Arsenal's recent run of form had been so strong that many clubs had begun to treat them with extreme caution.
The concern was even stronger within the Premier League itself, and a closing remark on Sky Sports captured the mood across the league.
"Since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped away from Manchester United, the big question now is simple. Who exactly is going to stop Arsène Wenger's Arsenal?"
That single comment reflected the growing belief across the English media. Many outlets were beginning to suggest that Arsenal could dominate the league in the years following Ferguson's retirement.
Among the traditional powerhouses, only Chelsea appeared capable of matching them.
Even that confidence was uncertain.
Chelsea's squad structure still looked unbalanced, and reports of tension between José Mourinho and Roman Abramovich had started to circulate again. For many observers, the club looked stable on the surface but carried a sense of a ticking time bomb beneath it.
Manchester United were struggling far more openly.
Louis van Gaal had arrived with a reputation as a strict tactical mastermind, yet United's early Premier League performances had been disappointing. The Dutch manager had not managed to lift the club back to its former level.
Tottenham were still rebuilding their squad and identity, a process that could not be rushed.
Liverpool seemed stuck in a strange stagnation. They were neither collapsing nor improving, and no analyst could clearly identify the single issue holding them back.
Manchester City had won a title recently, yet their dominance had never lasted. Despite massive spending, the results had not created a lasting dynasty.
Across the entire Premier League Big Six, Arsenal were the only club generating genuine excitement. Every other contender seemed to be dealing with structural problems of one kind or another.
Because of this situation, Arsenal had begun shifting its focus more clearly toward Europe.
The change could be seen during their weekly tactical meetings.
During almost every session, Arsène Wenger started by analysing upcoming Champions League opponents. Even clubs from other groups occasionally appeared in his presentations.
Only after that did he briefly discuss the next Premier League match.
The players listened carefully.
This squad had been assembled for a single purpose.
The Champions League.
That tournament had drawn them together. Without it, the project itself might collapse.
. . .
Inside the Arsenal dressing room, Wilshere walked in.
He turned slightly and moved toward his locker.
Kai noticed something immediately.
Three thin scratches ran along Wilshere's neck, clearly made by fingernails.
Kai stepped closer.
"What happened to your neck?"
Wilshere quickly covered the marks with his hand.
"Is it that obvious?" he muttered.
Kai nodded.
"Very."
Wilshere gave a helpless grin.
"Lauren lost her temper."
Kai blinked.
"Lauren? Your ex-wife?"
Wilshere frowned immediately.
"Hold on. Ex-wife? I haven't signed the papers yet. She's still my wife."
Kai raised both hands slightly.
"Alright. Fair enough. Sorry. But why did she scratch you?"
Wilshere scratched the back of his head, clearly embarrassed.
"I went over today to apologise and ask for another chance. She still has… strong opinions about me. Things got heated."
Kai lifted an eyebrow.
"What kind of heated?"
Wilshere sighed.
"She wouldn't let me into the house. I tried to push my way inside. That's when she scratched me."
Kai stared at him for a moment.
"You always solve problems like that?"
Wilshere let out a bitter laugh.
"Yeah… I've realised that's been my issue. I used to be too sure of myself. Never really thought about how she felt."
Kai leaned against the locker beside him.
"So what now?"
Wilshere straightened slightly.
"I keep trying. I'm going to win her back."
His expression grew serious.
"For me. And for the kids."
Kai smiled faintly and tapped Wilshere's chest.
"Alright. That actually sounds like the right approach. Good luck."
Across the room, Kai noticed Ángel Di María and Luis Suárez sitting together, quietly talking.
After playing together for months, the two South Americans had developed a strong understanding both on and off the pitch.
Suárez spoke first.
"I keep hearing rumours about Paris Saint-Germain calling you."
Di María shrugged lightly.
"I heard Barcelona are calling you as well."
The two men paused.
Then they both laughed awkwardly.
Each of them understood the situation.
Suárez's agent was Pere Guardiola, the brother of Pep Guardiola. Pere maintained a strong relationship with Barcelona, and the Spanish club had been searching for a reliable centre forward.
Through Pere, Barcelona had contacted Suárez several times.
He had never given a direct answer.
Suárez still believed in Arsenal.
Last season's failed Champions League run had left a bitter taste, and he wanted another attempt.
If they failed again, then perhaps he would consider a new chapter.
Playing alongside players like Lionel Messi and Neymar at Barcelona was an opportunity few players could ignore.
But for now, Suárez had no intention of leaving.
Di María's situation was simpler.
Paris Saint-Germain had offered him an enormous salary.
Nearly double what he earned at Arsenal.
Even for a player used to big contracts, the offer was difficult to ignore.
He leaned back against the locker and exhaled slowly.
"It's… a lot of money," he admitted quietly.
How could he not feel tempted?
Still, Di María had already made up his mind.
At the very least, he would stay for one more season.
He wanted to give Arsenal one full year. The atmosphere at the club felt right to him, and more importantly, this squad genuinely looked capable of winning the Champions League.
If that happened, everything would change.
Moving to another club as a Champions League winner would naturally raise his market value and salary. Waiting a year could easily become the smarter decision.
And Di María and Suárez were not the only ones being linked with other clubs.
Rumours surrounded several Arsenal players.
The club was aware of it. Kai was aware of it too.
But nobody brought the subject up openly.
Professional football had always worked this way. If a club could not offer enough benefits or opportunities, players had the right to consider their own future.
Arsenal had done its best to improve conditions.
Even so, the financial reality of the club remained complicated.
The loan for the Emirates Stadium had not been fully repaid, and the club had already invested heavily in transfers for three straight years. Arsenal's salary structure had improved compared to the past, but it still could not match the financial power of clubs like Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, or Chelsea.
That was exactly why Kai's decision had touched so many Arsenal supporters.
When he rejected Chelsea's offer, fans across North London were genuinely moved.
They understood very clearly what Kai would have gained by moving to Stamford Bridge.
Higher wages. A richer contract. Possibly an easier path financially.
Yet he chose to stay.
For the supporters, that loyalty meant everything.
Of course, the Arsenal board had also noticed this growing tension within the squad. They were already working on plans to stabilise the situation.
Even so, the atmosphere had begun to affect some players.
. . .
"I hear Di María may be leaving," N'Golo Kanté said from the passenger seat as he looked toward Kai.
Kai glanced sideways at him, slightly surprised.
"Who told you that?"
"The media talk. Fans talk. Some teammates also say things," Kanté replied, looking confused. "But Arsenal very good team. Why he want go?"
Kai kept his eyes on the road.
"Better contract," he answered calmly.
Very few people in the world could completely ignore money.
Kai himself was not immune.
Chelsea's offer had been enormous.
But Arsenal had given him something different. They had trusted him, developed him, and built their project around him. That history had weighed heavily on his decision to stay.
"Don't think too much about it," Kai continued. "If someone wants to leave, you usually can't stop them."
He thought back to Suárez's situation at Liverpool.
Back then, Suárez had pushed hard for a move to Arsenal.
Steven Gerrard had personally tried to persuade him to stay. As captain, he had spoken to him several times.
It had not changed anything.
Suárez still left.
At that time, Suárez had been chasing honours.
But football careers moved in cycles. One day, a player might move for trophies, another day for money.
Kai and Suárez were close friends.
But friendship did not mean controlling someone's decisions.
If Suárez chose to stay on his own, Kai would appreciate it deeply.
If he decided to leave for a better salary, Kai would not stand in his way.
Everyone had the right to choose their own path.
Kai turned the steering wheel slightly and glanced at Kanté.
"What about you? Ever thought about leaving?"
Kanté froze for a moment.
Then he shook his head quickly.
"No, no. Never think about that," he said firmly. "I happy here. Very happy."
Kai laughed quietly.
"Right now, the offers probably aren't that big. In the future, the temptation might be harder to resist."
Kanté opened his mouth, clearly preparing to protest.
Before he could speak, Kai lifted a hand.
"No need to explain. And you don't need to promise anything."
Kanté fell silent.
Kai continued calmly.
"I just hope that if one day you decide to leave, you tell me first."
Kanté looked at him.
Kai's expression remained relaxed, but his tone carried quiet sincerity.
"At least then I'll know how to face you when that day comes."
. . .
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