Beautiful Football

Planning a rewrite

In the summer of 2003, AC Milan defeated Juventus at Old Trafford, winning the Champions League for the first time in nine years.

The "Bootgate" scandal rocked the football world. Fan-favorite David Beckham and his mentor Sir Alex Ferguson fell out for good, and Beckham transferred to Real Madrid.

Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea, ushering in the era of big-money football.

Arsenal delayed the completion of their new stadium because of debt. The club had to change its transfer strategy and focus on young players. Arsene Wenger found the team's future in Barcelona: a midfielder and a forward.

Sixteen-year-old Cesc Fabregas would eventually leave Arsenal decisively and return to the embrace of Barcelona, but fifteen-year-old Ludwig stayed forever.

He was dazzled by the football Wenger had envisioned.

"Beauty. I admire beautiful football. Ugly football cannot bring joy to the fans."

"Lulu, remember, football should bring you joy. The fans come to Highbury for joy, too."

"Beauty and joy. That's what football is."

* Arsene Wenger teaches you how to build a battleship from scratch

1. First, transplant a little beet from La Masia. Buy Cesc Fabregas and give him to Ludwig, then say, "Thanks, Barcelona."

Since homegrown flowers are never as fragrant as wild ones, use your stunning six-foot height, long legs, and calm, dependable, elegant manners to charm the little beet into jumping out of the cabbage patch and coming to you of his own accord.

2. Dig a hole in your own backyard and plant the beet. Raise him into a Ludwig with a red-and-white soul.

As the saying goes, raise a Gunner from childhood. More than twenty years later, Arsenal fans will contribute to making the club bigger and stronger by finding their kids matches. As Arsenal's godfather, Wenger led by example, painstakingly raising a great striker. What a hero.

3. Scream when you discover two beets have jumped into the same hole, and don't faint when you learn Ludwig has more than two boats in the water.

"Professor Wenger, both your sons are gay! Your son is gay!"

4. After your rebellious son runs away, hold on to your younger son and stay at Arsenal. Threaten the owner: if he doesn't invest, you'll take Ludwig and jump into the river (not really), or jump ship!

"You know the bank lends to Arsenal because I'm here."

5. Hold the trophies and sigh about how hard it is to be a single father.

"This is the Big Ears Cup. Touch it. This is the Premier League trophy. Touch it. That's the FA Cup. Touch it. And this is the Club World Cup, give it a pat. Lulu, let me wipe the dust off your World Cup... This is the record for an unbeaten season. Touch it three times!"

* Ludwig, the protagonist of Eternal Milan, in an alternate timeline

* Arsenal for life, Spain national team, 2003-2020

* Pairing with Mikel Arteta, but there are multiple romance arcs. First love Cesc ends up a stranger. The whole Spanish national team shares a bed, along with the British Golden Generation and others. In the end, he gets together with his teammate, vice-captain, and head coach.

* Not contracted, updates will be slow

Theme: Love and hope