retired_rkp278

Thank you.

Back in Arsene's office at the Emirates, the manager had a little chat with the young man.

AW: "I'm real sorry it didn't work out. But I do hope you make good use of your time when you go back, and if you improve we may take you on again."

BC: "But..." Ben could hardly think of anything to say. He was still in shock over the decision, yet he was still adamant to pursue a football career.

However, if there's one thing Ben has, it's a quick thinking and creative mind. And so he suggested to Wenger

"How about I sign the contract, then you loan me to a Singaporean club until I get enough recognition, then you take me back?"

AW: "Hmmm...Sounds a bit risky that."

But Ben pleaded with Wenger to give it a try. By now Ben was starting to become somewhat well-known in his country, and surely any club back there would jump at the chance to have a player on loan from Arsenal. It all could work. Once Ben got famous and has played a few games for his country, he might be able to apply for a work permit again.

Wenger pondered over this for a while, then he decided

"I suppose this could work. You get valuable match experience without the homesickness, and can come train with us during the off-season. Sure, let's give it a go."

Great! Ben thought. There's a silver lining after all. His dream is not over yet.

retired_mudd

Enjoying this Ben, nice stuff :thup:

retired_rkp278

Thanks mate.

So it was decided. Ben was to stay contracted to Arsenal, but sent out on loan to a Singaporean League club. He would be paid 250 pounds a week by Arsenal, and will have to return to England after the end of each S-League season for intensive training, before being sent out again until he gets his work permit.

Using the many scouts and contacts at Arsenal, and some help from Ben himself, Wenger asked the S-League clubs if they were interested in taking Ben on loan. Of course, with Ben being a mini celebrity back in his homeland now, they all jumped at the chance. So now it's up to Ben to choose which club he wants to join.

Obviously, Ben chose the club that was located just outside his house, Woodlands Wellington. Mainly for convenience purposes (because he can simply walk home after training and matches) but also because he was a fan of the club somewhat.

And so, with the arrangements done, Ben was scheduled to fly back to Singapore. Waving goodbye to Chris, his caretaker during his brief stay in London, and the Arsenal staff, he boarded the plane from Heathrow to Changi Airport in Singapore. Little was he to know what would happen next...

retired_mudd

A cliffhanger?

That's just not on Ben

retired_rahalbob

ben stop with the cliffhangers... I demand conclusions

Great sory btw keep up the good working

retired_rkp278

Ooh, sorry. Am I not supposed to do that? Apologies if so.

Next update shall be soon (probably tomorrow). Need a bit of time to think how the story develops.

retired_6speeds

good story m8

retired_rahalbob

nah you can do cliffhangers. I was just messing

Patiently waiting for the next installment

retired_rkp278

Sorry but I'll try to get the next part up tomorrow. Last day of work busier than I thought.

Thanks for the comments so far guys.

retired_rkp278

Sod it. I'm just gonna sneak one in. Not like they're gonna fire me anyway. :p

On the flight home, Ben was constantly worrying about the reception he would get. He still thought of himself as a failure, and was expecting nobody at all to greet him. Or even worse, people to jeer at him for being a loser.

He tried to psyche himself for such a situation, but he had no idea how wrong he was...

Upon arrival at Changi Airport's Arrival Hall, he was suddenly taken aback. Not only was his family there to greet him, but there were hundreds of fans, shouting his name and giving him what amounted to a hero's welcome.

"I love Ben!", "Ben's the best!" were among the placards he could see. There were people clamouring for his autograph, and girls wanting to take photos with him. Ben had never gotten such attention before, so he was understandably awkward about it.

This is great, Ben thought to himself. But if he thinks he could relax now, he would be mistaken. It hasn't even begun yet...