Chapter 30: His First Start

During training, the team could sense Li Mo’s rising tactical importance. He had become the primary finisher in Arsenal’s 4-4-2 system. Whether attacking from the flanks or through the middle, the goal was always to create scoring opportunities for Li Mo.

His finishing ability had gained full recognition from everyone, so there was little resistance. After all, before Li Mo arrived, Arsenal had gone three games without a goal. Since his arrival, the team had scored five goals in two matches, four of which were his. Furthermore, Olivier Giroud had no objections to his new tactical role—it was merely a shift from creating opportunities for Theo Walcott to serving as a wingman for Li Mo. Meanwhile, forwards like Walcott and Lukas Podolski had no complaints either; in this system, they would still have plenty of playing time.

Thus, after three days of training proved the system was viable, everyone knew clearly that the weekend home game against Southampton would be Li Mo’s first professional start—even if the coaching staff hadn’t explicitly stated it. Some things didn’t need to be spelled out. After all, the team had been training entirely around "how to get Li Mo to score" for days. If they suddenly switched methods during the match, the Arsenal players might not even know how to adapt.

Walls have ears. Several media outlets caught wind of the situation from Arsenal’s open training sessions.

"Li Mo will get his first start in the fifth round of the league!" Sky Sports declared confidently on its official social media.

Some Arsenal fans tagged Gary Neville under the post: "What a pity, Gary. Are you really not going to bet on anything else?" "I have a hunch—Li is really starting!"

Arsenal fans were feeling quite proud; after all, the team’s recent form was good, and they could stand tall. If they ever lost again, they would have to retreat from the internet temporarily. That is how the war between fans always goes: win, and you earn the right to breathe; lose, and you log off.

Manchester United had also been in good form recently, boasting a four-game winning streak since the start of the season, so their fans quickly came to support Gary Neville. "A reminder to Arsenal fans: young players are very inconsistent. You might face a goal drought soon." "A seventeen-year-old getting a start—what is there to be excited about?" "Arsenal really has no higher ambitions."

The news thread quickly became a chaotic battlefield of banter between fans. As for whether Li Mo would actually start, the fans didn’t truly care. The ones who really cared were his family and neighbors.

"We’ve already prepared to buy plane tickets. Me, your dad, your sister, both your uncles, your cousin, your grandparents—the whole family is coming. You have to get the tickets ready."

"Mom... the starting lineup hasn't even been announced yet," Li Mo said with a helpless sigh. Although he knew it was highly likely he would start, he couldn't say it with absolute certainty. Besides, the team's tactical changes were secret, and he couldn't discuss locker room business with anyone, even his own family. When neighbors asked, he brushed them off by saying, "Mr. Wenger hasn't made a decision yet."

"It doesn't matter if it’s not out yet; you’ll definitely have a chance to play. Just remember the tickets!"

"I know," Li Mo muttered before hanging up.

Getting tickets was actually simple. The club provided players with tickets to the stadium. While Li Mo didn’t get many himself, he could ask other players. For instance, foreign players like Giroud had fewer family members visiting for matches, and players like Jack Wilshere had family members who were already season-ticket holders, so extra tickets were useless to them. Thus, Li Mo could easily secure enough.

Still, it was just a regular start. Was it worth such a grand production, having the whole family come? Li Mo shook his head.

His family arrived in London the day before the match. From that day on, Li Mo had to stay with the team, spending the night before the match at a hotel, so he couldn't meet them immediately. However, his family didn't need a seventeen-year-old kid to host them. Both Filippo and Simone Inzaghi had visited London often during their playing days. The whole group spent a pleasant day exploring the city.

Meanwhile, Li Mo underwent final tactical drills with the team. When match day arrived, there was virtually no tactical training left. The match was scheduled for noon local time—an awkward hour chosen by the Premier League to maximize revenue, as it coincided with prime time in East Asia. As a result, every round included some midday matches, and this time, it was Arsenal’s turn.

After waking up and eating breakfast, the players were only about three hours away from kickoff. There was no time for training; they could only stretch their bodies in the hotel gym.

One hour before kickoff, the Emirates Stadium was already roaring with noise. The media were most concerned with the starting lineup. Soon, it was released.

"Li Mo! Li Mo is starting!" a reporter shouted.

Some reporters from China immediately translated the list and posted it on Weibo, sparking a frenzy among domestic fans.

Li Mo’s "cheering squad" was already in the stands. "He’s starting! He’s really starting!" eleven-year-old Tommaso Inzaghi, who had been glued to his phone, cheered. The whole family erupted in excitement, and Simone Inzaghi pumped his fist in the air. Filippo Inzaghi, however, remained relatively calm.

"It’s just a start in one match, but this game is crucial," he remarked.

"I have a lot of confidence in him," Simone Inzaghi retorted. He had taken a few days off from his job at the Lazio youth academy to watch this game. Unlike his brother, whose "mysterious smile" incident had led to a promotion from head coach of the AC Milan youth team to a technical consultant for the club. Although he was still on the payroll, he had essentially nothing to do—as a consultant, you were only asked for input when needed. This effectively meant Filippo had been sidelined at Vismara.

The two sat in the stands, and the cameras frequently focused on these two legendary figures—mostly on Filippo, as Simone’s fame during his playing days hadn't quite matched his brother’s.

"Both Filippo and Simone Inzaghi are in the stands at the Emirates. Beside them should be Li Mo’s family. It is worth mentioning that Li Mo’s mother is the younger sister of the Inzaghi brothers," the commentator Zhang Jun noted, known for his well-researched background information, as the camera panned to them.

At that moment, the players were lining up to enter the pitch. Li Mo stood in the middle of the line. The stadium DJ began announcing the names. When it was Li Mo’s turn, "Next is... number 19..."

Following the DJ’s voice, the fans collectively roared, "LI MO!!!"

The deafening sound nearly blew the roof off the stadium. The camera locked onto Li Mo, who raised his right hand and waved to the stands ahead. In that section were his family, friends, and neighbors. They had all come today to witness his first professional start!