David Dein understood Usmanov better than most.
The Russian billionaire had not reached the top by surrendering when things became difficult. After experiencing the prestige and rewards that came with Champions League football, he had no intention of stepping aside quietly.
Control of Arsenal's future was not something he would simply hand over.
If David Dein wanted to restore influence at the club, he needed allies. More importantly, he needed people inside Arsenal who still believed in the direction he was fighting for.
At eight o'clock that evening, David Dein arrived at a quiet residential area in London.
After confirming his identity with security, he drove through the gates and stopped outside the third villa on the left.
Before he could knock, the door opened.
Le Kai was already waiting.
The Arsenal captain stood there in a simple tracksuit, his dark hair slightly messy, looking more like a player returning from training than one of the most important figures inside the club.
"Mr. Dein."
David Dein smiled warmly and extended his hand.
"Hello, Captain."
They shook hands before Le Kai invited him inside.
Once they reached the living room, Le Kai gestured toward the kitchen.
"Would you like something to drink?"
David Dein raised an eyebrow.
"Cold water?"
Le Kai smiled.
"It seems you and Barnett have a good relationship."
David Dein chuckled.
"As vice-chairman responsible for transfers, maintaining good relationships with agents is part of my job."
Le Kai nodded and poured him a glass of water before sitting down opposite him.
David Dein took a small sip, placed the glass on the table, and studied the young captain.
"Kai, let me ask you something."
Le Kai looked at him.
"If you had to choose between supporting me and supporting the chairman, where would you stand?"
The question caught Le Kai off guard.
"I'm not sure what you mean."
David Dein leaned back.
"I know internal disagreements are never good for a football club. They distract everyone from what matters. But sometimes difficult decisions have to be made."
He paused.
"You can see the situation at Arsenal. Things are not where they should be. Some problems need fixing. Arsène believes the same, and that is why I am here."
Le Kai remained silent for a moment.
Then he answered calmly.
"Mr. Dein, I understand your position. I also understand the chairman's position."
He looked directly at him.
"But as a player, my priority is football. As captain, my responsibility is to my teammates. I need to make sure they have stability, confidence, and the right environment to perform."
He paused.
"I don't want to become involved in a power struggle."
For a moment, the room was quiet.
Then David Dein smiled.
"That is a very good answer."
He nodded approvingly.
"And honestly, it is the answer I hoped you would give."
David Dein picked up his glass.
"Players should focus on football. Club politics belong to the people responsible for running the club."
Le Kai relaxed slightly.
"I appreciate your understanding."
David Dein waved his hand.
"I only want this team focused on winning. Everything else will be handled."
Kai nodded.
Then, after a moment, he asked:
"What if I had chosen one side?"
David Dein smiled faintly.
"Then it would depend on whether you became an opponent or an ally."
He shrugged.
"If you stood against me, I would have to make decisions accordingly. Though removing the captain would never be an easy choice."
Kai laughed quietly.
"Thank you for your honesty. But I truly have no interest in taking part in this conflict."
David Dein stood.
"Fair enough. Thank you for your answer. I hope you continue to think this way."
"I will."
The two shook hands.
"Trust me," David Dein said. "Arsenal will find its way again."
"I hope so."
Le Kai watched as David Dein left the villa and drove away into the night.
Only after the car disappeared did he finally turn back toward the house.
Then came the sound of another car arriving.
A familiar laugh followed.
"Hahaha! Our captain!"
Le Kai stopped.
"..."
Inside the house, Le Kai poured himself another glass of water.
The bottle David Dein had opened was still sitting on the table.
A few moments later, Alisher Usmanov walked into the room with a smile.
"I have always believed we would make a strong partnership."
Usmanov sat down.
"You have the mentality and courage to lead this team on the pitch. With the right support from the board, Arsenal can become stronger than ever."
Le Kai looked at him but said nothing.
Usmanov did not seem bothered.
After a short silence, he continued.
"I think we need to work together."
His expression became serious.
"There are people inside this club who are damaging what we have built. They want to change the direction of Arsenal and take away everything we have worked toward."
He leaned forward.
"I have invested heavily in this club because I believe in its future. I will not stand by while someone destroys it."
Usmanov looked at him.
"And I believe the captain understands that."
Le Kai remained quiet.
Then he slowly shook his head.
"I'm not sure what you're referring to, Mr. Chairman."
Usmanov studied Le Kai for a moment before smiling.
"It seems I need to explain what is really happening inside this club."
Le Kai remained silent.
"They want Wenger gone."
The words immediately changed the atmosphere.
Le Kai frowned.
Arsenal without Arsène Wenger was something he had never seriously considered. For years, Wenger had been the foundation of the club. His influence went far beyond tactics and training sessions.
Replacing him was not a simple decision.
Usmanov continued.
"My proposal is simple. We appoint an experienced manager temporarily while Arsène recovers. When he is ready, we bring him back."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Then Arsenal returns to having the right structure."
He pointed toward himself.
"The chairman."
Then toward the empty space beside him.
"The manager."
Finally, toward Le Kai.
"And the captain."
"The three pillars of Arsenal."
Le Kai pressed his lips together.
Usmanov had carefully avoided the main issue, but Le Kai understood the situation.
David Dein wanted changes at the managerial level.
Usmanov wanted changes in the club's leadership structure.
Their goals overlapped in some areas, but their endgames were completely different.
Le Kai did not know every detail of David Dein's plans, but he was certain Usmanov had his own ambitions.
If Pat Rice left and someone else took control of the coaching structure, Usmanov's first move would likely be reclaiming more authority over transfers and weakening David Dein's influence.
Once that happened, the balance of power inside Arsenal would shift completely.
As for Wenger returning one day?
That was only a promise.
By then, would Usmanov really be willing to give back the control he had gained?
Le Kai doubted it.
The situation was far more complicated than either side wanted to admit.
He sighed.
"Mr. Chairman, I respect you, but I do not want to be involved in this dispute."
Usmanov's expression changed.
"You need to understand that our interests are aligned. We have always been working toward the same goal."
Kai almost laughed.
This was not a group of players deciding which side to join in a dressing room argument.
There was no "same side."
When they had worked together before, their goal had been clear.
Winning the Champions League.
That shared ambition had brought them together and allowed Usmanov to strengthen his position within the club.
But now, the situation had changed.
The fight was no longer about improving Arsenal.
It was about power.
And that was something Le Kai could not support.
"As a player, my priority is football."
Usmanov narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Even if some of your teammates are sold or pushed out, you would simply accept it?"
Le Kai's expression hardened.
The sentence could have been interpreted in two ways.
Perhaps Usmanov was warning him about David Dein's plans.
Or perhaps he was reminding Le Kai what could happen if he refused to cooperate.
Either way, the message was clear.
Usmanov wanted him to understand the consequences.
Since Usmanov had chosen to be direct, Kai decided he would be direct as well.
"Mr. Chairman, our cooperation has always been positive. I appreciate everything you have done for this club."
Le Kai looked him in the eyes.
"But I am Arsenal's captain."
"My responsibility is to my teammates."
"If anyone tries to harm this squad for political reasons, I will do everything I can to stop it."
He paused.
"Even if that means standing against someone I have worked with before."
For the first time that evening, Usmanov hesitated.
He had come here to gain Le Kai's support, not lose it.
Immediately, his expression softened.
"Of course. I understand."
He smiled.
"I would never want unnecessary changes either. We are working toward the same future."
Kai did not respond.
Usmanov understood the conversation had reached its limit.
He stood.
"I should leave. There is still a lot to handle, especially preventing certain people from making reckless decisions."
Kai stood as well.
"Then I won't see you out."
Usmanov nodded and walked toward the door.
After the chairman left, Le Kai remained standing in silence.
A few moments later, he looked out through the window.
*Sigh*
"This is going to become a disaster."
Arsenal's chairman and vice-chairman had officially entered a power struggle.
And now, both sides had begun reaching into the first team.
The players were no longer separate from the conflict.
Le Kai did not care about boardroom politics. He only cared about protecting his teammates and keeping Arsenal together.
Whatever happened next, that was his responsibility as captain.
. . .
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