Chapter 14: A Bud Sprouting

[Arsenal's Hidden Gem Arata! Finally Signs a Professional Contract with the Club!]

[Director Gazidis: 'Arata Will Become the Best! We Are Certain!']

[Manager Arsène Wenger: 'Arata Fits Arsenal Perfectly. He'll Be Included in the Pre-season Squad!']

[Wenger Once Again Puts His Faith in a Young Talent—Is This the Right Decision?]

The news of Kai's contract spread beyond England, reaching Europe and the rest of the world.

Arsenal fans were both excited and concerned about the signing of their highly-rated prospect.

For years, the club had been focusing on signing and developing young talents, which frustrated many supporters.

They hadn't won the league in a decade, and key players were constantly being sold.

Wenger's once-trendy tactics seemed to have reached their limits.

In this situation, the emergence of a new top prospect was welcome, but many fans were still dissatisfied with the club's policies.

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- Promoting young players to the first team is fine, but why aren't we signing new players?

└ Because the club has no money, obviously.

└ Don't give me that nonsense. We're not even using the money from selling players!

└ We're paying off the stadium construction costs. Just hold on for two more years, and we'll be free!

- Sigh… When will we ever sign a star player?

└ We have Jack Wilshere.

└ Wow! Wilshere? That's the dumbest thing I've heard all year!

└ Wilshere still needs more experience.

└ Isn't Wilshere injured? I heard he won't be back until November.

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Despite the criticism towards the club, Kai himself received overwhelmingly positive reactions.

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- Who is Arat6? I've heard his name, but I've never seen him play. Does anyone have a video?

└ Here, check this out.

└ Thanks! Watching it now!

└ Holy shit! Is this real? He's never lost a game?

└ His ball control is beautiful. It feels like he's toying with the defenders.

└ He definitely has playmaker instincts.

- Wow! Did he just make that pass with his heel? And not just once? What am I even watching?

└ His passing, movement, link-up play, and shooting—he's got everything.

└ His defense is solid too. He can be aggressive sometimes, but his tackles are usually clean.

└ Agreed.

- No wonder other clubs were after him. He's an absolute monster.

└ And he's beautiful to watch.

└ If he's this good, maybe losing Fabregas to Barcelona won't be a big problem?

└ That's a stretch. This video is from U-18 matches. The first team is a completely different level.

└ Still, he's clearly a promising talent! Yoon is Japanese, right?

└ Yes, he's Japnese. Same nationality as Shinji Kagawa from Borussia Dortmund.

---

Kai's contract news spread quickly to Japan as well.

[Kai Arata Signs a 5-Year Contract with Arsenal!]

[Japan's Football Prodigy Kai Arata Joins Arsenal's First Team! Debut Incoming?]

[Who Is Kai Arata, Arsenal's Rising Star?]

[Kai Arata Rejects Premier League Big 4 Offers to Stay at Arsenal—Will He Make His Debut This Season?]

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Japnese Football Community Reactions

[BEST] Historic Moment! Japan's 4th Premier League Player! Our community fully supports Kai Arata's success!

[Upvotes: 14,358]

[BEST] Since he's a homegrown youth player, doesn't he have a high chance of debuting this season? Wenger will definitely give him opportunities.

[Upvotes: 12,271]

[BEST] Arsenal fan for 10 years here… We've been mocked for so long, but finally, it's our time to shine! You guys don't even know who Kai Arata is, right? Let me break it down for you. Get ready to become Arsenal fans.

Name: Kai Arata

Age: 16

Birthplace: Saitama, Japan

Height/Weight: 180 cm, 67 kg

Position: Midfielder (Plays like Zidane as an attacking midfielder, like Pirlo in a deeper role, but mostly plays as an AM.)

Preferred Foot: Right (but seems two-footed)

Youth Club: Arsenal (2002–2011)

Professional Club: Arsenal (2011–)

Insane Youth Records

There aren't many records before this, but from U-15 and above, I found some stats.

U-15: 36 games, 42 goals, 29 assists, 3 red cards (Age 13–14, 2009–2011)

U-18: 25 games, 38 goals, 52 assists, 6 red cards (Age 15, 2010–2011)

Promoted to the Reserve Team at 15

Reserve Team Friendly Matches: 2 games, 2 goals, 4 assists

First Team Call-up at 16

[Upvotes: 12,261]

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Playstyle Breakdown

Arata is a classic No.10 playmaker.

He controls the game's tempo, moves all over the pitch, and is deeply involved in build-up play. In short, he's the commander of the midfield.

He has decent physicality, but what makes him truly special is his insane technique. Even under heavy pressure, his ball control is unreal.

First touch? Pure art.

Dribbling? Phantom dribble, flip flap, nutmegs, sombreros—you name it. He's untouchable.

Passing? Don't even get me started. I've never seen him misplace a pass. His long balls are ridiculous.

People compare him to Zinedine Zidane and Juan Román Riquelme, but I think he's more like Zidane.

There's a reason hardcore Arsenal fans call him "Japnese Zidane."

But he's not perfect. His biggest flaw? He's an absolute madman on the pitch.

Outside of matches, he's quiet, but once the game starts, he switches into a completely different person.

His competitiveness is through the roof.

You saw the red card stats, right? If he gets pissed, he won't hesitate to throw in a reckless tackle.

That's why people call him "Japnese Zidane." And honestly, I agree.

Bottom line? Kai Arata is unlike any other prospect we've seen.

Fabregas and Wilshere were top-tier youth players, but neither of them dominated at this level.

Kai Arata destroyed everyone in the academy. And the craziest part?

He's never lost a single game he's played in.

Arsenal kept him hidden for a reason. They knew they had something special.

I swear, if he debuts this season, I'm watching every single match.

You'll all fall in love with him.

[Upvotes: 12,226]

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A Japnese Fan Living in London Weighs In

[BEST] If you live in London, you can't not know Kai Arata.

Arsenal kept him under wraps, but they couldn't stop fans from attending matches.

Highlight-watchers have no idea how crazy he is in real games.

The previous post did a good job explaining, but you have to see him play live to understand.

If you just watch his highlights, you'll think he's just about killer passes, goals, and flashy dribbling.

But that's not it.

He plays like he's in his own world—selfish yet artistic.

He's just insanely good.

Honestly, I'm a Manchester United fan, but I'm seriously considering switching to Arsenal.

Bottom line: As long as Arsenal doesn't sell Kai Arata, their golden era is coming.

I won't accept any arguments against this.

[Upvotes: 8,582]

---

Most people were amazed, but there were occasional negative reactions.

"Isn't he being hyped up too much as a young prospect?"

"He's yet to make his first-team debut, so no one knows how his future will turn out," some warned cautiously.

Still, everyone congratulated him on becoming the newest Premier League player.

After all, seeing a Japnese footballer succeed overseas was always a welcome sight.

Kai read the news on his smartphone, chuckled, and stretched as he got up from his seat.

"Just as expected."

He decided not to dwell on it.

For the next few years, he had no plans to return to Korea.

The London Olympics were coming up next year, but priority would be given to players who are playing domestic and international with proven track record.

There was no way the association would give a spot in such an important tournament to a 16-year-old.

"The real issue is A-matches, but they wouldn't call me up just because I had one good year, right?"

As he replied to congratulatory messages from friends, he realized it was almost time for the club interview.

Knock, knock.

"Come in."

Parker entered the room, smirking.

"Kai, are you ready for the interview?"

"Of course."

"You've thought about how to answer the questions, right?"

"I haven't looked at them yet."

"Kai."

"Hey! I'm kidding. Let's go."

Parker ruffled Kai's hair, making him groan.

"Ugh, seriously!"

"You shouldn't tease adults."

The two chatted casually as they headed to the press room.

Inside, club staff were busy preparing, clearly in a rush.

The director of photography spotted Parker and Kai, quickly raising his hand.

"Five minutes! Just five minutes, please!"

"The director isn't here yet, so take your time."

"Thanks, Parker."

"No problem. Kai, this way."

Parker approached a blonde woman meticulously reading through the question sheet.

"Ellis, this is today's star, Kai."

Ellis put down her script and greeted Kai with a bright smile.

"Hi, I'm Ellis. I've heard a lot about you from Parker. This is your first interview, right?"

"Yes."

"I'll guide you through it, so don't be nervous. Just say whatever comes to mind—we'll edit it later, so don't worry, okay?"

"I'll be in your care."

"You're as mature as I heard."

"I get that a lot."

Parker immediately chimed in.

"Yeah, he really is."

"But Parker is the childish one, right?"

"Kai, you're getting cheeky these days."

When Parker scolded him, Kai feigned innocence.

"Huh? Aren't we friends? Why are you drawing a line all of a sudden?"

"What?! Wow! I can't believe this guy—"

"The director is here! Everyone, get ready!"

At the director's call, Kai flashed a victorious grin and quickly took his seat, guided by a staff member.

Ellis patted Parker's shoulder and said,

"You two seem really close."

"Yeah, I guess we are. Anyway, take good care of Kai."

"Don't worry."

Ellis grabbed her script and moved to her spot.

When Managing Director Gazidis sat next to Kai, he greeted him warmly.

"Good afternoon."

"Arata, good afternoon. I don't see your father today."

"He's busy with the shop."

"Ah, right. This is a busy season for him."

Gazidis nodded, his mood noticeably better.

It seemed he hadn't forgotten the bitter defeat he suffered in negotiations last time.

"We're starting now!"

At the director's cue, everyone adjusted their posture and smiled.

Ellis led the conversation with a lighthearted approach to ease the atmosphere.

'As expected of Ellis.'

Kai was well aware of her skills.

She had initially gained attention for her looks but was now recognized as a talented journalist working as an in-house reporter for the club.

She provided fans with club updates alongside David Ornstein.

Raising an eyebrow in her signature way, she finally directed a question at Kai.

"Kai, you signed a professional contract at 16. How does it feel?"

"It's truly an honor to play for the club I've always dreamed of."

"Was Arsenal your dream club?"

"Yes! My parents and I first settled in Islington when we moved to London. Naturally, I learned about Arsenal and got to watch my first football match at Highbury. That was when Arsenal secured the league title."

"Oh! How was it?"

Kai scratched his head.

"Honestly, I don't remember. My parents told me about it later."

"That's a shame."

"But I do remember one thing."

Ellis' eyes sparkled.

"What is it?"

"I remember begging my parents to let me play football. That's how I ended up choosing Arsenal, which was the closest club to home."

"That's really fortunate! If you had lived in another region, you might have ended up at Manchester United or Liverpool instead."

"Exactly. That's why I think I was really lucky. Arsenal's style of football was so fun for me."

The conversation flowed naturally, with Gazidis occasionally chiming in without disrupting the atmosphere.

The club staff were amazed at Kai's confident interview skills.

"Is he really 16?"

"Did the club train him for this?"

"Ellis is the one struggling to keep up."

"Still, the interview is going well, so let's keep it this way."

As Kai started taking the lead in the conversation, Ellis decided to switch topics before she completely lost control.

"So, Arata, which player do you admire the most?"

"Hmm, Zinedine Zidane."

Sensing an opportunity, Ellis immediately pressed further.

"Oh! Zidane? Can you tell us why?"

"The coaches I trained under often told me my playing style resembled Zidane's. I got curious and watched his videos, and I could see the similarities—"

"Oh! This was supposed to be my final question, but can you tell us what your ultimate goal is?"

Kai grinned.

"My goal is to win more trophies than Zidane and make sure that when people think of 'Art Soccer,' they think of my name instead of his!"

The press room fell silent for a moment.

No one expected a rookie to make such a bold statement.

A newcomer aiming to surpass Zidane.

But Kai wasn't finished yet.

"But to achieve my dreams, I have to start with smaller goals first. So, I've already set one—my goal this year is to win the Premier League!"