Arsenal's Contingency Plans

"See? I told you you were going to ball out" Caleb clapped David's shoulder after the match.

"This is just the first round of selections, there will be more challenges" David said. He tried his best not to sound like a cliche main character but he didn't really know how else to express what he wanted to say.

"Pttf" Caleb slapped into the air. "That's just a scam. We'll just play a couple of games against each other again, this time though it's going to be in front of scouts from other football clubs".

"Scouts from other clubs?" David raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"Well, they've likely already made their decisions on who they're going to sign already. Noe, they're giving you the opportunities to impress other scouts". Caleb said. "It's mainly for unproven ballers like you".

"How do you mean?" David arched an eyebrow.

"Well, I came from Cobham. Even if Arsenal don't scout me I'll be able to get into another club solely on the premise that I was bred at Chelsea. The club might not be as big as I'd want it to be, but still, it's a club". Caleb said. "But for you, it's something entirely different. You're an unproven talent. If Arsenal don't see anything in you then that's it. So they call scouts from other clubs around the world. It's their way of helping you. Afterall, we've heard stories of big superstars that were turned down by top academies when they were younger. It would be a shame to lose a talent due to something so simple".

"Ohh". David nodded his head in understanding. "I guess that makes sense".

"Yeah". Caleb said. "Alright, I'll be leaving now. I have to get home quick".

"Alright, goodbye". David said, then waved to Caleb who gave him a mock salute".

David spotted Anne, James, and Oliver by the parking lot, casually munching on hamburgers as they leaned against the car. James, always the first to react, pointed at David with his free hand, his mouth still full.

"Mmmph! gulp—Look who's back, Mr. Future Arsenal Star!" he exclaimed before taking another massive bite.

David chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah, don't jinx it. It's just the first round."

Anne, ever the supportive one, stepped forward and handed him a neatly wrapped burger. "Oh, come on, David. We all saw you out there. You were incredible. Arsenal would be crazy not to pick you."

Oliver nodded in agreement. "She's right. The way you played today—it wasn't just good, it was standout. You had control, vision, and composure. Coaches notice that kind of stuff."

David sighed, unwrapping his burger slowly. "I appreciate the support, guys. But Caleb mentioned something today—he said the scouts probably already have their minds made up about who they're signing. That means I might just be playing for the sake of it."

James scoffed. "Bruv, don't be dumb. You think they'd call up all them scouts just to waste time? Nah, fam, you got sauce on the pitch. You just gotta show them what you're on."

David chewed thoughtfully, taking in what his friends were saying. They all piled into the car, Anne in the driver's seat while the boys filled up the rest. As soon as the engine started, James immediately reached for the aux cable. "Alright, DJ James is in the house—let's get some tunes going!"

Anne rolled her eyes. "As long as you don't play that awful drill music from last time."

James feigned offense. "Awful? Anne, you wound me." He scrolled through his playlist before selecting something more universally acceptable—a mix of Afrobeats and R&B.

As the music filled the car, David leaned back against the seat, staring out the window. "Man dem, you reckon I got a real shot? I mean, it's Arsenal, innit. Big man club."

Oliver turned slightly in his seat. "Look, I won't lie, fam—it's long. But think about it, man like Saka, Martinelli, they weren't gassed from day one. They put in the work. You just gotta do the same, init."

James nodded enthusiastically. "Straight facts, bro. You got tekkers, you got work rate. Some ballers got the sauce but no discipline, some work hard but ain't got flair. You? You got both, g."

David smiled, feeling a bit lighter. "Man's out 'ere sounding like I'm the next Messi."

Anne reached over and gave him a light punch on the arm. "You don't need to be Messi. You just need to be you. That's enough."

The conversation shifted as they drove through the dimly lit streets. James started talking about an upcoming FIFA tournament he wanted to enter, while Oliver debated him on the best defensive formation in modern football. Anne, as usual, moderated their argument, keeping them from getting too heated.

David mostly listened, letting their voices surround him like a warm blanket. It was moments like these that reminded him why he wanted this so badly—not just for himself, but for the people who believed in him.

As they neared his house, James turned in his seat. "You know what's mad? If you land in Arsenal's academy, we can say we knew you before you blew up. We'll be chilling with a future baller."

David smirked. "And you man gonna gas it up to everyone, innit?"

James grinned. "Bruv, of course! Man needs them VIP tickets patterned early."

Anne pulled into David's driveway and put the car in park. "But before all that, you need to rest. Get some sleep, David. Tomorrow's another day, and you're gonna need all the energy you can get."

David nodded, feeling a newfound sense of motivation. "Safe, man dem. Real talk, I appreciate you lot."

"Say no more," Oliver said simply.

As David stepped out of the car, he looked back at his friends and felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. No matter what happened with Arsenal, with them by his side, he knew he'd be okay.

For now, though, he had one job—keep proving that he belonged. And he was ready.