Chapter Summaries

Wenger shifted Arsenal’s tactics to free Maël on the left, and Maël powered Arsenal from 1–2 down to a 4–2 lead over Chelsea. The chapter ended with Maël scoring a spectacular acrobatic goal after Alexandre Song’s pass.

• Wenger moved Arsenal’s attacking focus left and arranged for Maël and Ramsey to exchange positions, with Arteta and Alexandre Song providing cover.
• Abramovich and Mendes discussed Maël’s potential and Abramovich’s willingness to offer him a record-breaking contract as the second half began.
• Maël repeatedly threatened Chelsea’s defense, and Sagna scored from Alexandre Song’s long pass to level the match at 2–2.
• Maël muscled past Ivanović and Terry before volleying Van Persie’s chipped pass into the net to give Arsenal a 3–2 lead.
• In the 81st minute, Maël met Alexandre Song’s overhit pass with a running hook shot and scored to make it 4–2.

Arsenal defeated Chelsea 5–3 to complete a perfect October, with Maël scoring twice and winning the Premier League Monthly Best Player award. After Gareth Speed praised Maël on television, Maël found himself and Gilbert on the Golden Boy shortlist and set his sights on the December ceremony.

• Maël scored an acrobatic second goal, but Chelsea’s Mata struck back before Van Persie made it 5–3; Chelsea manager Boas fainted on the touchline as the match ended.
• Arsenal celebrated its perfect October, and Mr. Wenger told Philip that he felt hopeful about the team’s revival.
• Maël accepted the Premier League Monthly Best Player trophy and answered reporters’ questions at the press conference.
• Gareth Speed and Alan Shearer discussed Maël’s goals on BBC, with Gareth praising his growth and recalling coaching him at Sheffield United.
• Maël reviewed Tuttosport’s Golden Boy shortlist with Davis, Harry, and Safina, celebrated Gilbert’s 16th-place ranking, and found his own name tied for first.
• Maël set a goal of performing well in November and collecting the Golden Boy Award in December.

Maël trained toward higher skill levels and chose Long Shot as his first lv5 goal while José questioned whether Maël feared being alone. After Maël scored a last-minute winner against Marseille, Deschamps decided to take the French national-team job and demanded absolute authority.

• Maël reviewed his approaching Ball Control and Rhythm upgrades, then decided to train Long Shot to lv5 before turning to other skills.
• José told Maël that he seemed afraid of being alone, but Maël dismissed the idea and changed the subject to his possible national-team call-up.
• Arsenal brought Maël on late against Marseille, and he scored a powerful long-range winner after Azpilicueta tackled him and the referee ignored his complaint.
• Deschamps received a red card after Marseille players protested the goal, then called to say he wanted to take the French national-team job before the next National Team Match Day.
• Van Persie praised Maël at the post-match press conference, saying Maël's individual ability gave the team more than he took from its attack.

Arsenal beat West Brom 3–0, and Maël learned that Didier Deschamps had called him up to the French national team. At Carrow Road, Norwich fans welcomed their old friend Maël, but Arsenal eventually won 2–1 after he set up Van Persie’s late winner.

• Maël helped Arsenal defeat West Brom 3–0, then learned Deschamps had included him in France’s training squad.
• Norwich fans welcomed Maël at Carrow Road because his goal had helped them earn promotion the previous season, and both teams’ supporters sang his song together.
• Maël scored in the eighth minute to give Arsenal a 1–0 lead, but Steve Morrison equalized for Norwich in the 57th minute.
• In the 87th minute, Maël sent a pass through the legs of Norton and Hoolahan, and Van Persie scored to put Arsenal ahead 2–1.
• Arsenal won, and Norwich fans applauded Maël as he gave his shirt to a supporter and waved goodbye.

Maël joined the French Team’s training camp under Deschamps and earned the starting Inside Forward spot for the upcoming friendly against Belgium. His market value rose to 45 million euros, and he upgraded Ball Control into Dribbling before his national-team debut.

• Maël arrived at Clairefontaine, met the French Team players, and listened as Deschamps outlined his plans and 4-2-3-1 formation.
• Maël trained with the squad, impressed teammates with his finishing and physical ability, and drew criticism from Evra for practicing after training.
• Maël learned his market value had risen to 45 million euros, while Ribery and Evra reacted uneasily to his growing status.
• Maël upgraded Ball Control to Dribbling, gaining the ability to take the ball past defenders.
• Deschamps named Maël the starting left Inside Forward against Belgium, ahead of Ribery, and Maël obtained a media pass for someone he wanted at the match.

Maël made his France National Team debut against Belgium and struggled to get the ball as teammates ignored his runs. He scored twice in the final minutes of the first half, leaving Deschamps determined to clear obstacles for him at halftime.

• Deschamps gave Maël the number 11 jersey and started him against Belgium, where Maël saw familiar stars and met his club teammate Vermaelen before kickoff.
• Mbappé told Emilia that Maël was the kind of player he could try to become, while José and Davis arrived to watch Maël’s national team debut.
• France created early chances, but Ribery repeatedly ignored Maël’s runs, and Deschamps urged him to pass as Maël grew frustrated.
• After Koscielny cleared a Belgian corner, Maël sprinted forward, beat Vermaelen and Courtois, and scored his first goal for France.
• In stoppage time, Maël nutmegged Alderweireld, dribbled past Van Buyten and Vermaelen, and scored again to put France two goals ahead.

Maël scored a hat-trick and assisted another goal as France defeated Belgium 5–3, while Ribery left the training camp after Deschamps announced major substitutions. The fallout over Ribery’s departure and his later criticism of Maël escalated until Deschamps called a press conference with Maël.

• At halftime, Deschamps announced that Mene, Valbuena, Clichy, and Giroud would replace Ribery, Nasri, Evra, and Benzema, and Ribery left Clairefontaine Base by taxi.
• Belgium scored through Hazard, but Maël assisted Mene’s goal to restore France’s two-goal lead.
• Hazard hit the post on a counterattack, and Maël then set up Giroud’s header before scoring his third goal with a low free kick under the wall.
• France won 5–3 after Fellaini and Witsel scored for Belgium and Giroud added another goal; Maël was named man of the match and later met young fans including Mbappé.
• News reports and fan debates focused on Ribery’s departure and Maël’s performance, and Ribery posted a criticism of Maël before deleting it ten minutes later.
• Deschamps held an urgent press conference and brought Maël with him to respond to Ribery’s remarks.

Deschamps publicly declared that he would exclude Ribery from the French Team, while Maël defended his own ambitions and returned to Arsenal amid growing attention. As Arsenal’s season continued, Maël received lucrative endorsement offers, but the team struggled against Fulham and fell behind after Vermaelen scored an own goal.

• Deschamps said players who did not help the French Team would not be called up, and Maël said he intended to win every title while distancing himself from Ribery.
• The dispute spread among French, Bayern, and Arsenal fans, while Barcelona and Real Madrid players discussed Maël’s ability and potential.
• Maël returned to Arsenal, where Wenger and his teammates welcomed him; he added four photos from his France debut to his Photo Wall and watched Arsenal lose 1–3 to Dortmund with the starters rested.
• Mendes told Maël that Lay’s Chips and Mengniu Company had offered him paid social media posts and were negotiating spokesperson deals.
• Arsenal hosted Fulham with their main lineup, but Fulham disrupted their play and Vermaelen scored an own goal in the 66th minute, putting Arsenal behind.

Maël assisted Vermaelen’s stoppage-time equalizer against Fulham, preserving Arsenal’s unbeaten run after a tense match. After the draw, Jones planned to time another Golden Boot bet, while Maël celebrated new sponsorship income by giving his team generous gifts.

• Arsenal fans worried as Fulham’s deep defense kept Maël and his teammates from scoring, and Wenger sent the defenders forward for a last attack.
• Maël crossed into the crowded penalty area, where Vermaelen headed the ball past Schwarzer to make it 1–1 and preserve Arsenal’s unbeaten record.
• Arsenal celebrated the equalizer, and Maël was named man of the match at the post-game press conference as Wenger praised the team’s 33 points from thirteen rounds.
• Jones explained his plan to buy Maël’s Golden Boot odds at a better price after studying Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures.
• Maël and his team celebrated £204,000 in promotional income, and Maël gave each of his four team members a pair of rings and a £25,000 bonus.

Arsenal faced Manchester City in the EFL Cup quarterfinal, where Maël scored a spectacular solo goal to put Arsenal ahead. Balotelli came on hoping to challenge him, but Maël repeatedly outplayed him, leaving Balotelli embarrassed as Arsenal held their lead.

• Maël played in Arsenal’s rotated lineup against Manchester City and injured Kolarov while dribbling past him.
• Mancini sent on Agüero, who threatened Arsenal with a shot that Szczęsny saved.
• Maël sprinted past Manchester City’s defenders and scored with a curled shot, giving Arsenal a 1–0 lead.
• Wenger sent on Van Persie and Mertesacker in the second half as Arsenal looked to secure the win.
• Balotelli came on and Maël nutmegged him, outran him, and shielded the ball from him near the byline.
• Balotelli exposed the words on his chest after lifting his shirt, then wondered why he was always the one being embarrassed.

Maël scored a late goal as Arsenal beat Manchester City 2–0 to reach the EFL Cup semifinals, and the press built momentum behind his Golden Boy Award candidacy. He began training Fancy Footwork and heading, then looked ahead to Arsenal’s crowded December schedule, new endorsements, and a possible future as a football club owner.

• Maël scored Arsenal’s second goal in stoppage time, completing his brace and securing a 2–0 win over Manchester City as Arsenal advanced to the EFL Cup semifinals.
• Wenger, Mancini, Agüero, Balotelli, Gareth Speed, Gilbert, Klopp, and Götze spoke about the Golden Boy Award as Maël’s statistics and candidacy dominated media coverage.
• Maël trained Fancy Footwork and heading with José at home, reviewed his skill proficiency, and planned to focus on raising Long Shot and developing his new abilities.
• Arsenal rested Maël against Wigan Athletic and won 4–0, with goals from Alexandre Song, Vermaelen, Gervinho, and Van Persie; Wenger then gave Maël time off before the Champions League match.
• Maël signed endorsement deals with Tsingtao Beer and Lay’s Chips, discussed his finances with Mendes, and said he might buy a lower-division football club in the future.

Maël was shortlisted for the 2011 Ballon d'Or and developed his Fancy Dribbling skill enough to unlock an additional skill. He then scored twice in Arsenal’s 3–0 win over Everton, while Jones’s latest all-in bet on Maël appeared to pay off.

• Arsenal lost 3–0 to Olympiacos with a rotated squad but advanced from the Champions League group as leaders.
• Maël learned he had made the Ballon d'Or shortlist, celebrated with Safina and his friends, and planned to attend the ceremony in Zurich.
• At training, Maël raised his Heading and Fancy Dribbling skills and unlocked the additional skill Fancy Skills.
• Jones wagered £4,000 on Maël winning the Golden Boot, then celebrated as Maël scored twice in the opening two minutes against Everton.
• Van Persie scored from Maël’s cross in the 88th minute, sealing Arsenal’s 3–0 victory and their 12th league win of the season.

Maël trained his Volley and outside-of-the-foot shots to lv4, then helped Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2–1 and learned that his Football Record column had gained thousands of subscribers. Before Arsenal’s match against Manchester City, he won the 2011 Golden Boy Award and stepped onto the pitch ready to make his first appearance as the new Golden Boy.

• Maël leveled up Volley Blast and Outside-of-the-Foot Curved Blade to lv4 during the break before Arsenal’s match against Aston Villa.
• Maël scored with a tight-angle outside-of-the-foot shot as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2–1, then thanked David and Chloe and accepted Chloe’s drawing.
• Maël learned that Football Record had reached 31,000 subscribers, and he proposed an Arsenal interview column to Peter and Emilia.
• Maël waited for the Golden Boy Award announcement while Arsenal prepared to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
• Koscielny announced that Maël had won the 2011 Golden Boy Award, and Arsenal and Manchester City players congratulated him in the tunnel.
• Maël entered the stadium to cheers from Arsenal supporters, ready to make his first appearance as the Golden Boy.

On the day Maël won the 2011 European Golden Boy Award, he helped Arsenal fight back against Manchester City after falling behind. His goal and assist put Arsenal ahead 2–1, while Mancini prepared an aggressive late response.

• Maël was celebrated by fans and players before Arsenal’s match against Manchester City began.
• Manchester City pressured Arsenal early, and David Silva opened the scoring with a shot past Szczęsny.
• Maël assisted Van Persie’s first-half equalizer with a left-footed pass behind Manchester City’s defense.
• Maël scored a spectacular airborne volley from Walcott’s cross to give Arsenal a 2–1 lead.
• Mancini sent Džeko and Johnson to warm up and ordered Manchester City to prepare for an aggressive late push.

Maël scored twice, including a remarkable long-range lob, as Arsenal defeated Manchester City 3–1. He then traveled to Turin, where he accepted the Golden Boy Award trophy and discussed his ambitions in an exclusive interview.

• Emilia and Peter published reports about Maël’s performance, and Mendes proposed filming an interview documentary that followed Maël from Manchester to the Golden Boy Awards in Turin.
• Maël intercepted Kompany’s header and scored a stunning long-range lob, completing his brace and giving Arsenal a 3–1 win over Manchester City.
• After the match, Maël agreed to travel to Turin, exchanged shirts with Agüero, and joined Emilia’s documentary interview on the way to the airport.
• During the interview, Maël described his goals for the season, including challenging scoring records and winning trophies, and said he wanted a companion who could comfort him.
• In Turin, Maël reunited with his uncle and aunt, met Tuttosport editor-in-chief Vaciago, and unveiled and lifted the Golden Boy Award trophy.

After winning the Golden Boy Award, Maël drew global attention, planned an exhibition of his honors, and spent Christmas with family and Arsenal. The chapter ended with Wenger telling Maël he would become Arsenal’s second captain, and Maël asking for the Number 7 jersey.

• Football Record’s interview with Maël went viral, and the outlet announced two new football programs that attracted a surge of followers.
• In Turin, Maël discussed opening an honor exhibition room, and Mendes offered to cover the storefront rent.
• Maël returned to London, checked that his savings had reached £4,631,233.31, and placed his Golden Boy trophy in his home Hall of Fame.
• Fabregas and Iniesta felt unsettled by Maël’s performances, while Messi acknowledged pressure and Ronaldo praised Maël while declaring his own scoring ambitions.
• Maël spent Christmas Eve with his uncle and aunt, then trained alone on Christmas Day and raised Improvisation to level four.
• At Arsenal’s Christmas dinner, Wenger told Maël he planned to make him second captain, and Maël requested the Number 7 jersey.

Arsenal defeated Wolves 4–2 as Maël debuted his new Rhythm Dribbling ability with a decisive run that set up Arshavin’s second goal. After celebrating the win and hearing Wenger’s plan to break Arsenal’s wage structure to keep him, Maël reunited with Isabella and returned to Sheffield ahead of Arsenal’s final match of the first half of the season.

• Maël showed the Golden Boy Award trophy to the Emirates Stadium crowd before watching Van Persie and Gervinho put Arsenal two goals ahead of Wolves.
• Wolves narrowed the score to 2–1, but Arshavin scored and assisted before Stephen Hunt made it 3–2, prompting Wenger to send Maël on for Walcott.
• Maël used Rhythm Dribbling to beat several Wolves defenders and set up Arshavin, who scored his second goal as Arsenal won 4–2.
• Wenger told Philip he intended to use transfer funds to buy a center forward and break Arsenal’s wage structure, while fans at Jones’s pub celebrated Jones’s All-In betting antics.
• Isabella visited Maël at home in London, drank and played games with him, and invited him to call whenever he felt lonely.
• Maël returned to Sheffield with Arsenal, greeted familiar Sheffield United fans, and reflected on his memories there before the match at Bramall Lane.

Maël returned to Bramall Lane as Arsenal faced Sheffield United in the final match of the Premier League’s first half, while Arshavin played what appeared to be his Arsenal farewell. Arsenal led 4–0 after Maël scored from Arshavin’s assist, leaving both players to savor a memorable moment with their former and current supporters.

• Sheffield United fans and Maël’s former teammates welcomed him back to Bramall Lane before the match.
• Wenger spoke with Gilbert about strengthening his defensive game so he could earn a place back at Arsenal and protect Maël.
• Maël broke through Sheffield United’s defense to set up Ramsey’s opening goal, and Van Persie and Arteta made it 3–0 before halftime.
• Wenger brought Arshavin on for the second half, and Arsenal fans honored him with chants and farewell banners.
• Arshavin assisted Maël, who turned past Lotton and scored Arsenal’s fourth goal; Sheffield United fans applauded Maël as Arshavin revealed a farewell message to Arsenal.

Maël scored a spectacular solo goal from more than seventy meters as Arsenal beat Sheffield United 5–0 to finish the first half of the Premier League season unbeaten. After celebrating the halfway title with his teammates and old friends, Arsenal began looking ahead to the second half of the season.

• After Mertesacker cleared a Sheffield United corner, Maël collected the ball near his own penalty area and dribbled past the opposing players on a run of more than seventy meters.
• Maël entered the penalty area and scored to make it 5–0, prompting Arsenal’s players, coaches, and fans to celebrate while Sheffield United’s players lamented their failure to stop him.
• The referee ended the match, and Maël thanked both Arsenal and Sheffield United supporters as Arsenal finished the halfway stage with 16 wins, 3 draws, and 51 points.
• Arsenal celebrated their unbeaten halfway title in the dressing room, where Gilbert joined the players’ dancing and Maël hoped his friend could return at the end of the season.
• Maël led Arsenal to Kodall’s pub, where the team celebrated with food and drinks before leaving late that night and singing on the bus back.

Arsenal opened the winter window with Wenger planning signings and contract talks while Maël improved his heading and stamina. After Arsenal drew with Fulham, Henry returned, scored the winner against Leeds United, and entrusted Maël with his unfinished Champions League ambition.

• Wenger planned to pursue Kyle Walker, negotiate renewals with Van Persie and Alexandre Song, and use Maël’s image rights as leverage in talks over Maël’s contract.
• Maël practiced headers with Alexandre Song and raised Heading Power to lv3, then raised Iron Lungs to lv4 during a run.
• Arsenal took the lead against Fulham through Koscielny, but Djourou was sent off and Maël scored before Zamora equalized in stoppage time for a 2–2 draw.
• Arsenal said goodbye to Arshavin and Chamakh, then welcomed Thierry Henry back to the club on loan.
• Henry came off the bench against Leeds United and scored the winning goal, then told Maël to lead Arsenal to the Champions League and acknowledged that doing so would surpass him.