Chapter 682 - 128: The Gunners’ Tyrant and His Rules: Kindness and Power, a Charge for the Championship, and the Bar Brawl Incident

Goalkeepers: Szczeny, Fabianski, and Emiliano Martinez;

Defenders: Subotic, Vermaelen, Koscielny, John Djourou, Squillaci, Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore, Lichsteiner, and Carl Jenkinson;

Midfielders: Alexandre Song, Matuidi, Arteta, De Bruyne, Pogba, Wilshere, Ramsey, Diaby, Coquelin, and Flintpon;

Forwards: Wang Shuo, Hazard, Walcott, Rosicky, and Chamak.

...

「The morning of July 4th.」

After more than a month of quiet, the Colney Training Base in the North London Suburbs was bustling with activity once again.

Three Citroen Picassos drove through the gates of the Colney Training Base one after another, stopping in the first-team parking lot.

Wang Shuo opened the car door and was the first to get out, gazing at the training building under the sun with a look full of anticipation.

’The weather today is really nice!’

Subotic, Lichsteiner, Matuidi, Arteta, De Bruyne, Pogba, and Hazard also got out of the cars one by one.

Their eyes held a similar mix of anticipation and curiosity, along with a hint of unease.

From now on, this was where they would train and prepare for the season.

"Alright, you guys head to the locker room first. I need to get ready too."

After speaking, Wang Shuo gave Subotic a meaningful look.

The latter understood immediately and ushered the others toward the locker room in the training building.

Wang Shuo, meanwhile, headed for the manager’s office.

This was his first official day as Arsenal’s captain and the players’ first day back after their vacation. He had a lot to do, especially coordinating with the coaching staff.

First, he needed to find out the coaching staff’s schedule for the day.

This brought to mind Sad Fossett.

The man’s arrival had reformed Arsenal’s training regimen.

There would still be an adjustment period ahead.

The coaching staff and the players all needed time to gel.

Through their previous interactions, Wang Shuo had already managed to put the new signings at ease.

This was mainly due to Wang Shuo’s status and influence in the football world, which put him in a league of his own at Arsenal.

Other players, even a talent like Hazard who had attracted attention from all over Europe, were at least two tiers below Wang Shuo.

Since they weren’t in direct competition with one another, many potential problems were naturally avoided.

More importantly, Wang Shuo didn’t put on any airs or act like a superstar. Since they were all new arrivals, and with Subotic helping from the inside, the other new signings had all come to accept Wang Shuo’s role as captain.

Isn’t there a saying?

There’s no problem that can’t be solved over a meal.

And if there is, then make it two!

Vermaelen had also arrived early.

As a veteran player and now vice-captain, his most important task was to help Wang Shuo command the locker room.

When the time came, teammates began to arrive one after another. Wang Shuo and Vermaelen greeted their teammates returning from vacation, which for some, was their first time meeting.

Last season’s captain and vice-captain, Fabregas and Van Persie, as well as the third captain, Amunia, had all left the club.

The few homegrown players were still in their rookie stages. Even though Wilshere’s performance was impressive, earning him the title of "the heir apparent," and Walcott was an England international, the gap between them and Wang Shuo was still immense.

As for Wenger’s Direct Lineage, the French faction, it had long since declined.

The Arsenal of today was more like an international brigade.

Czech midfielder Rosicky was one of a handful of the most senior players on the team.

Having also come from Dortmund, he had spoken with Wang Shuo on the phone a few days prior.

Upon arriving at the Colney Training Base, he went straight to join Wang Shuo and Vermaelen in welcoming their teammates.

This made everyone in the Arsenal locker room feel that, whether they liked it or not, Wang Shuo had firmly established his position as captain!

Realizing this, no one was foolish enough to provoke the team’s captain and top superstar!

More importantly, Wang Shuo was courteous to everyone, showing not a hint of arrogance or neglect, so naturally, everyone else treated him with respect and courtesy.

This allowed Wenger to immediately sense the change in atmosphere when the team later assembled on the edge of the training pitch.

Previously, when Fabregas was captain, many players simply didn’t respect him.

It was understandable. Fabregas spent all his time thinking about leaving Arsenal, abandoning the team to run off to Barça. How could anyone respect a captain like that?

And then, in the damn Champions League round of 16, you made that "brilliant pass" to Iniesta.

You could say it wasn’t intentional, but who would believe you?

It’s not like they could read your mind, so how would they know if you did it on purpose?

And the vice-captain, Van Persie?

That guy had been a troublemaker since he was young, and he was cocky as hell. Crucially, he was also always injured and lacked real authority within the team.

That’s why Wenger had always felt that Arsenal’s lack of results and cohesion had a lot to do with the locker room.

But now, with Wang Shuo’s arrival, the players’ entire demeanor had changed in an instant.

The Professor calmly scanned the assembled players, then turned to look at Wang Shuo beside him, his eyes filled with admiration.

’I really didn’t misjudge him!’

’He stabilized the locker room on the very first day. Given time, he’ll definitely be able to unify this team!’

"Gentlemen."

Wenger spoke in his usual gentle tone, looking directly at the players before him.

"Welcome back to Colney!"

Standing beside Wenger, Wang Shuo began to clap vigorously.

The others across from him all followed suit, breaking into applause.