As night desded north of London at Arsenal's Kearraining base, the lights in the head coach's office were still abze. Wenger sat at his desk, engrossed in watg a football mat his puter s.

  It was Real Madrid versus Atletiadrid iwenty-sixth round of La Liga.

  Was this his first time watg this game?

  Wenger couldn't quite recall, but the more he watched, the more intrigued he became.

  In this match against Atletiadrid, Real Madrid's offense appeared rather unrefined, g the finesse of meticulous preparation. However, their deferategy warranted closer scrutiny.

  The pyers made numerous errors and seemed passive on the field, prompting criticism from many fans and Spanish media for pying a style akin to Italian football. Yet, those well-versed in the game could dis the subtle ges in Real Madrid's defensive system.

  Fresh blood, a 25-year-old ese youth, had ied new life into this aging team.

  Their tactical setup, including the double midfield pivot and deferucture, bore resembo Benitez's approach. However, unlike Benitez's high-pressing tactics, Real Madrid opted for a more reserved defensive posture.

  Was this due to pyer preference? Or a ck of uanding?

  Wenger couldn't say, but either way, it was remarkably intriguing.

  After finishing the game, Wenger felt a sense of inpleteness, and a questioably surfaced in his mind—ohat had been on the lips of fans worldwide i days.

  What tactics would Real Madrid employ when they visited Highbury Stadium?

  Had it been Carlo, perhaps it would have been easier to predict, as head coaches oftehe audacity for such decisions.

  But youth didn't always equate to recklessness.

  Would Ronaldo and Carlos, two of Real Madrid's attag stalwarts, get their ce to py?

  During pre-match deliberations with his coag staff, Wenger sensed a strong likelihood. Even if they didn't start, they would likely be included in the squad, given Real Madrid's need for the offensive prowess they brought.

  Furthermore, the new president of Real Madrid had voiced his support. In an earlier interview, he had also stoked the fires, hoping to see Ronaldo and Carlos in a.

  Why? It was simple—he wao recreate the fervor of the Bernabeu csh at Highbury.

  With several aging pyers, the bodies of Real Madrid's superstars could no longer keep up with the demands of high-iy matches. With Ronaldo and Carlos och, the pace of Real Madrid's py would slow, and their overall movement would suffer.

  And what were Arsenal, and indeed Premier League teams, renowned for?

  Swift, dynamic football!

  Wenger had deliberately aired these ses in the media. The media, fans, ma, the chairman—all were in agreement. Did Wenger believe the 25-year-old ag head coach of Real Madrid would acquiesce?

  As the thought crossed his mind, a smile pyed on Wenger's lips.

  This tactic, he had learned from an old colleague who possessed a devious streak.

  Just then, assistant coach Pat Riocked on the office door aered with a fax in hand.

  "The press feren Madrid just ended. Here's the test: the official squad list for Real Madrid's 18-man roster."

  Pat Rice's expression was serious as he hahe fax to Wenger.

  "It's somewhat different from our expectations. Brazilian pyers like Ronaldo, Carlos, Baptista, Robinho, and ho haven't made the cut."

  Wenger's eyes remained fixed on the faxed list as he sed the names one by one. Indeed, Ronaldo, Carlos, and the others were absent. He looked up, surprised, and g his assistant.

  Their predis had been off!

  But soon, Wenger chuckled to himself, shaking his head. "As expected of a young man, he's bold!"

  The entire world was cm for Ronaldo and Carlos to py, even their immediate boss had intervened, urging their inclusio Gao Shen had resisted, shouldering all the pressure.

  It was either staunch adhereo his pn or a willio face the sequences.

  To have defeated Atletico at the Bernabeu spoke volumes. Either way, it seemed the former.

  "This young man is intriguing," Wenger remarked, a rare pliment from him towards another coach.

  "If I remember correctly, he studied at Loughbh Uy?"

  "Yes, sports ma. I've looked into it; his academic record is quite impressive."

  Wenger houghtfully. "Let's wait for him to step down from his coag role at Real Madrid. Then, we reach out to him, offer him a tract, and bring him to Kearo work with us. I like this young man!"

  Pat Rice was taken aback. Was Wenger sidering poag him?

  With or without Ronaldo and Carlos, Wenger was somewhat surprised but ultimately relieved. Each sario had its pros and s.

  Regardless, Gao Shen was making decisions based on his own vis.

  What exactly did he hope to achieve?

  Wenger was eager to find out.

  ---

  At almost the same time, in a mansion oskirts of Madrid, former Real Madrid president Florentino had just been briefed by his assistant Redondo about the results of the retly cluded press ference, and more.

  "Acc to UEFA regutions, the head coach must attend both pre-matd post-match press ferences, unless under special circumstances."

  Redondo finished speaking, and Florentino couldn't help but chuckle.

  "So, does he have a 'special circumstance'?"

  Redondo suppressed a smile and nodded. "Yes, he's feeling unwell."

  The reason seemed flimsy; anyone could see through the excuse.

  "Our ag head coach is quite intriguing. He doesn't even bother cog eborate excuses. Yet, oher hand, he persists in not seleg Ronaldo and Carlos, daring to defy everyo's intriguing, indeed!"

  Florentino suddenly felt an urge to meet this young man.

  Sutriguing youth were rare these days.

  "He's painting himself into a er," Redondo shook his head.

  From his perspective, it was somewhat self-indulgent.

  "Manuel, sider this: if he decided early on today that regardless of whether the club retains him after losing to Arsenal, he'll leave anyway. What decision do you think he'd make now?"

  By yielding to public opinion aing Ronaldo and Carlos, even if they lost to Arsenal and were eliminated from the Champions League, Gao Shen would face backsh from ma, the media, and the fans. If he won, everyone would rejoice. But if he lost, he'd shoulder all the bme and be ousted.

  "Moreover, Manuel, what do you think Martin is thinking right now?"

  Redondo initially thought Martin must be fuming, seeing the coach he had promoted defy his directives. Yet upon deeper refle, he realized Martin had no reason to be angry.

  Ronaldo had been a marquee signing by his predecessor. Seleg Ronaldo now, if they won, credit would be attributed to the previime; if they lost, Martin would take the fall. It was a lose-lose situation for him. Besides, Martin had retly voiced a desire to rein in the superstar.

  Insiders knew Marti pressure from the board, media, and fans. Despite making a ciliatesture now, he likely harbored reservations about reinstating Ronaldo and Carlos.

  "Do you uand?" Florentino asked with a grin. "This kid may be young, but he's shrewd. He used Martin before, and now he's willingly shouldering the pressure. Even if he's sacked, Martin will treat him with respect."

  Taking responsibility for leaders was also a form of strategy.

  Florentino reflected on how he had treated Valdano after his dismissal from Real Madrid. Valdano had returo a position of respect. Wheime was right, Florentino even sidered bringing Valdano back with him, proof of their tinued rapport.

  At that moment, Redondo's ph.

  Another message from the Bernabeu.

  "Martin has decided to travel to Highbury with the team!"

  It was nearly inceivable to expect a win in this game. Sending the vice-chairman and teical director Butragueno to apany the team was already a strong show of support. Martin's personal presence was a demonstration of solidarity with Gao Shen.

  ---

  Before the team departed, Gao Shen made a special trip to the Odalysa area.

  He had e to bid farewell to Carlo.

  "If we lose this game, I won't be ing back," Gao Shen decred firmly.

  Carlo looked up, surprised. He hadn't anticipated Gao Shen making such a decisive statement. Was this game truly worth staking Gao Shen's career on?

  "Don't be so taken aback, Mr. Carlo. The world operates on fairness," Gao Shen said with a relieved smile.

  "If we win, everything will ge dramatically upon my return. I'll likely secure a perma coag tract, being the you head coa European football, even worldwide. My life will be forever transformed."

  "pared to that, the sequences of losing are insignifit."

  At that moment, Gao Shen savored the feeling. He likened himself to Jing Ke, preparing to assassihe Qin ruler; to Xiang Yu, smashing his cauldrons and sinking his ships; to Han Xin, crossing the river with his dagger. But in his heart, he preferred Li Shimin by the Wei River.

  This was the life a reinated soul should live!

  Carlo fell silent. He uood Gao Shen's ses but couldn't help sighing, "Even so, why are you so adamant about excluding Ronaldo and Carlos from the squad? Their presence would bolster the team's attag strength signifitly. Don't you see that?"

  "Yes," Gao Shen aowledged Carlo's perspective. "But they simply don't fit into my pns."

  Gao Shen had weighed many factors in making this decision.

  "Your pn?" Carlo frowned. "You mean, yoing to py defensively and wait for Arsenal to make mistakes?"

  Gao Shen smiled and replied, "Do you think I'm that servative?"

  Carlo was momentarily speechless. If he were in Gao Shen's position, he might have opted for a more cautious approach.

  "Don't worry, Mr. Carlo," Gao Shen tinued. "At Highbury, you'll see a different Real Madrid!"

  This response hi Gao Shen's fiden implementing a urategy, suggesting that he had something distinctive in mind for their uping match against Arsenal.