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Chapter 57: No Promises, Only Battle
🕑 Added 2025-06-01 15:37:26 +0000 UTC<<Arsenal Demolish QPR 6–0 Away – A Bloodbath at Loftus Road!>>
<<Uruguayan Magic – Suarez Nets First Hat-Trick!>>
<<Arsenal’s Resurgence?>>
<<A New-Look Arsenal is Here!>>
Following Round 9 of the Premier League, media outlets across England were abuzz with one name – Arsenal.
The Gunners dismantled Queens Park Rangers in a devastating 6–0 away victory.
Suarez bagged a clinical hat-trick, Cazorla added a goal and laid on three assists, while Podolski chipped in with a brace. Even Arteta got on an assist.
This match wasn’t just a statement – it was a declaration of intent. Arsenal’s revamped tactics were on full display: calm and composed when needed, lightning quick when it mattered. QPR simply couldn’t keep up.
And at the heart of it all stood the man wearing Arsenal’s number 4 shirt.
Kai's performance may not have included a goal or an assist, but anyone who watched the match knew just how vital he was. His vision, composure, and control over the midfield turned the tide repeatedly – and the fans knew it.
Just listen to the QPR commentator, exasperated and amazed:
"Who can stop Arsenal’s No. 4?"
That moment when Kai split the defense with a single sweeping pass into the danger zone, QPR’s structure fell apart. From that point on, it was all Arsenal.
For the traveling Arsenal fans, it was nothing short of euphoric. The energy in the away end never dipped. Every time Kai picked up the ball, anticipation rippled through the stands. Every touch made them believe—believe they were watching something special.
He didn’t score. He didn’t assist. But every pass felt like a promise.
A promise of something bigger.
Fans couldn’t predict his next move—yet somehow, whatever he did exceeded their expectations.
That uncertainty made them fall in love with him even more.
Kai’s defensive capabilities were already well-established—nobody questioned his reliability in breaking up opposition attacks. He had proven himself time and time again as a rock in midfield. But today, he gave fans something new to cheer about: elegance in possession. Inventiveness in transition.
One of his passes in particular left fans in disbelief.
“How on earth did he even see that?”
“And how did he manage to pull it off?”
These were the kinds of gasps and murmurs echoing from the away section every time Kai touched the ball.
It was, simply put, a complete performance on both ends of the pitch. And he’s only 18. Well, nearly 19 now—but still, so young.
Is this the beginning of a new midfield era for Arsenal?
The London Sports Daily dedicated an entire spread to the game. One bold headline read:
<<Kai – Arsenal’s Future Midfield Core?>>
And from what fans witnessed, that label didn’t seem like an exaggeration.
Arsenal fans welcomed the hype. They believed it. Now, they couldn’t wait for the next match.
The next match...
...
[Head Coach Office, Arsenal Training Centre]
In his office, Arsène Wenger sat in silence, studying the fixture list.
Round 10. Arsenal vs. Manchester United.
The rivalry between Wenger and Ferguson ran deep—equal parts admiration and animosity. Friends. Foes. Two titans of Premier League football. They had clashed, bickered, and respected each other across decades.
This fixture wasn’t just a game. It was the game.
More than anything, it was personal.
Last season, Manchester United humiliated Arsenal 8–2 at Old Trafford. It was a match that nearly broke the team. Only Robin van Persie’s heroics had kept them afloat through that dark spell.
But Van Persie was now on the other side.
Wenger's expression darkened. He still remembered what Van Persie said before leaving:
“I don’t want to become Arsenal’s enemy. If I leave, it won’t be to a direct rival.”
And yet, here he was—leading the line for the Red Devils.
So far this season, Van Persie has scored six goals and notched three assists in just nine matches. He currently tops the Premier League scoring chart.
Manchester United looked even stronger than they had last season.
Beating them would not be easy. Not at all.
Wenger stood up and walked to the window, gazing down at the training ground. The players were scattered, warming up and doing drills.
He murmured to himself:
“Do we have it in us?”
...
[Training Grounds]
On the pitch, Chamberlain was lost in thought, staring blankly ahead.
Kai walked up beside him.
“What’s with the daydreaming?” he asked, casually.
Chamberlain blinked and gave a sheepish smile.
“Just thinking about next weekend... We’re playing United.”
Kai raised an eyebrow. “So what?”
Chamberlain gestured animatedly. “It’s Manchester United! And now they’ve got Van Persie.”
Smack!
Kai gave Chamberlain a firm pat on the back. “Relax. We’re playing at home. What’s there to be afraid of?”
Ever since his debut defeat to United, Chamberlain had developed a kind of Red Devils phobia. Just hearing their name was enough to make him uneasy.
“Get back to training. Stop overthinking it.”
Kai turned and walked away, his expression calm, but inside, he wasn’t nearly as composed.
He knew better than anyone just how dominant Manchester United were during the 2012–2013 season.
Ferguson was still in charge, and Rooney’s leadership kept the iron-blooded spirit of the Red Devils alive—a hallmark of every Ferguson team.
Sure, in later years United would hit a slump and become the butt of internet jokes—The U-turn Express, History Merchants and Shitchester Yanited and all that…
But not now.
Right now, Manchester United is very much a force to be reckoned with.
Ferguson was still on the touchline. Rooney was still pulling strings up front. And now Van Persie, Ashley Young, De Gea, and more have joined the fray.
Kai had no illusions. He genuinely didn’t know how this current Arsenal side was supposed to beat them.
But the fixture was coming, whether they were ready or not.
...
2012/13 Premier League – Round 10: Arsenal vs. Manchester United.
The Gunners versus the Red Devils.
After being humiliated by United last season, this match carried a lot of weight.
If Arsenal lost again, it would only confirm what many had feared: that they were no longer contenders. No longer feared.
And to make matters worse, United now had that man—Van Persie—wearing red.
This wasn’t just another game. It was personal for every Arsenal fan.
There were too many reasons why they had to win.
The question was: could the players deliver?
...
That evening, Kai returned to Billy’s house to find him on the sofa furiously typing on his laptop.
Kai walked over, curious. “What are you up to?”
Without looking up, Billy muttered, “Fighting off Manchester United fans.”
Kai leaned in. Billy’s fingers were flying across the keys like a mad pianist—he looked like an internet-era Mozart.
“You’re trading insults online?” Kai asked, half amused, half exasperated.
Billy turned, clearly annoyed. “These United fans are ridiculous! They’ve flooded our fan site, spamming Your best player is with us now.”
Kai paused. His expression darkened just a touch.
That line stung—and not just for the fans.
Billy hammered away a bit more, then paused and looked over. “Hey… you think we can win the next match?”
Kai met Billy’s eyes. The man looked hopeful, but fragile, as if bracing for disappointment.
He knew every fan probably felt the same, knowing they were outmatched on paper but still clinging to hope.
Kai sighed. “I really want to say yes… but I won’t lie to you.”
Billy bit his lip. “So you don’t believe we can do it?”
“It’s not that,” Kai said gently. “We go into every game believing we can win. But belief doesn’t decide the outcome. I can’t promise anything.”
“Alright,” Billy nodded slowly. “Oh—Meadows told me to pass you a message. If we win tomorrow, you can head to the East Stand and throw three punches. That’s his gift to you.”
Kai blinked. “Three punches? At the East Stand? What’s that about?”
“No idea,” Billy said, shrugging. “He didn’t explain.”
Kai chuckled faintly. “Alright. I’m heading upstairs. Let Elena know I’ll skip dinner tonight.”
“Got it! I’ll let her know.”
...
Back in his room, Kai didn’t bother watching game footage. He simply lay on the bed, letting his thoughts drift.
The battle was near, and he could feel a pressure unlike anything he’d ever experienced.
He knew fans would be watching them with desperate hope in their eyes.
He could only imagine how electric the Emirates would be when kickoff came.
That night, Arsenal supporters flooded the club’s official site with a single message:
“This is our battle for redemption. Win it for us!”
