July in London was proving to be as gloomy as ever.
For nearly a week, a cold drizzle had lingered over the city. Rainwater streaked across the windows, while gusts of wind rattled against the glass with relentless persistence.
The gray sky seemed endless.
Sitting in the back seat of the car, Aubameyang stared out the window and frowned.
"I'm starting to hate this weather."
His agent chuckled from the front seat.
"Good thing you're not planning to stay here forever."
Aubameyang laughed.
"You shouldn't say that out loud."
"Even if it's true?"
"Especially if it's true."
The two shared a smile.
When Aubameyang chose Arsenal, he had his own calculations.
Of course, Arsenal's status as reigning European champions had played a role.
But there was another reason.
A practical one.
In modern football, there were very few clubs that served as a reliable bridge to Barcelona. Arsenal happened to be one of them.
Over the years, numerous Arsenal players have made the move to Camp Nou.
Some succeeded.
Others failed.
Aubameyang, however, had never doubted himself. In his mind, he would be different.
His plan was simple.
If Arsenal continued winning trophies, he would gladly stay.
Success, money, prestige, all of it could be found in North London.
If Arsenal declined, then a strong individual performance would inevitably attract attention from Europe's elite.
Barcelona included.
Either way, he believed he would come out ahead.
He was confident enough in his own ability.
"You picked a difficult moment to join Arsenal."
His agent's voice suddenly broke the silence.
Aubameyang looked up.
"Wenger's illness has thrown the entire club into uncertainty."
The agent shook his head.
"Honestly, I wanted to stop this transfer."
"You did," Aubameyang answered back.
"And you ignored me," said his agent.
Aubameyang smirked.
The agent sighed.
"You told me Arsenal was a stepping stone, and I accepted that explanation."
He paused.
"But I don't think that's the whole truth."
Aubameyang raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
The agent glanced at him through the mirror.
"I've known you too long."
"There's something about Arsenal that attracts you."
For a moment, Aubameyang didn't answer.
His gaze drifted back toward the rain-soaked streets.
Something attractive?
Maybe.
Though calling it a "something" wasn't entirely accurate.
Perhaps it was a person.
Over the years, Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal had faced each other multiple times in the Champions League.
And despite Dortmund's quality, those matches were never comfortable.
Arsenal were different.
Different from every other elite club.
They were stubborn.
Relentless.
Annoyingly persistent.
Within Dortmund's dressing room, Arsenal had earned a unique nickname.
Kaugummi, German for chewing gum.
Once they latched onto you, they never let go. Take the lead, and they would keep coming. Press them down, and they would rise again.
They clung to opponents relentlessly, draining their patience, exhausting their concentration, and turning matches into wars of attrition.
Playing against Arsenal was exhausting.
But it was also strangely admirable.
That spirit had left a deep impression on Aubameyang.
And then there was Arsenal's captain.
Number Four.
Even now, Aubameyang could clearly remember those Champions League nights.
The constant shouting.
The endless instructions.
The encouragement.
The demands.
The leadership.
For ninety minutes, Kai never stopped talking.
He organized.
He motivated.
He pushed.
His voice seemed capable of reaching every corner of the pitch.
Sometimes, Aubameyang wondered what it would be like to play alongside a captain like that.
Compared to the leaders he had played with before, whether Reus or Hummels, Arsenal's captain seemed to possess something different.
Something rarer. The ability to make eleven players believe they could win any match.
Even when the situation looked hopeless.
"We're here."
His agent's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Aubameyang looked up.
The giant Arsenal crest mounted at the entrance came into view immediately.
The security guard checked their identification before opening the gate. The vehicle slowly entered the Colney Training Grounds.
The training ground was impressive. Lush greenery stretched in every direction, far more extensive than what he had experienced in Dortmund. Tall trees surrounded the complex.
Though under today's gray skies and fierce winds, the scenery felt less welcoming and more lonely.
A few minutes later, the car stopped outside the administration building.
Aubameyang stepped out first.
"I'll park the car."
His agent waved.
"I'll meet you inside."
Aubameyang nodded.
Soon afterward, the two entered the building together. Guided by a member of staff, they eventually arrived at Martin Hughes' office.
With Wenger unable to work, many responsibilities had temporarily fallen onto Hughes' shoulders, including player registrations and contract negotiations.
The moment Aubameyang entered, Hughes stood up with a welcoming smile.
"Pierre, welcome to Arsenal."
Aubameyang extended his hand.
"It's an honor to join a club like Arsenal."
The handshake was firm.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, both sides moved straight to business.
Most of the contract details had already been agreed upon. The remaining discussion centered around performance bonuses and incentive clauses.
Aubameyang's representatives hoped to secure additional rewards tied to appearances, goals, and trophies.
Hughes listened patiently before spreading his hands.
"To be honest, the club's finances aren't as comfortable as people think."
Aubameyang's agent looked surprised.
"You sold half the squad."
"We also bought players."
Hughes smiled bitterly.
"The books are balanced, not overflowing."
He leaned back in his chair.
"Besides, your current salary already places you among Arsenal's highest earners."
He pointed toward the contract.
"Only the captain earns more."
"You're effectively on Suarez's level."
"That's how highly the club rates you."
Aubameyang nodded.
That much was true.
The offer showed significant respect.
Hughes continued.
"Originally, the owner wanted to help cover the stadium debt."
"But the captain rejected the idea."
Aubameyang blinked.
"He did?"
Hughes nodded.
"He said financial discipline is what keeps a club healthy."
"Once ownership starts covering losses whenever problems appear, it becomes a dangerous habit."
"His exact words were that Arsenal must remain strong enough to stand on its own feet."
Aubameyang raised an eyebrow.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
The image of Arsenal's captain became even more intriguing.
Hughes sighed.
"So yes, things are tight right now."
Before he could continue, Aubameyang interrupted.
"Then add a Champions League winning bonus."
The room fell silent.
Hughes stared at him.
Aubameyang met his gaze calmly.
"Winning the Champions League should solve all your financial problems."
For the first time, Hughes genuinely looked surprised.
The confidence.
No.
The arrogance.
It was impossible to miss.
Given Arsenal's current situation, most people were discussing whether they could even secure another top-four finish.
Yet this newcomer was talking about winning the UCL again.
Hughes narrowed his eyes.
"You seem very confident."
Aubameyang smiled.
"Shouldn't I be?"
He leaned forward slightly.
Then delivered the final blow.
"Unless..."
His smile widened.
"You signed me because you've already given up on defending the trophy?"
The office instantly became very quiet.
Standing beside Aubameyang, his agent crossed his arms and smiled.
He was curious to see how Arsenal would respond.
After all, Aubameyang had just cornered them.
Martin Hughes, meanwhile, found himself in a difficult position.
He knew exactly what Aubameyang was trying to do.
If Arsenal agreed to a Champions League-winning bonus, the player would naturally use it as leverage to negotiate additional incentives.
The problem was that Arsenal's financial situation was already under pressure.
And if they couldn't offer larger bonuses?
Then they would have to compensate elsewhere.
Perhaps guaranteed playing time.
Perhaps promises regarding future transfers.
Perhaps special clauses unavailable to other players.
But that would completely undermine Arsenal's long-established structure.
The club had always operated on merit.
No player received special treatment.
No player stood above the system.
Not even the captain.
Martin Hughes would never allow that precedent to be broken.
Just as he was desperately searching for a response, the office door suddenly burst open.
Bang!
Two voices immediately echoed through the room.
"Bullshit! Your sprint times were five seconds slower than yesterday!"
"Five seconds?"
The second voice sounded utterly unconcerned.
"Are you secretly German or something? Who measures things that precisely? I was just having an off day."
"Off day, my ass!"
The first voice became louder.
"You're slacking!"
"I'm not!"
"You are!"
"I'm not!"
"I said you are, so you are!"
The argument continued all the way into the office.
Then, before anyone could react, the owner of the first voice turned around and kicked the other person squarely in the backside.
Smack!
"Ow!"
Aubameyang froze.
His agent froze.
Martin Hughes closed his eyes.
The two men walked past everyone as though the room were empty.
One headed straight for the coffee machine.
The other followed.
Only then did Aubameyang get a proper look at them.
Pat Rice.
And Arsenal captain Le Kai.
The pair were completely soaked by the rain.
Their training gear was covered in mud.
Wet footprints stretched across the office floor behind them like a trail of evidence from a crime scene.
Neither seemed remotely concerned.
Pat Rice poured himself a cup of coffee.
Le Kai did the same.
Then they resumed arguing.
"My coffee machine is broken."
Pat Rice sounded annoyed.
Le Kai took a sip.
"No."
"It's because your coffee tastes terrible."
Patrice nearly exploded.
"Bullshit!"
"You have no taste."
"You should be drinking almond milk."
Le Kai immediately fired back.
"Who was it that said almond milk was amazing last week and asked me for three packets?"
Watching the scene unfold, Aubameyang felt his worldview beginning to crack.
Wasn't this Arsenal?
The reigning champions of Europe?
Shouldn't the coaching staff be serious and intimidating?
Shouldn't the captain be calm and authoritative?
Why did these two look more like squabbling a father-and-son pair than the leaders of one of Europe's biggest clubs?
At that moment, Martin Hughes finally snapped.
The veins on his forehead visibly bulged.
"OLD MAN!"
The office shook.
"Don't you have coffee in your own office?"
Pat Rice calmly took another sip.
"No."
"My machine is broken."
Le Kai nodded seriously.
"It's been broken for months."
Pat Rice glared at him.
"Whose side are you on?"
"My own."
Martin Hughes pointed furiously toward the door.
"I HAVE GUESTS!"
Only then did the two men seem to notice Aubameyang and his agent.
Patrice glanced over.
"Oh."
Then he nodded.
"You're here."
Le Kai raised his hand casually.
"Hello."
Aubameyang instinctively raised his own hand.
"Hello..."
His voice sounded uncertain.
Everything about this encounter felt completely different from what he had expected.
Pat Rice didn't resemble a manager under immense pressure. Le Kai didn't resemble the commanding captain who terrified opponents in the Champions League.
Instead, they looked strangely normal.
Comfortable.
Relaxed.
Like people who genuinely enjoyed being around each other.
Martin Hughes pointed at the muddy footprints covering the floor.
His blood pressure was visibly rising.
"Get out!"
He pointed again.
"Both of you!"
"And clean this floor before you leave!"
Pat Rice immediately pointed at Le Kai.
"You clean it."
Kai's eyes widened.
"What?"
"I'm the manager."
Pat Rice folded his arms.
"Managers don't clean floors."
Le Kai looked genuinely offended.
"I'm the captain!"
Pat Rice nodded.
"Exactly."
"Lead by example."
Aubameyang's agent nearly burst out laughing.
Le Kai stared at Pat Rice in disbelief.
Then he pointed toward the hallway.
"Why don't we call the cleaning staff?"
Pat Rice immediately shook his head.
"Impossible."
"Why?"
"Budget cuts."
Martin Hughes nearly had a heart attack.
"There are no budget cuts!"
Pat Rice ignored him and left.
Le Kai looked around the room and spread his hands helplessly.
"Look at this."
"I'm the captain of Arsenal Football Club."
"The leader of the European champions."
"And somehow I've been demoted to janitor. Simply unbelievable."
For the first time since arriving at Arsenal, Aubameyang laughed out loud. The atmosphere he had expected to find at a club in crisis simply wasn't there. Instead of fear and tension, he found something unexpected.
A group of people who were still arguing, joking, and moving forward together despite everything that had happened.
Strangely enough, it made him feel a little more confident about his decision to join Arsenal.
. . .
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