(24 July 2007)
(Matt's pov)
It's just as I left it, the garden, my football pitch everything. The car stopped just infront of the main gate, I jumped out as soon as I could.
"Easy there champ! Why the hurry?" Asked father, he was the one that picked me up from Heathrow.
"Can't wait to sleep in my bed" I said, to which he laughed.
He opened the trunk and we pick up the bags, dad hands me my trophy and take the bags from my hands .
I looked at him to which he just shrugged, "let's go" he said leaving the trunk open.
I swear he's getting weirder as he grows older..
The trophy didn't even looked like a ball, it looked like a cricket ball attached on the three wickets, but hey it is what it.
Closed the trunk I followed him, as I get to the main gate people jumbed, there was confetti everywhere.
There stood my mother, she had definitely left work to be here, which warmed my heart, I would have been more happy if she wasn't a doctor, you know.
"She was flanked by Grandma and Aunt Pandora, now this lineup can definitely defeat Thanos, I couldn't help but smile.
Cara was stood next to Uncle Charles and Grandfather. Behind them were two big boxes that were wrapped as gifts.
I walked in and they started clapping, Cara was grinning, she knows I find these things embarrassing.
"Thankyou for the welcome everyone" I said.
Mom rushes with her arms wide open, I hugged her, I was now a few inches taller than her.
"I'm soo proud of you potato" she said kissing my cheek.
"Thanks mum", It feels good every time she says that, somehow it feels deeper in my soul, it's like when you get your favourite icecream in a summer day, it's just that.
"Come here darling" said Grandma giving me a hug.
"To think it would start with me giving him a football" she said with a smug smile.
"Here, it's your trophy Grandma" I said handing it to her, it was not even that heavy.
"It's beautiful Matt", it's good she likes it.
"Awe, you were so cute when you were little, rolling around in the garden" said Aunty, she too kissed my cheek.
Aunty Pandora and grandma was the one who supported me playing football, it was them who convinced mom and dad to let me go into Arsenal academy.
I Moved forward and hugged old man, he was wearing a suit, the most well dressed person in the room.
"You played well" he said patting my back, I smiled and nodded at him.
"Come here champ" said Uncle Charles, the most jovial man I know, we had pranked our family so many times together.
"My colleagues asked me if you were my son, I told them you are my step brother" he said with a laugh, I chuckled at that.
The women in the room rolled their eyes.
"You! Don't hug me! I'm last" sulked cara folding her hands.
"They say best for the last" I said making her pout leassen, a little.
"Fine" she said hugging me.
"You were bloody brilliant" she said, she had grown her hair, making her look more girly.
I stopped for a second to remember she was my first golie, she had ruined her purple dress in the mud playing football with me.
"Thankyou everyone for the warm welcome I missed you all very much, I also brought some gifts I hope you like them".
We had roamed around the streets of Seoul the next day of final, coach Hamilton had hired security for us, Trevor was a generous man.
"What did you bring me!" Asked Cara excited now all of a sudden.
I took out a black box, "You like pink, I saw them at a local shop" I said Handing her the box.
She opened it, inside was a pair of Pink star earrings, they had shiny stones all over them quite cool if you asked me.
"They're beautiful! Thankyou" she said and jumped on me.
I handed them their boxes, a broach for grandfather, a pendant for grandma, yes they were matching.
A cookbook for korean recipes for mom, cosmetics for aunty.
Her gift was the most expensive one, I could have brought her jwellery with that money but I know she would appreciate this more.
I got few shirts for dad, he needs them.
And lastly for uncle, I got Soju, " In moderation" I said to which he didn't even nod and snatched the bottle from me.
"We also have a gift for you but let's sit down first" said Grandfather, all of us moved onto the sofa and chairs forming a big semicircle.
"What's in the big box" I asked curiously, it was a rectangular shape box, length around 4-5 feet.
"Open it up!" Said Grandma, clapping her hands.
"Wait.. you guys left Bexie alone!" I said remembering about my favourite dog.
"Oh no dear, she's with Shelly, kids love her" said Grandma with a smile, I nod at that.
Shelly was my grandma's neighbour, I've visited their home once, they were friendly.
I tear down the wrapping paper, it was just normal cardboard box, inserting my fingers and tearing open the taped corner.
I saw a beautiful acoustic guitar, I instantly recognised the model, it was Taylor 914ce-L1 Limited Edition, I had the same one once.
I couldn't help but let emotions overwhelm me for a second, "It's.. it's thankyou grandma, grandfather" I said.
"Awee anything for you sweetheart" she said patting my head.
"Hey! We have one gift too, here take this" said Cara handing me a box, it was really light.
It was too light, which made me glance at Cara who was grinning, I think it was a prank.
I opened the box to find brand new football studs, they were Nike Mercurial Vapor, I was used to wearing Adidas Predator, I can give them a try.
"Thankyou Uncle, Aunty" I said with a smile.
"Hey! What's with the mild reaction!" Said Cara her nose flaring hands on her waist.
"What?" I asked to which she snorted.
"You went all dramatic and emotional on Grandma's gift! You don't like ours" said Cara making me sigh.
"I love them Cara, infact I was thinking of wearing them on my debut for England" I said, she was stunned for a second.
"You'll have trouble playing with them" said Aunty making me confused.
"Check inside the right boot"she said.
I put my hand inside and pull out which seems to be keys of something.
"No you didn't" I exclaimed looking at the keys in my hand.
"Which one?" I asked looking at the BMW keychain.
"BMW R1200GS 2005, Black" said Uncle with a grin.
"Thankyou Uncle, you're the best" I said giving the man a hug.
Only he knows I loved bikes, it has to be his idea.
"Hmph, I was the one who got it" said Cara.
"Thanks rabbit" I said to her which made her smile, just a tiny bit.
"You can't ride it till you get 16! Give me the keys, you'll get them back on your birthday" said mom taking the keys from my hand and handing me an envelope.
I opened it and scanned the document, "You invested all of it!" I asked suddenly excited.
"No! We saved 2 million pounds for your future studies, we invested 10 million pounds. ITS ONLY BECAUSE OF YOU! and we won't be doing this ever again" she said.
It was hard for me to convince them, to invest 5 million pounds in Tesla and 5 in Amazon.
And I had to beg them to do it, I was on my knees, literally. Finally they did the 'Gamble' they call it.
They expect me to learn a 'Lesson' from this.
I looked at grandfather who had a frown on his face, only dad was smiling, he believed in me somehow, honestly I would not trust myself with that much money, but he did that.
"Where is it parked?" I asked Uncle showing, he pointed towards the back.
I got up and made my way towards the back garage to find a brand new beauty, she looked marvelous, I wished I could ride her right now.
"I can't believe you threw away 10 million pounds just because you're kid said so Adam" said Grandpa.
"It's his money, and he's going to earn a lot more when he plays and like him, I believe it's a good investment for his future" said Adam with a laugh that seems to irritate grandfather more, I just stand at the gate listening to their talk about how foolish that was.
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30 July 2007
"You asked for a meeting" said Wenger, we sat in his office, it was the same as we saw last time, he had removed some of the posters.
"I wanted to talk about my position" I said a little hesitant, I don't know how he would react.
"You play Good in your position, are you having any trouble?" He asked gently.
"No boss, it's just I want to play in the first team, and I know club would pick Fàbregas, over me. So I thought I could play a more forward role" I said.
He thought for few seconds, "I want to see you play for Arsenal as well Matt, I've seen you since you were 12. Tell me what do you have in mind?" He asked.
"You played 4-4-1-1, that's perfect for me to play behind the striker, just behind Henry" I said at which he didn't answer, he put his head down a little.
"Intresting, that'll give you more room to score, huh, you can also be used as a pivot for early possessions, that's good, but you shine in long passes, it's too forward -" he rambled, I stopped listening to him.
After a few minutes he looked up, "I'll be looking into it, continue training, don't worry about the tactics and your position. That's my job" he said with a serious face, I guess he didn't liked my suggestion.
"Yes Boss, Thankyou for listening" I said with a sigh, I was desperate a little, because honestly I can't see my future at Arsenal.
It's a little heartbreaking for me to even think about that, it's my boyhood club after all.
I moved out of his office and made my way towards the ground, it doesn't matter, grind matters.
"I need to get an agent as soon as possible" I said to myself.
-------
(7 April 2008)
Emirates Stadium, London.
I sat beside Jack who shifted on his seat, he was wearing an arsenal shirt, his name, Wilshere written in the back above his number 19.
"Relax bro, you've got this. You've trained for this day your whole life" I said making him flinch a little, he stopped his constant shifting on his seat.
"Thanks bro" he said looking intently on the field, his hands joined together.
It was West Ham united vs Arsenal, we had already lost one to them early in the season, this one is important game, as today marks the debut of Jack Wilshere, my bro, making him the youngest to represent Arsenal.
"Whoa" I said looking at the save, Fabregas was 1V1 with the keeper and missed, it was an amazing save by Green.
Arsenal was dominating the midfield, I believe in terms of possession, we were leading, it was just the finishing that was missing.
Fabregas sent a great through ball penetrating the West Ham backline, a brilliant ball to Ljungberg, who couldn't finish, Robert Green got to him first.
On the field, Robert Green had saved two goals about 0.8xg, atleast they looked like that to me.
45+1 minutes.
Arsenal on another attack, Fabregas to Rosický who tries to shoot but blocked by Morte.
West ham on the counter, Niel lobbed a long ball to zamora who scored with one touch.
I can see Wenger complaining that it's offside, but that's just a coping mechanisms I believe.
"Thats mental, they had one chance and bloody scored" grumbled a frustrated Jack.
"Wilshere, warm-up. You're in after break" said Wenger making Jack nod, he gulped as he stood up and started his stretches.
West Ham 1-0 Arsenal at half time.
Players moved one by one towards the dressing rooms, I could feel my blood boil but sat there like a good obedient player to my coach.
It was getting harder for me, everyday I got up and did my best only to be here, it was making me restless.
I was happy for Jack, he deserved it after so much sacrifices of his family and himself had done to get here. He signed his professional contract 2 weeks ago, 6 Million and bonuses, a 4 year contract.
That bastard didn't take long for him wanting to buy a freaking new House, talk about money management, I had to talk him down from it.
Jack followed the coach into dressing room, and soon the break was over.
Baptista(9) out Wilshere (19) IN.
(Pov end)