hat-trick, and the Cardiff fans applauded their team despite the loss.
• Wenger and Maël recalled Maël’s debut and spoke about winning more trophies together as the players lined up for the ceremony.
• David Dein presented Maël with the EFL Cup top scorer award for his eight goals and the Finals Best Player award.
• Van Persie invited Maël to lift the Carling Cup with him, and the Arsenal players celebrated as they raised it together before tossing Wenger into the air.
• Maël sprayed champagne over the team, then brought Isabella and his friends onto the pitch to celebrate and pose for photos with the trophy.
• A Times reporter photographed Maël and his friends at Wembley, capturing a scene remembered as a classic image from the start of Maël’s career.

After Arsenal won the League Cup, Maël celebrated the opening of his honor exhibition hall with family and friends, then made his relationship with Isabella official during a London Eye date. In March, he planned to intensify his training, received his second Premier League Player of the Month award, and prepared to push Arsenal toward the league title.

• Maël celebrated Arsenal’s League Cup victory and the completion of his honor exhibition hall with his family and friends.
• Maël and Isabella visited the London Eye, where Maël agreed that she was his girlfriend.
• Maël reviewed his skill progress and asked Davis to design a more intense training schedule for the remaining Premier League matches.
• Maël received his second Monthly Best trophy before Arsenal’s match against Everton and hoped the team would extend its lead in the title race.

Maël reached 30 Premier League goals in Arsenal’s 3–0 win over Aston Villa, matching Arsenal’s single-season record as the title race intensified. Afterward, Mendes arranged a wave of endorsement and advertising deals for Maël, who also considered buying a club and negotiating for Facebook shares.

• Maël scored his 28th league goal as Arsenal beat Everton 2–0, while Manchester City and Manchester United also won their matches.
• Maël scored twice against Aston Villa, reaching 30 league goals in 28 rounds and equaling Henry’s Arsenal record as Arsenal won 3–0.
• Mendes told Maël that four endorsement deals and eleven social media ads would bring him nearly £7 million after tax, with further bonuses available.
• Maël chose two-year endorsement contracts, planned to schedule the advertising shoots around his football commitments, and asked Mendes to find a club he could buy.
• Maël learned that Cristiano earned more than twice his endorsement income and discussed creating a personal brand and revising his Puma contract’s non-compete clause.
• Maël agreed in principle to Facebook’s stock offer but asked Mendes to wait so he could negotiate for a higher price.

Maël scored a stoppage-time winner against Sheffield United to give Arsenal an eighth straight home win and move into joint third on the Premier League single-season scoring list. As Manchester United and Manchester City were eliminated from European competitions and Arsenal exited the Champions League, the three clubs turned their focus to the Premier League title race.

• Maël’s Pepe Jeans shoot drew attention from supermodels, but he refused their requests for his contact information and left after the shoot.
• Arsenal watched Manchester City come from behind to beat Chelsea 2–1, then Wenger urged his players to focus on their own remaining league matches.
• Maël volleyed home in stoppage time against Sheffield United, securing a 1–0 win and his 31st Premier League goal as Arsenal stayed top of the table.
• Manchester United lost 6–2 on aggregate to Athletic Bilbao, while Manchester City were eliminated by Sporting CP; both clubs were left with only the Premier League to pursue.
• Arsenal beat AC Milan 2–1 in the Champions League second leg but lost 6–4 on aggregate, and Maël said Arsenal’s goal was to win the Premier League unbeaten.

Maël scored twice against Liverpool to equal the Premier League single-season scoring record, while Arsenal moved on from a 2–2 draw with Newcastle and remained top of the title race. The chapter ended with Maël celebrating his 34th goal and aiming to break the record and win the title.

• Maël completed the first stage of filming his Pepsi commercial, signed the endorsement deal, and continued his intensive training and recovery routine.
• Arsenal drew 2–2 with Newcastle after Van Persie and Maël scored, but Demba Ba equalized in stoppage time when Alexandre Song deflected his shot into the net.
• Manchester City came back from 3–1 down to beat Sunderland 4–3, while Manchester United thrashed Wolves, tightening the title race behind Arsenal.
• Arsenal took an early lead against Liverpool when Maël set up Walcott and then scored, and Van Persie made it 2–0 before halftime.
• Liverpool's Kuyt scored early in the second half, but Maël finished a loose ball from a corner to score his 34th Premier League goal and equal the single-season scoring record.

Arsenal beat Liverpool 3–1, then watched Manchester United draw with Fulham and Manchester City lose to Swansea, opening an eight-point lead at the top. As April began, Maël upgraded his heading skill to level four and reviewed his progress toward future skill upgrades.

• Maël celebrated Arsenal’s 3–1 win over Liverpool with his teammates and planned a group cowboy-style celebration for when he scored his thirty-fifth goal.
• Maël and Arteta watched Fulham equalize against Manchester United and Swansea score a late winner against Manchester City.
• Arsenal’s players and fans celebrated as the results left Arsenal first with 81 points, eight ahead of Manchester City and nine ahead of Manchester United despite having played one more match.
• Mancini blamed the referee after Manchester City’s loss, while Jones celebrated the fortune he had made betting on Maël’s success.
• Maël completed his March with 34 Premier League goals, and Arsenal finished the month unbeaten in five wins and a draw.
• Maël trained headers with José on April 1, upgraded High-Altitude Bombardment to level four, and checked his progress toward level five skills.