Chapter 7

In the days following his meeting with Kat, Akin began to change; his football and his entire lifestyle had changed.

He was still diligently continuing his exercises and diet; he knew that he had a difficult challenge ahead if he wanted to fulfil the goals he set for himself.

He began to feel an invisible pressure for the first time.

After increasing his training, he was keenly aware of the two great existences currently growing in Portugal's giants Sporting CP and Barcelona's prestigious La Masia.

Suppose he wanted to lead Arsenal to combat these future dynasty level players, he realised that what he needed to do was work hard. In that case, he cannot be the same player he was in his past life but be better.

Another change was that he had finally rediscovered why he loved football.

His playstyle had become lighter, incorporating more movement and being more wilful; he no longer lost the ball due to silly mistakes after avoiding rough play.

It does not mean he does not still lose the ball after an older player overpowers him, but he has begun to learn how to cope with the pressure.

Kat also began to visit more regularly; she and Alicia never allowed him to forget his slip, much to his embarrassment. After Billy learnt of the incident, the teasing only got worse.

Despite his improvement, he still didn't get to start the game against the Chelsea Youth Academy from West London, much to his chagrin.

Brian seemed to notice his dissatisfaction and pulled him aside to talk to him calmly,

"Hey, don't rush, I understand that you want to go out and show everyone what you can do, but you need to trust the process; you have been improving more in practice, I have noticed, and so so has Mr Brady, you just need to be patient."

Akin also understood, after all, he had been playing too timidly; this also reminded the coaches that although no one could deny his talent, he's still the youngest in the U15 squad; of course, they need to be careful before they can trust him to play a full game he will need to prove himself.

So he said nothing as the Arsenal Youth Academy boarded the bus, making their way over to Kingsmeadow Stadium, the home of the development team belonging to the West London Blues club, Chelsea FC.

The Junior gunners were going with the 4-4-2 formation:

Strikers: Graham Barett (FW),Jo Ossei-Kuffour (FW)

Midfielders: David Noble(CM), Steve Sidwell(CM), Jermaine Pennant (RM), Stephen Santry (LM)

Defenders: Liam Chilvers(CB), John Halls(CB), Jay Bothroyd(LB), Israel Monreal De Silva (RB)

Goalkeeper: Graham Stack

Substitutes: Craig Holloway (GK), Greg Oates (RB), Ben Chorley (CB), Rohan Ricketts (CM), Moritz Volz (CB), Nicollo Galli (CB), Jerome Thomas (LW), Ryan Gary (RB), Akin Adeleke (FW)

Akin was the youngest on this team, showing how much the academy valued him; even though he was sitting on the bench, he would still have the chance to play in the game should the need arise.

They also received the List from the Chelsea U15 squad:

Strikers: Carlton Cole (FW), Filipe Oliviera (RW), Scott Sinclaire (LW)

Midfielders: Jimmy Smith(CM), Anthony Grant (CAM), Miroslav Stoch(CM), Sam Hutchinson (CDM)

Defenders: Robert Huth (CB), Stephen Watt (CB), Micheal Mancienne (CB)

Goalkeeper: Lenny Pidgeley (GK)

Substitutes: Rhys Taylor (GK), Shaun Cummings (RB), Liam Bridcutt (CDM), Liam Bertrand (LB), Jack Cork (CDM), Micheal Woods (CM), Patrick Van Aanhalt (LB).

Akin didn't think much of the Youth Academy team; nobody of all the players in the group, the biggest threat would be the Portuguese left-winger Filipe Oliviera.

He would later play alongside C Santos in the Portuguese national team, winning the Henri Dulaney trophy.

The young gunners readied themselves for the match; after putting on their boots and pads, the mood was light as the boys bantered about, laughing at each other;

However, Hale end is a very competitive program, and many academy players still maintain good relationships.

However, for Akin, it was different; he was quiet and watched quietly; maybe it was because he was the youngest in the locker room.

Perhaps it was because his spirits age was older than some coaching staff.

He could not genuinely integrate with his teammates, often feeling awkward.

He did not realise that he was already marked an outcast by the others until the usually quiet David Noble approached him; neither said anything while he sat by Akin, instead of greeting each other with a head nod.

David glanced at the silent younger boy who had been staring at the commotion his teammates were creating in the locker room, and then he spoke,

"What do you think are the chances of the game today?"

Akin glanced peripherally at the older boy before he began to consider,

"Honestly, in terms of depth and the quality of training, we should have an easy time; we have a stronger team after all, however.…."

Hearing the younger boy hesitate caused David to urge him,

"What? You think there is a problem?"

Not answering straight away, Akin stared at the confident boys lightheartedly bantering while glancing at the coaches who were talking to each other in the corner, feeling uncomfortable,

"No problem, just an uneasy feeling."

After all, he knew that although they were hardly the wealthy giants, they become in the future, this was still the system that gave birth to a monster like John Terry.

Chelsea is not a team that Arsenal should take so lightly.

David seemed to realise what he meant as his eyes narrowed at the boys in front of him who was clowning around.

Suddenly the coaches came over; Brian clapped loudly to gain the attention of the young squad,

"Alright, Lads! Bring it in! The Skipper has some words of wisdom to pass on!"

At once, the noise stopped; this highlighted the respect the players had for the coaching staff; each player gave their full attention as Director Brady came forward, patting the younger lads on the back.

He stared down at his young charges, his eyes calm as he spoke,

"We are about to play the blue boys today, I can tell you are confident, that's good, you know your strength, we are a strong team, but this is football, and sometimes strength is not enough, you also need some luck, so don't let down your guard, when you play today I want you to maintain good form remember we haven't got a lot of games left."

He stopped to assess the boys, making eye contact with a few of them before smiling, satisfied,

"Good, let's play a good game; Chelsea right now is in a transitional period, but the academy still practices total football, so be prepared for anything, keep your heads cool, control the ball, and keep it fluid; I want to see you score some beauties, today lads!"

Impassioned by the speech of their coach, the North London Lads let out a triumphant and began singing,

"ARSENAL!...ARSENAL!...ARSENAL!..."

Even Akin felt his blood boil as he joined the lad's chant, his eyes bright, imagining he was at Highbury, alongside the invincibles; he was filled with anticipation as he thought,

I hope I can play today.