World football system
Chapter 45: Welcome to Arsenal

Chapter 45: Welcome to Arsenal

Location: London, England

The plane from Valencia descended through thick, grey clouds and touched down on the slick tarmac of Stansted Airport, its tires hissing against the rain-slicked runway. Tobi Oliveira stared through the small oval window, watching the drizzle streak sideways across the glass. England looked just as he imagined—gloomy, fast, and alive with promise.

A private car waited near the terminal, its glossy black body gleaming under the airport lights. Standing beside it was a man in a fitted navy suit, the red Arsenal crest stitched proudly on the pocket.

"Welcome to London, Mr. Oliveira," said Matthew Wells, Arsenal’s Head of Player Liaison, offering a firm handshake and a warm smile.

Tobi returned the handshake with a small nod, his eyes scanning the unfamiliar landscape. Behind him, his mother, Inês, joined with a calm but composed expression. Her phone was already out, recording discreetly. This was more than just a transfer—this was a new life.

---

First Steps in North London

The drive into the heart of London passed in a blur. Tobi sat in silence as rows of Victorian townhouses, red buses, and corner shops flashed by. The closer they got to the Emirates Stadium, the heavier his heart thudded in his chest.

When the stadium finally appeared, its stark white curves towering over the urban sprawl, it stole his breath. It wasn’t just architecture. It was a statement.

"You’ll see it every day now," Matthew said from the front seat. "This is home."

Tobi blinked, committing every brick to memory.

---

The Medical Evaluation

July 30th began early at London Colney, Arsenal’s state-of-the-art training facility. Tobi was run through a comprehensive medical. Blood tests, MRI scans, reflex checks, agility measurements, and stress tests.

Dr. Kavanagh, head of the medical team, scribbled notes on his tablet as Tobi leapt on pressure pads and ran on a treadmill.

"Still growing, are you?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hopefully into the Premier League," Tobi quipped, sweat dripping down his temples.

Hours later, the results were in.

> SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS COMPLETE

Physical Evaluation: 96/100

Cardiovascular Endurance: Elite Tier

Risk of Injury: Low

Tactical Comprehension (Initial): 85/100

Work Permit: APPROVED

Medical: PASSED

Tobi exhaled in relief as he got dressed. Inês gave him a silent nod of approval. Everything was aligning.

---

Signing the Deal

That afternoon, in a private boardroom inside the Emirates, Tobi faced Mikel Arteta, Edu Gaspar, and a small team of lawyers. Inês sat at his side, one hand on her notepad, the other recording on her phone.

Edu leaned forward.

"You’re not just signing a contract, Tobi. You’re stepping into a legacy."

Tobi took the pen, hands slightly shaking, and scrawled his name across the five-year deal.

> Tobi Oliveira

Contract Duration: 5 Years (2027-2032)

Wage: £55,000/week

Signing Bonus: £500,000

Squad Role: Rotational Midfielder (CAM/CM)

Squad Number: 21

Arteta extended a handshake. "Welcome to Arsenal. No pressure. Just history."

---

The Unveiling

The next morning, under a grey London sky, Tobi walked out onto the Emirates pitch for the first time wearing the red-and-white. A full media team waited.

The massive screen behind him flashed with his name: OLIVEIRA 21

Camera shutters clicked rapidly.

"Why Arsenal?" a reporter asked.

"Because they believe in youth. In growth. In fighting for every inch," Tobi answered without hesitation.

Arteta watched from the tunnel, arms folded, saying nothing. He didn’t need words.

---

First Training Session

At 8:00 a.m. the following day, Tobi stood on the immaculate green turf at London Colney, lacing his boots under overcast skies.

"You the kid from Portugal?" came a voice. It was Bukayo Saka.

"Depends," Tobi said. "You the superstar from London?"

They both laughed.

Training was ruthless. Five-touch rondos, high-press scenarios, three-man weave patterns. Martin Ødegaard approached him during a water break.

"You’re not here to show off," he said. "You’re here to link us. Think fast. Pass faster."

Tobi nodded. But inside, his heart was hammering.

> SYSTEM ALERT:

EPL Intensity Detected

Adjusting Stats:

-- Stamina: 87 → 85

-- Composure: 85 → 82

-- Passing: 90 → 88

He coughed into his sleeve. The difference in pace was suffocating. Every mistake was punished. Every lapse exposed.

Still, during a scrimmage, he slid a no-look pass between two defenders to assist Nketiah. The coaches clapped. Saka jogged over.

"That’s Arsenal level. Keep doing that."

---

Settling In

Tobi moved into a sleek apartment near Canary Wharf. Floor-to-ceiling windows, modern furnishing, and silence that felt alien.

He messaged Leonor.

> Training’s tough. But I’ll get there.

She replied instantly.

> You always do.

Late that night, the system chimed.

> MISSION LOG UPDATE:

Welcome to Arsenal: COMPLETE

Next Objectives:

Appear in First Competitive Match

Maintain Match Rating of 7.5+ Over First 5 Games

Develop Chemistry with Midfield Core

UNLOCKABLE TRAIT: Premier League Pulse

+2 Vision, +1 Composure, +2 Tactical Awareness (EPL Matches Only)

Tobi stared out over the river, lights flickering off the Thames.

He was no longer the boy who died in silence.

He was a young man with a second chance, and a stage bigger than anything he’d ever known.

He didn’t just want to play.

He wanted to belong.

The morning mist hovered low over the London Colney pitches. Dew clung to the blades of grass like tiny diamonds, and a slight chill bit into Tobi Oliveira’s skin as he zipped up his training jacket.

It had been a full week since his unveiling at the Emirates. Seven days of brutal drills, video analysis, gym work, and tactical briefings. Still, the first competitive match loomed — and Tobi hadn’t yet broken into the official starting XI.

He tied his boots tightly. His body was sore in places he didn’t know had muscles, but it was a good kind of pain — a badge of effort.

From across the pitch, Mikel Arteta’s whistle cut through the air.

"Positions! Red bibs, you’re the starters. White bibs, shadow team. Game intensity."

Tobi looked down at his white bib.

Still second string.

He jogged into position, trying not to let the tightness in his chest distract him. As a central attacking midfielder, he’d been shuffling between drills with Ødegaard, Vieira, and Smith Rowe. But it was Ødegaard who always wore the red bib.

The captain.

The heartbeat.

Today, Tobi wanted to change that.

Training Match Begins

The ball rolled into motion, and within seconds, the tempo skyrocketed. Saka and Nketiah led the press, while Partey anchored the midfield. Tobi tracked Ødegaard’s movements carefully, noting his angles, how often he turned his body before receiving a pass.

Then the moment came.

Jorginho misjudged a pass toward Rice, and the ball fell loose in the middle.

Tobi pounced.

He intercepted the ball cleanly, danced around a lunging tackle from White, and surged forward, heart hammering. Smith Rowe tried to close him down, but Tobi executed a quick Cruyff turn, drawing a gasp from the sideline.

He spotted Nelson on the wing — sent a slicing through-ball behind the defense.

Perfectly weighted.

Nelson latched onto it, crossed low to the near post.

Goal.

"YES!" Tobi hissed, pumping his fist.

From the sideline, Arteta’s voice rang out. "Better! Much better!"

SYSTEM ALERT:

Match Performance Rating: 8.2

+1 Passing (Now 89)

+1 Vision (Now 87)

Temporary Stat Drop Lifting...