(Matt's pov)
"Number 10?" I asked shocked, I had told them to give me any number, between 10 to 20. I can't believe they are giving me 10.
"Why?" I asked David who was laughing looking at my surprise, I hide my face from the camera little embarassed.
"You're going to be out main midfielder, Fellani is out for the season, the number 10 was free, and I personally believe you would shine in this number." he said sincerely.
I was at a loss for words, I was nervous before now here, If I fumble toffees going to eat me.
"Thankyou Boss, I will exceed those expectations" I said modestly.
I changed into the shirt and saw myself in the mirror, again I felt those butterflies I hadn't felt for two months.
The jersey was a bit tight on the shoulders and loose on waist, it was full sleeve shirt.
"You look good" said Steve giving thumbs-up.
"Thanks coach" I said, and again there was a photo shoot..
Changing into football shorts, and studs I was led into the training field by David.
Few players were already there, they curiously glanced at me and stopped training.
"Lads, let me introduce you to our new signing, Matthew Delevigne, our new number 10. Make him feel at home." he said, I heard few claps, their eyes were on me.
"Hey guys, call me Matt, I played for England and won U-17 world cup, I am excited to be here, please tell me if I make any mistakes, and I'll be glad to learn more", I don't know how I sounded, I heard few chukles.
"Relax bruv, We don't eat people. I'm Jose Baxter " said a man, guess I sounded too nervous.
"Yes! Id Heard about you, the new Beckham in town" said another player, I didn't know his name.
"Hey! You! I've seen you before, you were in that movie, the kids one" exclaimed another.
"Harry Potter" I said reminding him.
"Ha, Harry Potter, I went to see that one with a gal, she be into kids movies-" he continued to be stopped by Baxter.
"Shut it Tim we don't want to hear" said Baxter making them laugh.
"Hello, my name is Mikel Arteta" he said giving me his hand.
I didn't recognise him at all, he looked like a shy kid from Spain.
"Hello Mikel" I said shaking his hand.
"Hey! Now, I want to show you something magical, are you up for it?" Asked David making me raised my eyebrows.
It took me a second to guess what he wanted.
"Is he going to show his pubes?" Asked Baxter from the side.
"That's more horror than magic" said Mikel with a laugh, I too smiled at the banter.
"Tim, on goal now" said David.
"Lescott, Phil,Jose, and Mikel form a Wall, I want to see Matt's freekick" he said.
"Oh, coach wants to show off his new signing" said Louis Saha.
They quickly form a wall, David passed me a ball.
"Do it Matt, I've been waiting for this for two months" said David.
I think I was regretting a little showing him videos of my freekicks.
I placed the ball 35 yards out, I could here them placing bets on me not scoring this, even David joined the bets.
"Ready?" I asked the keeper to which he signaled with thumbs-up.
The ball went in, Tim hadn't moved a step, everyone went quite for few seconds.
"That was indeed magic" said Phil Neville, he turned around and walked into the goal.
Picking up the ball, he did few keepiups, "it's legit ball boys" he said making them look like me as if I was a monster.
(Pov end)
---
(David Moyes Pov)
"We got him for pocket change, Arsene would be fuming!" I said to myself in my office.
"He's atleast a 50 million player, if not more. I need to talk with the owners, and get him new contract before this one ends" I write in my diary.
I was there, at United when Alex snatched Ronaldo from going to Arsenal, I witnessed history that day, and today I got the same feeling seeing that kick.
"We're going to play champions league next season" I know it by heart.
Konck.. "Come in", I said Steve entered with his enthusiastic grin, he was already providing to be better than Alan.
"They are getting along quite well, Matt and Mikel's personalities are quite alike" said Steve as he sat down.
"You showed him his flat?" I asked, Matt was going to stay near the ground he had told them on the first meeting.
"His luggage will arrive on Wednesday, till then I have arranged his stay at a hotel nearby"
"Good, you saw him play, what do you think?" I asked him curiously.
"If he played like that infront of 30000 people, im going to bet my house on our league win"
"Haha" I laughed.
"How do you even get him here?" He asked.
"Players with huge talents have even bigger egoes, I've worked with Giggs, scholes, Beckham, keane. I know them very well. Similarly Matt does to" I said.
"He appeared quite humble?" He asked confused.
I sighed, "In terms of football, he's grateful towards us, but try to teach him football, you'll receive hell. So be mindful, never tell him anything about how he should play. You can criticize his speed, vision or tactics. Technique? Never. Got it?" I said to him.
This was where Alex went wrong, cause he was a genius too, these people don't listen, only do what they feels right.
Their egos make them rise, and in the end it's what make them fall.
(Pov end)
----
(Third person pov)
"How did it go? I saw the pictures on their website you look handsome in blue shirt" said his mom over phone.
"It went well mom, they gave me number 10 shirt" said Matt, she smiled over the phone.
She was nervous, Eva knew her son wanted to play for Arsenal since he was 8, it hurt her to see him so down for two months.
Finally he had let go of Arsenal, and she was truly happy for that.
"Did you arranged your stuff?" She asked making him whine.
"I'll visit on Sunday, being Dad too, he would help" she said leaving no room for refusal.
"Okay, I'll see you then" he said with a sigh.
"Hmmn, good night. Love you"
"Love you mom" he said putting his nokia phone down.
"It's a mess, mom would kill me if she saw this" he said looking at the room.
There were boxes opened, clothes spread out everywhere, his shoes and footballs not arranged.
"I'll ask Mikel and Phil for help" he thought with a laugh.
The falt was at five minute walk to the training ground and 10 minutes drive to the stadium, it was given to him by the club owner as a gift for arrival.
'Even though, I didn't even graduate from an academy, they are treating me as a freaking star.. ' he thought as he laid down on his bed.
It was the only thing that had no clothes on it.
'its good Jack is doing well, he's become a loved name in North London' thought Matt.
Jack had scored 6 goals in 3 matches, people were quite excited to see him in this season.
'Score goals, Invest more, buy Bitcoins, and retire early' he thought putting down the phone and went to sleep.
-------
(Somewhere in Arsenal, 5 Days after Matt left Arsenal)
Tow man were walking aside by side.
"Hey Boss, it's been long time I've seen Matt, is he okay?" Asked Henry, he had never seen Matt take days off, it felt odd to him.
Arsene looked a little tired, he shook his head, "Matt is no longer part of Arsenal" said Wenger making Henry stop.
"Are you serious Boss? Is this a joke?" He asked his mouth wide open.
"He went to Everton, finalized the deal two days ago" said Wenger.
"Why boss?" Asked Henry, he couldn't understand, Matt had been with Arsenal since he was 9, and the lad was quite proud of that.
"He wanted to play Henry, and I couldn't give him that, you know Fabregas plays in his position, and upfront he's not tested, his talent is on midfield" said Wenger.
"You should have Sack Fabregas" said Henry
"Fabregas? He's playing second best! Scoring goals, Assists" said Wenger.
"Fabregas is world class" said Wenger.
"For this generation, sure. Matt was, since the inception of football" said Henry leaving Wenger behind.
Maybe he needed to hear that, he felt less burdened after talking to Henry.
------
(Matt's Pov)
15 July 2008
"You've been to Goodison Park yet?" Asked Phil, we were sitting inside a cafe, Mikel and Tim sitting beside him.
"Never, honestly quite excited" I said.
"Heh, lad says he's excited, I don't how will he survive Anfield" said a man wearing apron, he put down our cups and joined the conversation.
"Don't worry kasper, this season, toffees will rain in Liverpool" said Mikel making me laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" He asked
"You're accent is quite funny, in a good way ofcourse" I said to make sure he doesn't take offense.
"Heh, been saying that since day one mate" said Tim.
"It's not, my girlfriend think it's sexy" said Mikel with a smirk.
"Hey! There are kids here" said Phil pointing at me.
"Im 16 Captain, and I'm taller than you" he was 5,9. I was above 6feet.
"You just proved his point mate" said the cafe owner Kasper.
"Our first game is a home one. Do anything, I'll take an own goal for fuck sake, just don't break alright kid, we've got 100 years of history behind us" said the cafe man patting my back.
He's the second fan I have interacted with, The Toffees were proud bunch, they welcome you with open arms.
"I'll just do that" I said making the man smile, soon he left as customers started to increase.
"You settling well?" Asked Phil, he had been a good support here helping me with a lot of stuff.
"Just needs to unpack and arrange stuff I brought" I said.
"Don't worry we'll help you, let's see his gaff" said Tom leaving the payment on the table.
(Pov end)
-----
(Third person pov)
(16/08/2008)
Everton vs Blackburn Rovers
Goodison Park
"Welcome to Goodison Park, the opening day of the new season, today we've had amazing game, what an epic start to the best league in the world.
Arsenal beating 3–0 West Bromwich Albion, an incredible show by Jack Wilshere, scoring 2 brilliant goals to kick start the season" said Mike Ingham.
"You're right Mike, a Classy show of talent by the Arsenal youngest, and we just might see another in this one" said Kevin Gallacher.
"Matthew Delevigne, ex Arsenal youth academy player, and teammate of Wilshere for England, today marks the debut game for the youngster at the aga of 16" said Mike, he was looking forward to the game.
"He's been named in the starting 11, and given shirt number 10!" Exclaimed kevin.
"A lot of pressure for the youngster" he continued.
"C'mon kev, it's not United's 7, it's Everton's 10." Said Mike with a laugh.
Playing for Everton was not that big deal in his eyes.
"Still, first time playing infront of a crowd can create nerves, wish the lad all the best" said Kevin agreeing with Mike.
"What are your predictions kevin?" Asked Mike leaning toward him.
"2-0 to Everton, Delevigne scores on his debut" said Kevin, he didn't think much about the Rovers, they were a bottom feeder anyway.
"That's interesting, 1-0 to Everton Arteta with a late winner" he said with raised eyebrows.
"So we both thinks Everton's gonna win? No surprises?" Asked Kevin.
"Oh, it's football Kevin, there are always surprises" said Mike.
"The players are on the field, Blackburn Rovers in blqck vs Everton in blue at Goodison Park.
I'm Mike Ingham with my co-commentator Kevin Gallacher. Lets enjoy, football" said Mike as he put down his mic and looked at the field.
(Pov end)