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Chapter 111: Arsenal - The False Giants 2
🕑 Added 2025-01-23 17:33:38 +0000 UTCAlthough Tristan’s Spanish was far from perfect, his intonation was clear enough for Sánchez to understand. The Chilean forward glanced at him with a mix of surprise and amusement, his eyebrows lifting slightly.
“You speak Spanish?” Sánchez asked, his voice tinged with curiosity.
“I’m still learning,” Tristan replied with a casual shrug, his accent rough but passable.
The exchange was brief, but there was a deliberate intention behind Tristan’s decision to strike up a conversation. First, he was genuinely intrigued by Sánchez, having studied the player’s game countless times. But the second reason was more personal—an opportunity to practice his Spanish.
Sofia had always emphasized that language learning was about more than grammar and vocabulary; it was about immersion. While Tristan practiced with Sofia during their drives home, once she dropped him off, it was just him, Spanish songs, flashcards, and TV dramas. What he really needed, Sofia often reminded him, was real-world conversations—moments where he had to think on his feet and break out of the safety net of study materials.
At Leicester City, opportunities to speak Spanish were limited. That was until Esteban Cambiasso joined the squad. The veteran Argentine midfielder was a godsend—not just for the team’s midfield but for Tristan’s language progress.
“How long have you been learning?” Sánchez asked, his tone light but engaged.
“About a month,” Tristan admitted, a faint grin on his face.
Sánchez let out a soft chuckle. “Not bad for a month. Keep at it.”
Before the conversation could continue, the booming voice of the stadium announcer filled the tunnel, accompanied by the rumble of anticipation from the crowd. The match was about to begin.
Both players straightened up, the friendly exchange replaced by an unspoken shift in demeanor. The tunnel grew tense, the hum of competition settling over them. Tristan stole one last glance at Sánchez, who was now focused ahead, adjusting his armband with a calm intensity.
As the teams walked out onto the pitch, the roar of the King Power Stadium was deafening. The Leicester faithful erupted in cheers, waving blue and white flags as the players emerged into the floodlit arena. Tristan’s eyes scanned the crowd, the electric atmosphere fueling the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
Side by side with their mascots, the players lined up, shaking hands with their opponents as the commentary began. On SkySports it was hosted by Martin Tyler and Alan Smith.
"Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to King Power Stadium, where we’re in for what promises to be a thrilling encounter between Leicester City and Arsenal,"Tyler said, his voice warm and welcoming. "We’re about to witness a clash of two teams with plenty to prove. Alan, how do you see this one shaping up?"
"Well, Martin," Smith replied with a thoughtful tone, "you’ve summed it up nicely. It’s a fascinating match today. Leicester City, who triumphed in the FA Cup final against Arsenal last season, will be looking to show that their victory wasn’t a one-off. They’ve been in tremendous form, and they’ll be full of confidence, especially in front of their home fans. But Arsenal, on the other hand, will have revenge on their minds after that painful final. They’ll be eager to right that wrong."
"Absolutely,"Tyler added, his excitement growing. "It was a cup final that no one saw coming. Leicester’s fairytale run to the title last season culminated with that shock win against the Gunners. You can be sure Arsenal will want to make amends for that. But Leicester have been solid this season, full of fight and energy—something that always makes them a tough opponent."
"And let's not forget, Martin," Alan chimed in, his insight sharp as ever. "This Leicester side has been a revelation. They’ve got pace, power, and play with a real intensity. I’m particularly excited to see how Tristan performs today. The young man has been in great form, and it’s clear he’s growing in confidence with each match."
"So sit back, relax, and enjoy what’s sure to be a thrilling encounter,"Tyler said with a smile in his voice. "Leicester City against Arsenal—live, right here on your screens. Kick-off is just moments away!"
……
The King Power Stadium was electric as Arsenal kicked off under the evening lights. The tension in the air was palpable, with both teams carrying a sense of urgency and unfinished business. Arsenal’s memories of last season’s FA Cup final loss were fresh, and the Gunners seemed intent on exorcising those demons from the first whistle.
"And we are underway!"Tyler's voice boomed as the ball rolled. "It’s Leicester City against Arsenal, a fixture laced with recent history and no shortage of drama. Alan, what are you expecting in these opening moments?"
Alan replied, "Arsenal will want to stamp their authority early, and you can see it already. They’re pushing forward with purpose. Leicester will need to weather this storm, but we know how dangerous they can be on the counterattack."
Arsenal immediately moved the ball with speed, Özil dropping deeper to orchestrate play. With quick, sharp passes, the Gunners bypassed Leicester’s high press with clinical precision, drawing gasps from the crowd.
"Arsenal wasting no time here," Tyler observed. "They’re moving the ball with real urgency, and look at Özil already finding those pockets of space. Leicester need to be careful."
Tristan tracked back into midfield, his eyes darting between the ball and Özil.
Özil took a moment to scan the field before sliding a perfectly weighted diagonal ball to Sánchez on the left.
"There’s Sánchez, wide on the flank," Martin called. "And look at the space he’s in! Danny Simpson has his work cut out for him here."
Sánchez faced Simpson, his feet dancing over the ball as he tried to unsettle the right-back. "This is what Sánchez does best," Alan remarked. "He’s so direct, so dangerous. Simpson has to stay disciplined."
Simpson didn’t bite, standing his ground as Sánchez shifted his weight back and forth. Frustrated, Sánchez cut inside, drawing Simpson closer. Danny quickly stepped in to provide cover, but Sánchez was ready. With the outside of his boot, he threaded a stunning pass into the penalty area.
"Lovely ball from Sánchez!" Tyler exclaimed. "And Sanogo’s in here—can he make it count?"
Sanogo positioned himself to receive the pass, but Morgan had other ideas. Leicester’s captain exploded into action, muscling past the Arsenal striker to win the ball cleanly.
"What a tackle from Morgan!" Alan shouted. "That’s why he’s the leader of this team. Perfect timing there."
The Leicester fans roared their approval as Morgan cleared the ball upfield toward Cambiasso, who wasted no time lofting it into Arsenal’s half.
"And now Leicester look to break," Tyler said, his voice rising. "Cambiasso with the clearance—it’s fallen to Tristan on the halfway line."
Tristan sprinted to meet the ball, his chest cushioning it as he glanced upfield. Nacho Monreal was closing in fast, but Tristan wasn’t about to hesitate. With a quick flick of his boot, he nudged the ball past Monreal and surged forward.
"Brilliant control from the youngster!" Martin exclaimed. "He’s left Monreal in his wake, and now Leicester are on the move."
Tristan’s mind raced as he advanced. ‘Vardy’s running through the middle. Mahrez is out wide. Play it smart.’ He spotted Mahrez on the right, hand raised, calling for the ball. Without breaking stride, Tristan delivered a perfectly weighted pass to the Algerian’s feet.
"That’s a lovely ball from Tristan," Alan added. "The vision, the execution—he’s so composed for someone so young."
Mahrez controlled the pass effortlessly, his first touch immaculate. Facing Kieran Gibbs, Mahrez teased the defender with a series of stepovers, the ball seeming glued to his feet.
"Here’s Mahrez now, up against Gibbs," Tyler said. "He’s so tricky in these one-on-one situations. What’s he got up his sleeve?"
Mahrez feigned a move inside before darting down the flank, creating just enough space to whip in a dangerous cross. The ball curled toward the penalty spot, where Vardy had made his move.
"Vardy’s there!" Tyler shouted. "He’s up against Mertesacker—this could be it!"
Vardy rose high, beating Mertesacker to the ball. His header was powerful, aimed low and to Szczęsny’s right, but the Arsenal goalkeeper reacted brilliantly. Diving full stretch, he managed to get a strong hand to the ball, pushing it away.
"What a save from Szczęsny!" Alan exclaimed. "That’s top-class goalkeeping. Vardy did everything right, but the keeper came up big."
The loose ball spilled out to the edge of the box, where Tristan had continued his run. He didn’t hesitate, lining up a strike with his right foot.
"Tristan! He’s hit that well—" Tyler started, but his words were cut off as Aaron Ramsey flung himself into the path of the shot, blocking it with his body.
"Superb defending from Ramsey," Alan said. "He put his body on the line there. Arsenal showing their resilience early on."
The Leicester fans groaned in unison.
"This game has started at a blistering pace," Alan remarked. "Both sides playing with such intensity.
The first 15 minutes were a showcase of Arsenal's well-oiled, fluid passing game. The Gunners zipped the ball across the pitch with precision, Özil and Santi Cazorla orchestrating play from the center. Their movement was a masterclass in control, threading the ball effortlessly into dangerous spaces, keeping Leicester’s midfield and backline on high alert.
"Arsenal are playing some beautiful football here,"Tyler remarked. "It’s like a well-rehearsed symphony. Every player knows their part, and Özil, as usual, is the conductor."
Alan added, "Absolutely, Martin. Özil and Cazorla are at their creative best right now. The question is: can Leicester hold their nerve?"
Despite the technical brilliance on display, there was a noticeable kink in Arsenal’s rhythm—Alexis Sánchez's individualism. Every time the Chilean received the ball, the tempo of Arsenal's fluid attack slowed.
"Sánchez, so gifted with the ball at his feet, isn’t quite fitting into this passing carousel," Martin observed. "He’s holding onto it for just a bit too long, isn’t he, Alan?"
"Exactly, Martin," Alan replied. "You can see the frustration on the faces of Özil and Cazorla when Sánchez chooses to take on two or three defenders instead of moving it quickly. As brilliant as he is, it’s disrupting Arsenal’s flow."
Every time Sánchez faced the Leicester defense, the tension in the crowd ratcheted up. Leicester’s backline couldn’t ignore him, often committing extra bodies to shut him down. And yet, while their focus on Sánchez opened up pockets of space for other Arsenal players, it wasn’t making much of a difference for their lone striker.
"Sanogo’s having an absolute nightmare out there," Tyler said bluntly as the camera panned to the young forward. "He looks completely out of his depth at the moment."
Sanogo’s every touch seemed heavy, his positioning questionable, and his attempts to link up play were labored. Özil and Cazorla, despite their brilliance, often found their moves fizzling out as soon as the ball reached the French striker.
"Sanogo really isn’t cutting it today," Alan said. "When you’re leading the line for a club like Arsenal, you have to offer more—hold the ball up, make intelligent runs, and finish when the chance comes. Right now, he’s doing none of those things."
On the touchline, Arsène Wenger stood motionless, his hand resting on his chin as he glared at Sanogo. His frustration was evident, his mind no doubt replaying the injury to Olivier Giroud—an incident he had cursed countless times in private.
"You can see the frustration on Wenger’s face," Martin noted. "He knows his options are limited, but Sanogo is not giving him the performance he needs. And Alan, let’s be honest: if Giroud were fit, Sanogo wouldn’t be anywhere near this starting XI."
"Absolutely," Alan agreed. "But the reality is Arsenal need reinforcements up top. You’d have to think the upcoming transfer window is already on Wenger’s mind. Rumors about Danny Welbeck are swirling, and performances like this from Sanogo only add fuel to the fire."
As the 25th minute approached, Arsenal finally seemed to create a golden opportunity. Sánchez drifted centrally, spotting a gap in Leicester’s defense. He floated a delightful cross to the far post, perfectly weighted.
"Sánchez with the cross—what a ball!" Martin exclaimed. "Sanogo’s there! Can he make it count?"
Sanogo lunged forward, but the assistant referee’s flag was already raised. He had mistimed his run, caught well offside.
"Oh, no!" Alan groaned. "Sanogo’s gone too early there. That’s just poor awareness. You’ve got to stay onside in moments like that. Arsenal are shooting themselves in the foot right now."
Wenger’s head dropped as he shook it in disbelief. The Arsenal manager’s patience was wearing thin, and the cracks in his faith in Sanogo were beginning to show.
"This is a real problem for Arsenal," Tyler said. "They’re dominating possession, creating opportunities, but they have no cutting edge up front. And as long as Sanogo continues to misfire, Leicester will feel they can ride this out."
Leicester, meanwhile, was under siege but refusing to buckle. Wes Morgan was a colossus at the back, marshalling his defenders and throwing himself into challenges with the bravery of a true captain. Danny Simpson was relentless, tracking every Sánchez move, while Schmeichel barked instructions and made sure his box remained his kingdom.
"Leicester are defending for their lives right now," Tyler observed. "Look at Morgan—what a leader he’s been. And Schmeichel’s command of his area has been outstanding."
Alan chimed in, "It’s backs-to-the-wall stuff, but Leicester are thriving on it. Every clearance, every blocked shot—it’s lifting the crowd and frustrating Arsenal more and more."
The Leicester fans roared with every defensive action, their voices growing louder with each Arsenal misstep. On the flip side, the traveling Arsenal supporters groaned in disbelief as another promising attack ended in failure.
"The tension is rising here at the King Power Stadium," Martin said. "Arsenal are dominating, but they just can’t find the breakthrough. And you have to wonder, Alan, how long Wenger will persist with Sanogo."
Alan replied, "It’s a tough one, Martin. Wenger’s loyal to his players, but Sanogo isn’t delivering. If he doesn’t step up soon, you’d have to think his days in this team are numbered."
As the first half wore on, the question loomed larger: would Arsenal’s dominance finally bear fruit, or would Leicester’s resilience and Sanogo’s inefficiency doom the Gunners to frustration once again?
The Foxes began to wrestle control back from Arsenal as the clock ticked toward the 35th minute. Their relentless pressing paid off when Cambiasso dispossessed Özil in midfield. With a sharp turn and a touch that oozed class, Cambiasso surged forward, his head swiveling like a radar. Spotting Mahrez in space, he slid a perfectly weighted pass toward the Algerian magician on the right flank.
"That’s brilliant from Cambiasso!"Tyler exclaimed. "He’s rolled back the years with that tackle and pass!"
Mahrez collected the ball with ease, his mind already working two steps ahead. Nacho Monreal came flying toward him, desperate to make a tackle and regain possession. But Mahrez welcomed the challenge. With a flick of his foot—a move so smooth it seemed almost effortless—he executed a dazzling "Bergkamp turn," sending the ball rolling through Monreal’s legs and spinning away into space.
"OH, HE’S DONE HIM!" Alan shouted, his voice rising. "What a turn by Mahrez! That’s outrageous!"
"Monreal’s been absolutely bamboozled there!" Martin Tyler added.
The crowd roared, a collective gasp followed by a deafening eruption of noise. The King Power Stadium seemed to come alive, a sea of blue bouncing and shaking as Mahrez sprinted down the right flank.
Mahrez, unfazed by the chaos around him, kept his rhythm. His dribbles were smooth and deliberate. Ahead, he saw the Arsenal defense scrambling to recover. Per Mertesacker, towering but slow-footed, stepped forward to block his path, while Koscielny tracked Vardy’s diagonal run toward the box. Mahrez’s sharp eyes caught everything—Vardy’s movement, the gap opening in the middle, and Tristan quietly lurking on the edge of the play.
"What’s Mahrez thinking here?" Tyler wondered aloud.
As if in response, Mahrez feigned a left-footed shot, his body twisting just enough to freeze Mertesacker in place. Then, in one fluid motion, he shifted the ball to his right and rolled a perfectly weighted pass across the six-yard box.
"MAHREZ PLAYS IT ACROSS! Is there anyone there?" Tyler’s voice rose in excitement.
From the edge of the penalty area, Tristan had been watching, his mind racing as the play unfolded. This is it. He sprinted into the gap left by Vardy’s run, timing it perfectly to meet Mahrez’s pass. His first touch was exquisite, caressing the ball as he shifted it away from Mertesacker’s desperate lunge. Now, it was just Tristan and Szczesny.
The stadium noise swelled to a crescendo, the crowd holding their collective breath.
"Tristan’s through on goal!" Alan cried. "It’s one-on-one with Szczesny!"
Tristan’s thoughts were razor-sharp as Szczesny charged out, trying to narrow the angle, Tristan made his decision. With the faintest of touches, he nudged the ball diagonally past the goalkeeper’s outstretched gloves, sending it trickling toward the far post. The ball rolled agonizingly slowly, inches from the goal line.
"Is it going in?!" Tyler yelled.
Before anyone could answer, Jamie Vardy appeared, sliding in at full stretch to tap the ball into the net. The King Power Stadium exploded, an eruption of noise that shook the stands. Fans screamed, waved flags, and jumped wildly in celebration.
"GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!" Tyler roared.
"VARDY! JAMIE VARDY HAS DONE IT AGAIN!" Alan shouted over the din.
Vardy leapt to his feet, his fists clenched in triumph as he raced toward the corner flag. The fans were in absolute pandemonium, their roars echoing through the stadium like a thunderstorm. Flares lit up the stands, and chants of "Vardy! Vardy! Vardy!" filled the air.
"That’s his second goal of the season!" Tyler continued, his voice still brimming with excitement. "And what an assist from Tristan! That’s his fourth of the campaign!"
"Absolutely brilliant teamwork," Alan added. "Mahrez with the skill, Tristan with the vision, and Vardy’s there to finish it off. Leicester City at their very best."
The players celebrated as a unit, Tristan and Mahrez sprinting to embrace Vardy, their faces alight with joy.
The replays on the big screen only added to the euphoria. Slow-motion footage of Mahrez’s silky turn, Tristan’s composure, and Vardy’s instinctive finish drew fresh waves of cheers from the crowd.
"This is a goal that sums up Leicester City," Alan Smith concluded. "They’ve got skill, they’ve got heart, and they’ve got belief. What a team goal that was!"
"Look at that connection between them,"Tyler said, his voice barely audible over the raucous crowd. "These three are the heart of Leicester City’s attack right now."
"Absolutely," Alan added. "It’s not just the skill—it’s the understanding. They’re playing like they’ve known each other for years."
Not far from the trio stood Lingard, the young loanee who had played his part in the buildup to the goal. Lingard had drawn Arsenal’s Mathieu Debuchy out wide, opening up space for Mahrez to weave his magic. But as he watched the celebrations unfold, he hesitated. The goal wasn’t his; his involvement had been subtle, almost invisible to the untrained eye. He shifted awkwardly, unsure whether to join the jubilant trio.
Maybe I shouldn’t… Lingard thought, a pang of insecurity creeping in.
But Tristan caught sight of him, his eyes picking up on the hesitation. With a wide grin, he turned back and called out, his voice cutting through the noise.
"Jesse!" Tristan shouted, lifting his arm and waving him over. "C’mon, mate! That run you made was class—it opened everything up! Great job!"
Lingard froze for a second, his face a mix of surprise and relief. The weight of feeling like an outsider melted away in an instant
"Look at that," Alan noted. "Tristan isn’t just a great player; he’s a leader on the pitch. That’s the kind of thing that builds team spirit."
"And that’s why he’s so vital to this Leicester team,"Tyler added.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Arsène Wenger stood with his arms crossed, his expression a mix of frustration and contemplation. His sharp eyes followed every detail of the sequence—the buildup, the celebration, the team dynamic. This goal hadn’t been one of Arsenal’s intricate, well-crafted efforts, but it was devastatingly effective. Leicester’s direct and fearless style had cut through his defense like a knife.
"It’s simple football, but my word, it works," Alan commented. "Leicester don’t overcomplicate things, and that’s what makes them so dangerous."
Wenger’s thoughts, however, were focused on one player in particular: Tristan. The young playmaker’s decision-making, composure, and leadership stood out in every moment of the match. Wenger had long admired Tristan’s football intelligence, recognizing how seamlessly he would fit into Arsenal’s tactical setup. It was no secret that he had pursued Tristan during the winter transfer window, offering him the chance to join Arsenal.
But Tristan had turned them down even when he had personally called Tristan. Wenger’s face tightened as he recalled that moment. Leicester had made their stance clear. Even with a £60 million buyout clause, Wenger knew it wasn’t just about money—it was about loyalty, ambition, and the belief that Tristan could help Leicester achieve something extraordinary.
Wenger snapped out of his thoughts, his focus shifting to the tactical adjustments he needed to make.
"Arsenal have plenty of time to respond," Tyler said. "But Leicester… they’ve got all the momentum now. This game is heating up!"
……
The clock ticked into the final minute of the first half, the electronic board indicating one minute of added time. The tempo of the game remained relentless, both teams pressing hard to make one last impact before heading to the dressing rooms. Arsenal, desperate to equalize, pushed forward in waves, passing sharply through the midfield.
"Arsenal are probing here," Tyler said, his tone rising with the tension. "They’d love to go into halftime on level terms."
"Leicester need to stay disciplined," Alan replied. "This is a crucial moment—concentration is key."
Özil picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch, gliding past Danny. Spotting Sánchez making a darting run down the left, Özil threaded a perfect through ball behind Leicester’s defense. Sánchez latched onto it, his first touch immaculate as he drove into the box.
The Arsenal fans roared, sensing a moment of brilliance. Sánchez cut inside, ready to fire. But before he could pull the trigger, Morgan lunged in with a perfectly timed sliding tackle, sending the ball spinning out for a corner. The Leicester fans erupted, their cheers as loud as if Morgan had scored a goal himself.
"What a tackle by Wes Morgan!" Alan exclaimed. "That’s leadership right there—a captain’s intervention."
"That’s as good as a goal for Leicester!" Martin Tyler added.
Arsenal hurried to take the corner, knowing time was running out. Özil whipped the ball into the box, aiming for Sanogo. The striker rose above everyone, his header thundering toward the bottom corner of the net.
But Kasper Schmeichel was ready. The Leicester goalkeeper dived low to his right, his outstretched hand pushing the ball around the post. The save drew a collective gasp, followed by deafening applause from the home crowd.
"What a save!"Tyler shouted. "Kasper Schmeichel keeps Leicester in front with a world-class stop!"
The referee glanced at his watch as Schmeichel jogged to collect the ball for the goal kick. There wasn’t enough time for Arsenal to mount another attack. As soon as the ball was in the air, the referee blew his whistle, signaling the end of a pulsating first half.
"Halftime at the King Power Stadium!" Tyler announced. "Leicester City lead 1-0, thanks to a superb goal Vardy.But Arsenal are far from out of this—they’ve come close more than once."
Alan chimed in, his tone reflective. "Leicester have been fantastic—organized at the back, dangerous going forward. But Arsenal… they’ve shown glimpses. You can’t count them out."
The players began making their way off the pitch with the Leciester City players laughing and chatting.
In contrast, Arsenal’s players walked with heads bowed, their frustration evident. Özil, Sanogo and Sánchez exchanged hurried words. The French manager turned and made his way toward the tunnel, already formulating his halftime adjustments.
The camera panned to the fans as the broadcast went to break. Leicester’s faithful sang loudly, their flags waving high in celebration.
"Stay with us," Tyler said, "It’s been a thrilling first half, and there’s plenty more to come in the second. Leicester City lead Arsenal 1-0 in what could be a defining game in this incredible season."
………
Holy fuck, I rushed this chapter, I had a hour in between this my classes, let me know if they are mistakes, I will fix them as soon as possible.
Comments
noname_marco
Thank you sir 🫡
l K
🤝🏾 world class chapter gaffer
