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Chapter 117: Championship Mentality?
🕑 Added 2025-08-08 15:26:57 +0000 UTC"Two straight wins! Hey! We got two straight wins! Hey!"
In the passenger seat, Chamberlain was in full voice, belting out a tune that didn’t seem to exist anywhere outside his head. He swayed in place, drumming on his knees, clearly carried away by Arsenal’s strong start to the season.
Kai, hands steady on the wheel, kept his eyes on the road.
After a few moments, Chamberlain glanced over.
"Next round’s against Tottenham," he said with a grin, as though delivering a grand revelation.
Kai gave the briefest of nods without looking at him.
"Oh, come on—give me something," Chamberlain complained.
Kai sighed. "What do you want me to say? If we were talking about Spurs from last season, or even the one before that, maybe I’d be a little concerned. But this year? Do you honestly think they’ve looked convincing?"
"They’ve won twice already," Chamberlain countered, leaning back in his seat.
"That’s just window dressing," Kai replied evenly. "The moment they face a serious opponent, the cracks will show."
Tottenham had indeed opened the campaign with two victories, but in Kai’s eyes, it was a short-lived illusion. Losing Bale had gutted their cutting edge, and while they had spent big to rebuild—Lamela being the jewel in their crown—no amount of hype could hide the transitional awkwardness.
Kai had studied their game footage. Against the top sides, he couldn’t see them holding up. A Spurs team from two years ago—or maybe one in a few years—might’ve given him pause. But this version? Not now. Not at the Emirates.
...
Matchday – Emirates Stadium
The crowd was buzzing long before kick-off, red and white scarves rippling in the breeze. Sky Sports commentary carried over the broadcast, with Martin Taylor and Alan Smith providing their measured yet energetic insight.
Taylor: "All eyes will be on Arsenal’s number four today. Kai’s been an immovable presence in midfield so far—two matches in and not a single opponent has dribbled past him. That’s extraordinary in the Premier League."
Smith: "Absolutely, Martin. He’s made seventeen successful tackles already this season, and it’s not just the volume—it’s the timing. He’s cutting out danger before it develops, and that’s priceless in a match like the North London derby."
...
From the first whistle, Lamela went after Kai. The Argentine prodigy, brought in for over £30 million, clearly carried his manager’s orders: break Arsenal’s midfield screen. Four times, he tried to take Kai on. Four times, he got bounced.
Taylor: "Lamela again… and no, he’s lost it! That’s the fourth time Kai’s stripped him of the ball today."
The Emirates roared its approval.
Two seasons ago, whenever the opposition ventured into Arsenal’s half, fans held their breath for the inevitable collapse. But now, with Kai patrolling the centre, they sat a little straighter, confident. The midfield was no longer a weak spot—it was a Great Wall.
Lamela’s frustration was obvious. After another turnover, he shot Kai a glare. Kai, unruffled, met his eyes and stared back until the winger looked away.
Another Spurs counter came, and Lamela demanded the ball with a snarl. His teammate obliged. But before the Argentine could settle it, Kai swept in, took the ball cleanly, and was already moving it forward before Lamela had finished cursing in his native language.
Kai’s interceptions had a galvanising effect on Arsenal’s attack. Suarez, Cazorla, and Wilshere swarmed Spurs’ back line, pulling defenders out of position. Finally, in the 78th minute, Walcott volleyed home a Cazorla header to break the deadlock.
Two minutes later, Wenger replaced Kai with Flamini. On his way out, Kai passed the captain’s armband to Arteta.
"Mantener la línea," Kai said in Spanish.
Arteta nodded with a bit of surprise.
Kai chuckled and made his way to the touchline, greeted by a standing ovation. Wenger embraced him briefly.
"Excellent work," the manager murmured.
Without Kai, Spurs tried again through Lamela, but Flamini and Sagna shut the door repeatedly. By the 85th minute, Lamela was hauled off, kicking a water bottle in disgust.
...
When the final whistle blew—Arsenal 2, Tottenham 0—the Emirates erupted. Three straight league wins and the derby bragging rights were theirs.
Outside, fans beamed into cameras.
“Who built a wall in the middle of the field?
KAI! KAI!
He don’t dive, he don’t yield!
KAI! KAI!
The Gunners cheer and rivals squeal—
‘Cause Kai’s the boss with boots of steel!
OHHHH KAI!
WHO BUILT THAT WALL?
KAI! KAI!”
"Lamela didn’t know what hit him!"
"Three games, not a single opponent’s beaten him one-on-one! That’s ridiculous!"
Another, face painted red and white, shouted: "This is a team ready for the title. You can feel it—it’s champion mentality!"
