"We need to invest."
Usmanov's voice cut through the boardroom.
"We need new players. We need to strengthen this squad before things get worse."
The Arsenal chairman leaned forward, his frustration impossible to hide.
"Losing to Chelsea and then dropping points against Bournemouth? This is not acceptable. We are Arsenal. We cannot continue performing like this."
Silence filled the room.
The directors and senior executives exchanged uneasy glances.
This was not just another poor run of form.
This was Arsenal.
A club built on ambition, history, and expectations.
Usmanov had watched the recent performances with growing anger. The players looked lost, the squad lacked balance, and some individuals no longer appeared capable of carrying the responsibility that came with wearing the Arsenal shirt.
He wanted change.
Major change.
His eyes moved across the table.
Several executives instinctively looked toward the man sitting beside him.
David Dein.
The former Arsenal vice-chairman was one of the most influential figures in the club's history. His vision and leadership had helped shape Arsenal into a modern European force.
Even after leaving the club, his connection with Arsenal had never truly disappeared. Now, sitting quietly in the room, he remained calm while everyone else felt the tension rising.
David Dein adjusted his glasses and studied the documents in front of him.
Usmanov noticed.
"Mr. Dein."
The older man looked up.
"At a time like this, I expected you to support me. We both want what is best for Arsenal."
David Dein gave a small nod.
"Of course. But wanting change and making the right change are not always the same thing."
Usmanov frowned.
"How can we wait? We are already struggling. What happens when we start losing to teams we should be beating? What happens then?"
David Dein remained composed.
"Nobody is saying the squad does not need improvement. Recruitment is necessary. But changing the manager is another matter."
Usmanov leaned back.
"You honestly believe Pat Rice is doing enough?"
David Dein paused.
"I will admit that things have not gone perfectly. Pat understands that himself. But replacing the manager halfway through a season is not a decision we should make lightly."
"Why not?"
"Because timing matters."
David Dein looked around the room.
"First, there is no obvious replacement available."
"Second, whoever comes in would need to earn the trust of the dressing room."
He stopped briefly.
"And third, we cannot ignore Kai."
The room became quieter.
"Kai is not just another player. He is our captain. He is the face of this team."
David Dein's expression hardened.
"If Pat leaves under these circumstances, what message does that send? And what happens if Kai decides he no longer sees his future here?"
The reaction was immediate.
"That cannot happen."
"Kai leaving is impossible."
"He represents Arsenal's future."
Usmanov looked around the room, disbelief written across his face.
"So that is the decision?"
His voice became colder.
"This meeting would have reached the same conclusion whether I was here or not."
He stood.
"I see."
Without waiting for a response, he walked toward the door.
The conference room fell silent as it closed behind him.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then the tension slowly eased.
One executive sighed.
"Mr. Dein, are we really making the right decision?"
"He is still the chairman."
David Dein looked toward the closed door.
"Leadership is not about spending the most money."
He shook his head.
"Money can solve many problems, but it cannot fix every problem."
A director looked uncertain.
"And Pat?"
David Dein answered immediately.
"He stays."
A pause.
"At least until the end of this season."
. . .
Later that afternoon, David Dein walked toward the manager's office.
He knocked.
No response.
After waiting several seconds, he opened the door.
Inside, Pat Rice was sitting in front of his computer, completely focused. Headphones covered his ears, and he was studying reports on the screen.
David Dein smiled.
He decided not to interrupt.
Ten minutes later, Pat finally removed his headphones and looked up.
"David?"
He looked surprised.
"What are you doing here?"
David Dein shrugged.
"I came to check whether you were working or secretly enjoying a quiet afternoon."
Pat Rice laughed.
"As if I have time for that."
He rubbed his temples.
"There are reports everywhere. Recruitment plans, training schedules, injuries, tactics…"
He sighed.
"I finally understand what Arsène was dealing with all these years."
"When you are responsible for everything, it never stops."
David Dein smiled.
"When Arsène hears you say that, he will probably remind you that he handled it for over twenty years."
Pat smiled.
"He left me with the hardest part. I think he owes me a few favours."
The two men laughed.
Then Pat glanced at the clock.
"Wait."
He looked back at David.
"Is the meeting finished?"
David Dein nodded slowly.
"Usmanov left two hours ago," Pat Rice said. "I assume the conversation did not end peacefully."
David Dein gave a small shrug.
"He has his vision. I have mine."
He smiled faintly.
"You know me. I have never been someone who easily changes my position."
Pat nodded.
He understood that better than most.
David Dein had left Arsenal years earlier because his views had clashed with Stan Kroenke's direction for the club. Neither man had been willing to compromise, and eventually David chose to step away.
Now, Wenger had asked him to return.
That decision carried a lot of meaning.
"You know what he wants, don't you?" Pat asked quietly.
David Dein looked at him.
"He wants a change."
"A new manager?"
"Yes."
Pat nodded.
"Anyone in charge of Arsenal during a period like this would face pressure. That is the reality."
"He is too impatient," David Dein said.
Pat shook his head.
"Maybe."
He looked down at the reports scattered across his desk.
"But maybe he is right."
David Dein frowned slightly.
Pat smiled bitterly.
"I cannot find the answer, David. I look at the squad, and I see problems everywhere. I don't know how to rebuild the team properly. I don't know how to restore the confidence that Arsenal has lost."
He leaned back.
"The truth is, we need an experienced manager."
David Dein studied him.
"You sound like you don't believe Arsène will return."
Usually, that statement would have earned a joke.
This time, Pat remained serious.
"Because I don't want him to."
David Dein was surprised.
Pat continued.
"Not now. Not like this."
He lowered his voice.
"His health is getting worse. He was hospitalized again three days ago. Another setback."
He paused.
"This is the third time during his recovery. We cannot keep pretending everything is fine."
David Dein said nothing.
He had heard the reports. Although he could not visit as often as he wanted, he knew the situation was serious. Wenger's recovery had not gone as planned.
"So you believe we need a new manager?" David Dein asked.
Pat nodded firmly.
"Yes."
A moment of silence followed.
"Not just a new manager. A complete rebuild."
He looked toward the training ground outside the window.
"The entire coaching structure needs to change. New ideas. New methods. A fresh beginning."
Then his expression softened.
"The Wenger era is reaching its final chapter."
Neither man spoke.
They both understood what those words meant. For generations of Arsenal supporters, Arsène Wenger was more than a manager. He was the man who transformed the club.
He changed how Arsenal played, how players trained, and how the world viewed the club.
But every era eventually reaches its conclusion.
And accepting that reality was painful.
"We have to respect Arsène's decision," David Dein said quietly.
Pat shook his head.
"If he tries to come back right now, I will personally stop him."
David Dein smiled slightly.
Pat continued.
"I mean it. I would drag him away from the training ground myself if I had to."
"He has given everything to this club. He cannot destroy himself trying to prove he still can."
David Dein looked away.
There was sadness in his eyes.
. . .
At the entrance of Arsenal's office building, David Dein stopped.
He turned around and looked back at the building behind him.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
A mixture of emotions filled his expression.
Pride.
Sadness.
Regret.
Many years ago, he had personally brought a young French manager to Arsenal.
A decision that changed the history of the club.
Now, after all those years, he found himself standing in the same place, preparing to watch that incredible journey come to an end.
The man who helped create Arsenal's greatest era was slowly preparing to leave it behind.
. . .
Please leave a review and powerstones to help with the book's exposure.
Want to join Patreon and subscribe to 30+ advanced chapters?
Visit the link:
[email protected]/GRANDMAESTA_30
Change @ to a