After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

This comes after Wenger's previous accusation that left the entire Arsenal board speechless and ultimately forced them to walk out.

The pressure truly fell on the shoulders of Gazidis, Kroenke, and CFO Hoss, among others.

Their shame at Wenger was transformed into a kind of do-or-die motivation.

In the two weeks following this meeting, they had only one goal:

While complying with the Premier League's Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules, efforts will be made to open up as many funding sources as possible for the upcoming summer transfer window, especially for Yan Yuan's transfer fee exceeding 100 million euros.

The scale of this effort is unprecedented in the past few years.

The main changes are that Arsenal cancelled some signings that were originally planned for the summer transfer window, while also having some sponsors pay in advance, and even made contingency plans to offload some high-salary but underperforming players in the summer transfer window.

Furthermore, they told Wenger that if they succeeded in finishing in the top four this season, the loan obtained by pledging their Champions League qualification would also be used to sign Yan Yuan.

All things considered, Arsenal has a considerable amount of money available during the summer transfer window.

When this brief report was delivered to Wenger's desk, the old man looked at the key data points and progress listed on it and remained silent for a long time.

He took off his glasses, rubbed his temples, and finally let out a long breath.

Although the target amount was huge and difficult, the determination and execution shown by the management team finally gave this 69-year-old veteran coach a long-awaited glimmer of hope.

The club seems to finally be willing to pay the price and put in the effort to achieve competitive success.

"So many years have passed..." Wenger murmured with a sigh.

……

In the Bundesliga, Hoffenheim continued their hot streak. In the next round, they hosted Hannover 96 at home. The team was in high spirits and ultimately won 4-1.

Yan Yuan contributed a goal and two assists in the match, showcasing his talent.

Following their away game against Hertha Berlin, Hoffenheim once again demonstrated their strength, securing a clean 3-0 victory and taking all three points.

Although Yan Yuan did not score in this match, he once again provided a precise assist.

These two victories have solidified Hoffenheim's position in the standings, while Yan Yuan's consistently strong and even improving performance has drawn even more attention from the European football community.

So far this season, whether in the domestic league, the German Cup, or the star-studded Champions League, Yan Yuan's name has never disappeared from the list of key contributors whenever he plays.

He remains at the top of both the Bundesliga and Champions League scoring charts.

Those previous criticisms that his double top scorer title was "inflated" have now completely disappeared.

Yan Yuan silenced everyone with a series of solid, efficient, and even decisive performances.

The next round is the Champions League knockout stage, and the entire Hoffenheim team is intensifying their preparations at the training base.

On a typical afternoon training session, as the session was drawing to a close, the assistant coach jogged over and spoke to Nagelsmann.

After hearing this, Nash quickly walked over to Yan Yuan, who was stretching on the sidelines.

"Yan," Nagelsmann's voice was low, with a hint of seriousness that was barely perceptible, "stop for now, come to my office with me, immediately."

Yan Yuan paused, somewhat surprised by the coach's sudden interruption and slightly serious tone: "Okay, coach."

He immediately stood up and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

As he walked to the office building, Nagelsmann explained as he went, his pace quick.

"Just now, Arsène Wenger from Arsenal made an urgent video call request, specifically asking to speak directly with you."

Upon hearing this name, Yan Yuan's eyes widened, and the image of that white-haired, refined gentleman flashed into his mind.

After the two arrived at the office, Na Shuai opened the door for Yan Yuan and said...

"Yan, this conversation is important for you and for the club's future arrangements. Go ahead and talk to the professor alone. I'll give you some space."

Na Shuai's tone was full of support and high expectations. After explaining to Yan Yuan, he avoided the topic.

Yan Yuan pushed open the door to the head coach's office. In the huge room, only a large screen in front of the conference table was lit up.

The screen clearly displayed an image of an old man, Arsène Wenger.

Yan Yuan had seen Professor Wenger's face in football news before.

But the professor looked more tired than usual, with deeper lines around his eyes and a lingering weariness in his expression.

But when Wenger saw Yan Yuan appear on screen, his deep eyes immediately lit up, and the corners of his mouth naturally turned up, revealing his usual kind, gentle, and even scholarly smile.

The office was so quiet that you could hear the faint sound of the central air conditioning blowing.

"Yan," Wenger's voice came through the microphone; although there was some background noise, his tone remained warm.

"Hello, I'm Arsène Wenger. I'm sorry to interrupt your training time." Wenger's English was fluent and accent-free.

Yan Yuan took a few deep breaths to calm himself down, and bowed slightly to the screen: "Hello, Professor Wenger. It's an honor to speak with you." Yan Yuan's tone was very respectful; he had been looking forward to speaking with Wenger.

"Please sit down, child," Wenger gestured.

"To be blunt, we know you have expressed your desire to join Arsenal through your agent and the club."

This really surprised me...

To be honest, at my age, hearing that a player like you actively chose Arsenal is a very special feeling.

He paused for a moment, seemingly considering his words.

"But I still want to know, why?"

"When there are so many better choices in the world, why choose Arsenal? Is there anything special about this place for you?" Wenger's gaze, gentle yet insightful, fell on Yan Yuan through the screen.

Yan Yuan didn't evade the question; he was very direct:

"Professor Wenger, I have two very important reasons. First, it concerns my studies." He looked intently at the old man on the screen.

"I have passed the initial application review by Imperial College London, based on my previous academic background and projected grades."

But as you know, formal admission requires German university entrance exam scores. He straightened his back slightly.

"I will be taking the exam in May. I am confident in my studies, and if I achieve the required score, I hope to continue my studies in London."

Arsenal's Colney training ground is very close to Imperial College, which is crucial for me to balance football and my studies.

Wenger nodded slightly, his eyes revealing understanding and even a hint of approval: "Ah, I understand. Balancing academics and football is indeed a rare challenge and a valuable experience for young people. Arsenal has always had a fine tradition of supporting players' further education in this regard."

"Thank you for your understanding, Professor," Yan Yuan continued, his tone becoming calm and firm.

"But that's not all, or rather, not the most important reason. The most important reason is about... what kind of story I want to write." His gaze was intense, carrying the sharpness unique to a 17-year-old boy and a great yearning for the future.

Wenger didn't speak, but leaned forward slightly and listened attentively.

"Professor Wenger," Yan Yuan's voice echoed clearly in the office, "places like Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Bayern Munich, or Manchester United... these are indeed very good, they are already great clubs that have created brilliance."

If I go there, I know I will become just another name in their glorious history, a footnote that adds to their honor.

Yes, I could win a lot of trophies, a lot.

He paused, as if confirming his thoughts, then his tone became more explicit:

"But that's not what I want. I don't want to just add bricks to an already built monument."

I want to go to a place where I need to prove myself again, a place where people need to change and create history, like the miracle of Leicester City, but I want more than just a temporary solution.

I want to work with a team, a group of people, to emerge from a slump or a period of stagnation, to reach new heights, and to become the core and soul of that team's revival.

Creating a new dynasty will make my legend more legendary than joining a top-tier one.

Yan Yuan's voice was sincere.

"Arsenal has a glorious past, and I still remember the legend of that 'Invincible Season'."

But I also know that in recent years... it has faced difficulties, it is still searching for direction, and that is precisely what attracts me to it. Here, there is history, there are expectations, and even more so, there is a vast space for challenges.

If I can succeed here and become part of the club's resurgence... Professor Wenger, that would mean something entirely different.

I want to create my own place and status.

A brief silence fell over the office, and Professor Wenger's expression froze for a few seconds on the other end of the screen.

His eyes seemed to brighten for a moment, then quickly softened.

Wenger took a deep breath, his smile deepening, but the lines of his smile seemed to contain more complex emotions: a profound sense of being moved, intense surprise, and deep, heartfelt admiration.

"Yan Yuan," Wenger called Yan Yuan by his full name, even though it was a bit of a mouthful.

"Thank you... thank you for being so honest with me. I've been coaching for decades and have heard many players talk about the future and their ambitions."

But what you just said... about 'your own story,' 'your own place'... He slowly shook his head, his tone filled with admiration.

"You amaze me. At the age of 17, you can see so far, so clearly, so... extraordinary."

Arsenal, as you said, is indeed a place full of stories and challenges. Your understanding of it and your self-positioning are far beyond my imagination.

This... is truly remarkable.

Wenger's emotions seemed to be ignited by Yan Yuan's words. He straightened his back and no longer looked as tired as he had during the video call.

"So, now that you've chosen the possible setting for this story, I must tell you how we intend to write it." His tone became focused and forceful.

"Strict," Wenger's eyes sharpened.

"Arsenal's goal, or rather, my goal."

"We've never been content with the status quo. We yearn to reclaim the Premier League throne, to be more competitive in the Champions League, and to bring back the long-lost glory to our fans!" the professor declared emphatically.

"This takes time, it takes strategy, and it needs a talented player like you to join us," he said, his gaze fixed intently on Yan Yuan.

"My coaching is always based on philosophy, technique, coordination between superiors and subordinates, and teamwork."

If you join us, I won't stifle your creativity; instead, I'll guide it and let it unleash its full potential within the team framework.

"You're very young, with immense physical and technical potential. I'll tailor a position for you, just like I did for Henry, Fabregas, and Van Persie, improving your game reading, finishing efficiency, and consistency under pressure." He paused, then added,

"Especially at the tactical level, I have high expectations for your potential to integrate into the team's system, and I believe my approach can help you make greater progress on the competitive level."

Yan Yuan listened attentively, his gaze focused.

After Wenger finished speaking, he spoke again, this time with a clearer intention in his voice:

"Professor Wenger, thank you for outlining the blueprint for me. I believe in your philosophy and your ability to develop young players; the whole world knows you are a true master in this field. But..."

He hesitated for a moment, then said more firmly,

"My choice of Arsenal was not entirely based on the club itself, or simply because of the proximity to universities in London."

Wenger's expression changed slightly in front of the screen, revealing his doubt:

"Oh? What other reason could there be?"

Yan Yuan looked at the weathered, kind, and somewhat haggard face on the screen and said sincerely:

"Professor Wenger, you are also a major reason why I joined Arsenal."

He clearly saw that Wenger's eye seemed to twitch slightly.

"I remember when I was 5 years old, my parents and I went to London for the first time. The first game I watched live was at Arsenal's home stadium."

I know your story and everything you've given at Arsenal over the past twenty years.

I know the regret and helplessness behind every "mistaken signing". I know that you used limited resources but carried enormous pressure year after year to lead the team into the Champions League zone. That was definitely not just good luck.

I know even better... the helplessness and pain you felt when you had to sell your captain and key players back then.” Yan Yuan’s voice was not loud, but every word he spoke was sincere.

"You dedicated your prime years to Arsenal, endured so much injustice and criticism, but you always stayed here, trying to protect the tradition and spirit of this team. That's what I admire most about you."

Wenger's smile vanished. He listened quietly to Yan Yuan's words, his eyes filled with a complex and unreadable expression, his lips pressed tightly together.

"I know you're 69 years old this year." Yan Yuan's voice carried undisguised respect and a hint of barely perceptible sadness.

"I think you deserve more rewards at this stage of your coaching career, and you shouldn't have more regrets."

I chose Arsenal so that I could be one of the players you can rely on. In the years to come, I want to do my part to help you and Arsenal.

I hope to play under your guidance and become the key player who brings championships to Arsenal.

A long silence fell over the office.

On the screen, Professor Wenger's eyes seemed to be instantly veiled by a thin mist.

He lowered his head slightly, reached out, and very slowly took off his newly fitted glasses.

As people age, their eyes do indeed become more sensitive.

Wenger pressed his fingertips firmly against the area below his eye sockets, pausing for a long time, seemingly desperately suppressing some surging emotion.

When he raised his head again and put on his glasses, Yan Yuan could clearly see that his deep eyes were slightly red.

The old man's Adam's apple bobbed up and down, as if he were swallowing back something that was rising in his throat.

"Yan..." Wenger's voice was hoarse, no longer metallic, but trembling slightly.

"You...you mean...I...I don't know what to say." He took a deep breath, trying to steady his voice, but the deep emotion that had been touched was still clearly discernible.

"These words... this sentiment... I've been teaching for so many years, it's been so long... so long since I've encountered something like this. Thank you, Yan Yuan, really... thank you so much." He paused for a long time, as if gathering his strength, and finally...

Wenger looked solemnly into Yan Yuan's eyes and said with utmost sincerity:

Everything you said... means a lot to me.

Yan Yuan saw the light shining in Professor Wenger's eyes; it was not a light of sadness, but a light of hope.

A warm feeling welled up in his heart.

"Yan," Wenger finally spoke, his tone now gentle yet firm, but the blush around his eyes still lingered.

"I believe you will definitely achieve your goals, whether academically or on the football field. Our understanding gives me confidence in our future cooperation."

His voice regained its strength.

"Alright, Yan, keep focusing on your season, stay focused, stay healthy. Here at Hoffenheim, no matter how far you go in the Champions League, give it your all."

I'll be waiting for you in Kearney. Feel free to contact me anytime if you have any thoughts. I wish you all the best in your future exams, and I hope to see you in London this summer.

"Thank you, Professor Wenger." Yan Yuan's tone softened, and his response was sincere.

Wenger also showed his most relaxed and genuine smile of the day, although the moisture in his eyes had not completely faded:

"Keep up the good work, the Champions League knockout stage is about to begin, and I believe you will continue to shine."

"I definitely will, Professor. Please take good care of yourself as well," Yan Yuan said with concern.

The video call ended in a warm and hopeful atmosphere.

Wenger sat alone in the empty conference room. The large screen in front of him had gone black, reflecting his own blurry figure. He sat there for a long time, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the edge of the table.

Yan Yuan's candid words still echoed in my ears.

Wenger gently closed his eyes, then slowly opened them again.

Outside the window, the London sky began to darken, but a new light seemed to shine in his eyes.