My light shines on Arsenal

Chapter 100 The Long Farewell (End)
New Wembley, Media Centre.

Reporters were sitting in the hall, whispering about the game that had just ended.

They are waiting for the Arsenal manager and they have a lot of questions to ask.

Wenger opened the door and walked in. Many reporters who knew him clapped their hands and applauded to congratulate him.

Sitting on the stage, holding the microphone in front of him, Wenger smiled and said: "Thank you everyone, I am very happy to win the FA Cup. But before you ask questions, I want to say one thing first."

The reporters were eager to raise their hands, but after hearing this, they all lowered their arms and looked at the stage intently.

"I...will not renew my contract with the team after this season."

Wenger still had a smile on his face, but the reporters in the audience froze like sculptures.

what?
What does it mean?
After the first reporter reacted, the sound of typing on the keyboard sounded like a storm. This is bigger news than Arsenal winning the championship!

Is Arsene Wenger going to retire after six years without a title?

Was his departure planned long ago, or was it a temporary intention?

Will Wenger step away from the club completely or stay at the club?

Who will take over his mantle?

While typing on the keyboard, the reporters desperately raised their hands high, and the press officer next to him was sweating profusely to maintain order, but in fact, he was also shocked.

Wenger waved his hand to signal the reporters to quiet down. After the turmoil in the hall subsided, Wenger said calmly: "This is my decision, and it has been understood and blessed by the board of directors."

"I am very pleased to be able to leave the last trophy for Arsenal, but I feel that the team has reached a new stage and there should be a more suitable person to lead it to new heights."

"I will always love this team, and I will provide this team with all the help I can."

He paused and felt that his speech should clarify something. Then Wenger casually nodded to a reporter and said, "Sir, please ask a question."

……

The news of Wenger's departure became the biggest news after the FA Cup, and this news even surpassed the Premier League finale and the Champions League finale.

Manchester City staged a miracle of a countdown lore. Aguero's goal at the last minute helped Manchester City overtake Manchester United and win the 2011-12 Premier League championship.

Arsenal finished third in the league, one point behind Tottenham, and also beat Tottenham again in the FA Cup.

That was thankful, as Chelsea's surprise Champions League triumph knocked fourth-placed Tottenham out of the competition.

Harry Redknapp announced his resignation after the end of the league, and the coaches of the rivals in North London both left the team, but Wenger seemed more like a retired team, while Redknapp seemed to leave the team sadly.

The Arsenal club has fallen into a strange tranquility. The departure of the coach who has been in charge of the team for 16 years has brought a lot of work to a standstill in a short period of time.

Many players are already packing up and preparing to leave, including Andrei Arshavin, who performed brilliantly in the FA Cup final.

However, the former "tsar" of Li Zhinian finally decided to return to his hometown. After his contract with Arsenal expired, the two sides terminated the contract amicably, and Arshavin also got a good free agent by virtue of his many wonderful performances this season. contract.

This is the No.1 player who is determined to leave the team, but it is not the last player.

The distracted Robin van Persie won the honor of the Premier League Golden Boot as he wished, but whether Arsenal's results can satisfy him, Van Persie kept secret.

His contract renewal negotiations with Arsenal have also reached a stalemate, and his attitude has been vague.

The 29-year-old top shooter is an embarrassing existence. Many teams are interested in him, but they are worried about his declining condition.

Robin van Persie's fate also affects Arsenal's summer transfer window operations.

In addition, players such as Julu and Jenkinson completely fell out of the rotation in the latter part of the season. They also understand that they will not stay in Arsenal for a long time.

But these things were put on hold, and in the early summer before July, the entire team chose to enjoy a rare holiday in peace.

Chen Yao did not go on vacation. He returned to the venue where he was the coach of the youth team and played a children's PK game with his old partner John.

The children on the field laughed and played football. For them, a long season has come to an end. They have all grown a year old. Some of them will enter the next echelon, and some of them will face the fate of a fork.

"Look there." John raised his chin, and the direction he indicated was the exit of the venue.

"What's wrong?" Chen Yao asked.

"Remember a year ago? You went out through that opening."

"That time Mr. Wenger called me?"

"That's right. It's been a year in the blink of an eye."

John sighed with emotion and then asked: "Chen, do you know who the next head coach of Arsenal is?"

Chen Yao shrugged, expressing that he didn't know either.

"Oh, it doesn't matter, don't worry, your performance is outstanding, you will continue to stay in the first team." John said with relief, "I just don't want to see someone take over this position, like Mourinho or something. "

"John, Mourinho is also a great coach."

"But he's not the right fit - this team needs someone who understands its culture to take over."

Chen Yao nodded. He knew that his name was definitely the first on the current head coach candidate list, and Wenger would not deceive himself.

But before the dust settled, he was also a little apprehensive.

The final decision rests with the board of directors, can he get enough support and trust?
He raised his head and looked at the velvety blue sky, and another interface slowly emerged.

Long time no see, so I'm still a jerk.he thought.

The interface is a little different. Instead of a property panel, the first thing that appears is a timeline.

The timeline lists the iconic events he has done this season, and here is a one-page season summary:

【Dawn 1.0】

Welcome to "Dawn" virtual reality interactive system.

Season summary:

2011.07 You became the first team coach of Arsenal
You led the introduction of players Verratti, Jorginho, Carvajal

2011.08 You introduced player Zaha
2011.09 You won your first victory

……

2012.03 You led the team to reverse AC Milan and reproduce the "Miracle of Riazor"

2012.05 You assisted the head coach to win the FA Cup
Chen Yao glanced to the end, the interface gradually faded, and another panel was displayed immediately.

Basic Information:

Name: Chen Yao
Born: 1985

Rating: 42
Reputation: little famous

……

Attributes:
Offensive Drills: B+
Defensive drill: B-
Physical training: C+
Technical Training: C+
Tactical Training: A-
……

Judgment of player ability: B+
Judgment of player potential: A-
Tactical Knowledge: A-
……

badge:

【Guide】(Silver)

Description: You will be an excellent leader and lead players to grow.Users with this badge can teach students knowledge in a simple and easy-to-understand manner, so that students can learn better.

Effect: The students who accept your guidance will have a +100% comprehension efficiency of the knowledge you impart and a +50% growth rate
[Personality Charm] (Bronze)

Description: This personality charm always makes you so charming.

Effect: The first impression of strangers on you is +10%, the effect of improving your relationship with others is increased by 15%, and your persuasiveness to others is increased by 15%.
[Professional Coach] (Bronze)

Description: Wake up, coaching is your business now

Effect: Full training ability value +10, learning efficiency +5%, training effect +15%
[Logical Thinking] (Bronze)

Description: Use your intelligence to analyze and deduce the world. "

Effect: Stimulate your logical thinking potential, improve reasoning, analysis, deduction and other abilities
……

Afterwards, Chen Yao saw that in his "badge display cabinet", the badges engraved with exquisite patterns shone with light. After the light faded, they looked even more gorgeous.

This is probably a reward after the end of a season.

The quality of each badge has been raised by a level. Now, his [Guide] has reached the gold level, and several other badges have also reached the silver level.

This means that they can give themselves more powerful buffs, making themselves smarter and quicker in thinking. More importantly, under their guidance, the growth rate of young players will nearly double.

What impact will this have?

That is, it is entirely possible for him to lead a group of 23-year-old boys and play football that they can only play when they reach their peak around 28 years old.

Moreover, even young players who have just arrived can quickly adapt to the Premier League environment and new tactics under his guidance.

After the attribute panel and badge display panel disappeared, a scene that surprised him appeared.

A line of words appeared in his vision:

[Dawn 1.0] The system is being updated, please look forward to the new version features.

Immediately, his vision lit up, and all the system panels disappeared without a trace, and the blue sky and white clouds of Islington were still in his eyes.

"Falke... [-] vs. [-]? Can you lose so much when you're joking?"

John's snarls could be faintly heard in his ears, Chen Yao was startled, and his fingers brushed the turf under his feet, the touch was very real.

Is all this true...

……

A few days later, the entire Arsenal team took part in the FA Cup victory celebration parade.

As a traditional and ancient event, the weight of the FA Cup is not light.

There are only so many championship trophies in English football a year, and winning the FA Cup has every reason for a club to celebrate.

The bus carrying the Arsenal generals drove through the streets of North London surrounded by Gunners fans. Thousands of fans took to the streets to celebrate with their favorite club.

At the same time, it was a celebration with a different meaning: the news of Wenger's departure was officially announced, and this was the last chance for fans to formally say goodbye.

Major British media also paid great attention to this championship parade. Because of the dual hot spots of celebration and farewell, reporters carried balloons, ribbons, and salutes all over the sky and crowded into Arsenal players and fans to interview them for their opinions.

"Arsene is a legend, he is the reason I am here. I wish Arsene the best for the future, he deserves any accolades," Arteta said.

"I am forever grateful to Mr. Wenger for his trust in me. I am very happy that I can make up for my mistakes. He is like a father, always caring and tolerant of each of us." Koscielny wiped away tears.

"Arsene is great, without him I would not be where I am today... Well, I am very grateful to him..." Van Persie had a complicated expression when he said this.

"Arsene? He is a great person. Without Arsene, the club would not be what it is today." Chen Yao said, "He taught me a lot, what? Arsene's future? I heard that Mr. Hillwood is about to retire , why not let Arsene replace him?"

Seeing the seriousness of the reporter, Chen Yao hastily added: "The pronunciation of Arsena and Arsenal are so similar, so it's understandable to think so."

The reporters looked amused, and he realized that his words might not be interpreted as a joke.

But what does it matter?

It was a day of celebration, and this episode was quickly forgotten.

Some of the fans were holding cell phones and microphones, asking the fans around them.

The black fat man has been wandering outside the Emirates Stadium for a season, and finally, he has a certain number of fans.

However, the way he started may be a bit disgraceful. He often chooses fans who seem to be simple-minded and emotional, constantly induces their emotions with words, and then uses this to gain traffic.

To Fatty's dismay, Wenger ended his Gunners career with a championship.

This shows that he can no longer gain traffic by inducing fans' dissatisfaction with Wenger.

But it doesn't matter, Fatty cheers himself up, he will find a new coach next, and the team needs to be replaced, this process will not be smooth.

He has plenty of opportunities.

Thinking of this, the fat man squeezed out a smile, and smiled generously at the camera: "Fans, this is AFTV, I'm Robbie Lyle, and I'm right here at the team's celebration..."

……

Kearney Base, early June.

Andrei Arshavin was wearing a backpack and a Bluetooth headset, listening to music.

As a melancholic and artistic middle-aged man, Arshavin listened to Carpenter's "Yesterday Again".

Arriving outside Wenger's office door, he hesitated and knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

Arshavin pushed the door open, slightly surprised that he was not the only one in the office, besides Wenger, Chen Yao and Pat Rice were there.

"Hi, coaches." Arshavin nodded politely, and took off the earphones from his ears.

Carpenter's singing stopped abruptly.

"I'm here to say goodbye to you."

Arshavin scratched his head and hesitated to say any more words.

"I came to say goodbye too." Pat Rice smiled, pointing to a bag of things on the wall. "Arsena gave me some souvenirs. I will miss this place."

"I'm also saying goodbye." Wenger repeated Pat's words, which created a special sense of joy, and everyone in the office laughed.

After the laughter subsided, there was a faintly sad calm.

Wenger caressed his desk, which was very clean, and all the documents, books, pens, and teacups in the weekdays were cleaned up.

His eyes turned to the family portrait of "The Invincible Master" on the wall. The sun shone into the room and hit the photo, just illuminating his face in the center of the picture.

"I have never regretted bringing you to England, Andre," Wenger said to Arshavin. "I regret not letting you achieve higher success here."

Arshavin lowered his head in embarrassment, "Sir, it's not your fault... I, I am not a very self-disciplined person either... You are too tolerant."

"Good luck for your future, Andrei."

"All the best to you too, sir. And, well, to Arsenal."

"Blessings to Arsenal."

Arshavin couldn't stand the atmosphere anymore, his sentimental cells made him close to tears.

He quickly smiled at everyone, turned around and opened the door and rushed out.

Arshavin, who ran down the stairs, put the headphones back into his ears, and Carpenter started singing again.

When I was young
when i was young

I'd listen to the radio
i like listening to the radio

Waiting for my favorite songs
waiting for my favorite song

When they played I'd sing along
I'll sing along when they play

It made me smile
makes me smile
……

Winger packed up the last Norah Jones record and stuffed it into his handbag.

Pat Rice smiled emotionally: "This is the last one."

"The last one."

Wenger stepped forward and gave the old assistant a gentle hug.

Pat Rice picked up his bag, pushed open the door, and took a last look at Wenger's office.

"I'm going to miss my time here."

He closed the door, and 48 years of gunman time faded away at his feet.

Those were such happy times
what a happy time

And not so long ago
not long ago
How I wondered where they'd gone
how i want to know where they go

But they're back again
But they're back
Just like a long-lost friend
like a long lost friend
All the songs I love so well
I still love those songs
……

"I'm leaving too."

Wenger finally stroked the photo of "The Invincible", which was the golden age in his mind.

He reluctantly wanted to stay a little longer, but finally shook his head and gave up the idea.

Chen Yao stood quietly aside.

Wenger didn't say anything else. He was so familiar with every plant and tree here, and he didn't want to say any more words of farewell.

Everything that should be said has already been said, and everything that remains is unspoken.

Time to leave.

Wenger picked up the handbag containing his last personal belongings, patted Chen Yao on the shoulder, pushed open the door, and walked out of the office.

The door creaked, Chen Yao looked around the empty office, only the early summer cicadas were in the air.

Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Sha-la-la-la
Every Wo-o-wo-o
Every wo-o-wo-o
Still shines
still shining
……

Carpenter was still singing, but the song wasn't just in Arshavin's headphones. It was accompanying everyone who left Kearney.

Every step they take is so reluctant to leave, and the intertwined years are like a passing cloud.

And this world is the same as before.

Chen Yao sat on the seat that used to be Wenger's and took out a book from his arms.

UEFA Professional Coaching Certificate.

The cover of the certificate is shining in the sun.

He turned his chair around and looked out of the huge French windows. The sky in Islington was blue and the sun was just right.

(End of this volume)

(End of this chapter)