From Arsenal, Forge the Path to Football God

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August 15th, Post-match Recovery Training Day.

"Here we go!"

"Be careful... Hahaha!"

In the morning, the rare sound of laughter and joy filled the training ground.

The Sheffield United players, having secured their first win of the season, were in high spirits, playing some circle training games and having fun.

After the training session, Maël stayed behind, preparing to start his extra practice.

His thighs and body still felt slightly sore, a result of the intense match from the previous day.

However, it wasn't a significant issue. The next round of the league was still a while away, so he could start with two days of low-intensity 'Step Over' training and then focus on strength training once his body recovered.

"Let's check the proficiency of the two main skills."

He brought up the Skill Proficiency Panel and took a look, noting that the concentrated training had yielded good results.

[Skill: Muscularity Level 2]

[Proficiency: (731/800)]

[Skill: Step Over Level 1]

[Proficiency: 89/100]

"Step Over can break through to Level 2 today. If I push a bit more on strength training, I might reach Level 3 before the next match."

Maël's expression relaxed. Each time he checked the Skill Proficiency Panel, it gave him a great sense of accomplishment and motivation.

There were still seven days until the next match, so he needed to intensify his training!

Once Step Over reached Level 2, he could start using it in matches, perhaps catching opponents off guard occasionally.

Otherwise, always dribbling in the same way would become predictable and easier to defend against.

As for reaching Level 3 in strength, this would be the biggest improvement since he activated the panel.

Physical and Mental Skills, which start with higher initial proficiency, require more effort but also offer greater rewards!

A strong physique would mitigate many of his weaknesses, raising his performance floor and, indirectly, his ceiling.

After experiencing an English Football League (EFL) Championship match, Maël had a deeper understanding of the level of players in the league.

He was very clear that, with Level 3 strength, he would be considered one of the stronger players in the EFL Championship.

Even if he wasn't the best, he would certainly be well-known—"Sheffield United has a Very Strong Young Winger, on loan from Arsenal."

"Clap, clap, clap"

After setting up the cones and discs, Maël started his training, his outside foot constantly touching the ball, his body moving left and right, laying a solid foundation for future upgrades.

Improving proficiency isn't just about the final big boost; the daily incremental progress is equally important.

Based on this incremental progress, the final qualitative leap will come!

Time ticked by, and sweat gradually soaked his jersey, making it stick to his body. Fatigue set in, compounding and even multiplying the tiredness from the previous day.

His brain kept trying to persuade him to stop.

"You just played a match and got two assists. You can enjoy the glamorous life of a star player. Taking a day off won't hurt."

"No, keep going!"

Maël shook his head to clear the sweat and pushed away the distracting thoughts, firming his resolve.

It's not easy to form a habit, but it's very easy to give up. If he compromised now, he would compromise more in the future.

That's definitely not what he wanted.

Think about those grand stadiums, the fans waiting to shower you with flowers and applause, and then continue to work hard behind the scenes, improving yourself!

After more than two hours, when he was completely exhausted, he ended his training and went to the side of the field to stretch.

[Skill: Step Over Feint Level 2]

[Proficiency: (7/300)]

[Effect: Your Step Over is gradually becoming more deceptive, occasionally fooling opponents and completing breakthroughs, but it's still far from mastery. You yearn for another upgrade.]

The initial improvement in dribbling skills was quite fast.

Once strength reaches Level 3, he could focus on upgrading this skill to Level 3 by the end of the month, which shouldn't be too difficult!

"Let's check the observation skill."

Maël remembered something and brought up the panel again, checking the proficiency of the Observation Skill.

[Skill: Observation Level 1]

[Proficiency: (89/300)]

Before the match yesterday, his observation proficiency was around fifty points, thanks to his daily video analysis.

He didn't expect that one EFL Championship match would boost it by about thirty points.

It seems that the higher the level of the match, the greater the improvement in the Observation Skill!

After stretching, Maël returned the ball to the equipment room and went to the gym to find Gilbert, who had just finished his strength training.

Not for any other reason, but mainly because Gilbert still owed him a meal, the best kind.

In the evening, the Sheffield City Center was bustling and lively.

Maël and Gilbert chatted and laughed as they walked into a high-end barbecue restaurant, calling Johansson on the way.

They had initially planned to invite Gary Speed, but Johansson vetoed the idea.

It seemed inappropriate for players to have a private dinner with the head coach during the season, especially for a barbecue, which might make Gary Speed uncomfortable.

"I've been training with you every day and have developed my own improvement plan and theory, which has become a habit."

As soon as they sat down, Gilbert looked around with a smile, clearly enjoying being out, "But what I enjoy most is when we go out shopping and relax. The烟火气 of life fascinates me."

Maël felt the same way and nodded, "That's because our training is too intense and monotonous. If we went out every day, we probably wouldn't be so fascinated."

"Indeed, the feeling comes from the contrast."

Gilbert agreed, pursing his lips and putting on a serious face, "But as you said, to shine in front of others, you must endure the pain."

"Did I say that?"

Maël had forgotten, but it might have been something he said when his brain was fuzzy from training, though it was a true sentiment.

As they waited for Johansson, they noticed that many tables with more male diners were frequently glancing their way, sometimes pointing and whispering.

"It's them, no doubt. The two who had a stunning debut yesterday."

"Only seventeen years old, from Arsenal. I heard they are the two kids Wenger favors the most."

"I heard one is the new Fabregas, and the other is the new Thierry Henry."

"Is that so? Don't spread rumors."

"Really! Wenger told my friend personally, and my friend told me. He's also a Sheffield United fan."

Listening to the increasingly exaggerated rumors, Maël felt the harm of gossip for the first time. It was indeed getting more and more out of hand.

However, when he and Gilbert exchanged glances, they both saw a hint of enjoyment in each other's eyes. They subconsciously put on a more dignified demeanor and tone.

Gilbert picked up the menu, pretending to adjust a non-existent bow tie, and said solemnly, "I think we should order some beef and fish to ensure a sufficient intake of protein."

Maël was trying not to laugh when he saw a figure approaching, looking at Gilbert with a puzzled expression.

It was Johansson, who had just arrived.

He approached, furrowing his brow and blinking, clearly confused, feeling that the two of them had some strange quirk, "Do you usually talk like this in private?"

"Hahaha" Maël burst out laughing, almost falling over.

Gilbert's face turned red, and he awkwardly put down the menu.

The three of them then ordered their food, getting a bottle of wine for Johansson, and they sat down to enjoy their meal, warming up the atmosphere.

"Let's all take in some protein."

Johansson picked up a piece of lamb leg, as if determined to stick with this way of speaking, "Make sure it's sufficient."

Maël laughed while tearing into his food, while Gilbert found it hard to swallow anything and turned to drink juice instead.

"Alright."

After a few bites, Johansson picked up his glass of ice, smiling, "I still need to thank you two. The victory this weekend was crucial, a morale-boosting match.

"Your contributions are obvious. One of you provided two assists, and the other scored a goal, combining for two goals and earning us this meal."

Maël and Gilbert, not drinking, raised their glasses of juice to clink with Johansson, exchanging polite words.

"It's our duty."

"Mr. Johansson, there's no need for such formality."

Johansson shook his head, picking up the lamb leg again with a smile, "Of course, the most important thing is the protein. It's the crystallization of your contributions on the field."

"Haha..." This time, all three of them burst out laughing, even Gilbert putting aside his dignity and joining in the fun.

After a satisfying meal, the three of them talked about recent interesting events and feelings, laughing and occasionally sharing a few sighs.

The dream-like recent days, through these relaxed conversations, truly became a part of their past.

Now, it's time to look forward.