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Chapter 44: Season Opener: Arsenal vs Sunderland ( Midfield Impact)
🕑 Added 2025-05-19 16:50:36 +0000 UTCOutside the coaching area, Wenger was visibly stunned.
Pat Rice threw an arm around him, grinning with excitement. “Did you see that? That was textbook! Clean, precise, and beautiful!”
But Wenger remained still, his expression locked in deep thought.
“Come on, Arsene.” Pat frowned. “Even if it’s not a goal, at least give us something.”
Wenger’s eyes were still fixed on Kai. He muttered, “He moved first.”
“What?” Pat asked, confused.
Wenger finally turned, brows slightly furrowed and said with slow, deliberate emphasis, “I—said—he—ran—early.”
“He started sprinting toward that spot just as the pass was about to be made. I saw it clearly, like he predicted it. It’s as if he knew that was where things would break down.”
Wenger crossed both of his arms and said thoughtfully. “This... this doesn’t even make sense.”
Pat blinked, then shrugged. “Who cares? That tackle was brilliant, and that’s what counts.”
...
Meanwhile, in the Sina Sports commentary booth, Zhan Jun shouted, “Unbelievable! That slide tackle—pure art!”
Zhang Lu, just as excited, added, “There’s more to football than goals. Sometimes, a tackle at the right moment can ignite a crowd.”
“Just look at the Arsenal fans right now—they’ve lost it!”
—
On the pitch, Kai let out a roar to release the tension and felt a surge of relief afterward.
Then he got to work.
“Arteta! Don’t just stand there, run! Even if you don’t win the ball, drop back and pressure.”
“Captain—shift closer to Gibbs and give him cover.”
“Gibbs.”
Gibbs raised his hand immediately. “I messed up my judgment. My bad.”
Kai gave a firm nod.
“Alright, guys! Heads in the game. Focus on the defense! If you’re unsure, look at me—I’ll show you what to do. Got it?!”
Arsenal’s defenders exchanged glances.
Vermaelen looked a little awkward. This was technically his job, but Kai had just done it.
After that sliding tackle, no one questioned it.
Seeing no objections, Kai nodded. “Good. I’ll take that as confirmation. But mess up again, and you are gonna get the bat.” He jokingly added.
Szczesny laughed loudly from the goal line.
But deep down, he felt it too—that unexpected sense of security.
For a goalkeeper, who often bears the brunt of mistakes, having someone like Kai in front of him was everything.
Kai had become Arsenal’s midfield wall.
If Sunderland wanted a goal, they’d have to break through two lines first.
Szczesny clenched his fists.
...
Sunderland earned a corner thanks to Kai’s earlier challenge.
Arsenal dropped back to defend.
When the ball was whipped in, Vermaelen cleared it smartly—straight to Kai’s feet.
Kai quickly turned and scanned the field.
No good long pass available—he laid it off to Cazorla.
The counterattack began immediately.
Kai had intended to push forward, but seeing Arteta already charging ahead, he pulled back and lingered around the center circle to cover.
He watched everything—opponents and teammates alike.
Arsenal was playing too hastily.
In their desperation to make up for earlier defensive lapses, they were forcing plays and rushing decisions.
Cazorla was dribbling aggressively, Arteta charging in... everyone was storming forward.
Too much at once, Kai thought.
Sure enough, Suarez lost the ball surrounded by three defenders.
Sunderland booted it away under pressure.
But Kai had already anticipated where the clearance would land.
He stepped up, cushioned the ball with ease.
A Sunderland player rushed toward him.
No tricks—Kai simply pivoted and shielded the ball with his back.
The contact echoed the Sunderland opponent.
Colback had tried to knock Kai off balance, but got his world rocked.
Kai kept the ball, moved left, and looked up.
Arteta came to receive, but Kai waited a few beats before making the safe pass.
At the same time, he motioned with both hands: “Slow it down. Don’t rush.”
Arteta nodded, exhaling deeply.
The forwards saw the signal and eased off, too.
“Let’s stay calm.”
On the sidelines, Wenger smiled at the scene.
This substitution had paid off instantly.
One key tackle, one calming moment.
Arsenal was finally back in control.
There was a clear skill gap between Arsenal and Sunderland, but they had been letting nerves get in the way.
Now the rhythm was back. Kai was pleased.
The midfield passed smoothly, and he dropped into his own half to support.
And still, he observed.
Pat once told him: A good holding midfielder needs to defend and distribute effectively.
To Kai, that meant seeing the options, reading who was positioned to make something happen.
You had to consider their skill, positioning, and potential impact.
Midfielders don’t need to score—they just need to deliver the ball to the right person at the right time.
Kai didn’t need complex analytics.
He could see what was about to happen.
He noticed Cazorla had begun to move—he was about to break through Sunderland’s lines.
That was the man.
Kai raised a hand. Arteta spotted it and passed without hesitation.
Without breaking stride, Kai hit the ball with the outside of his foot.
It sliced low and fast between two Sunderland midfielders, straight into enemy territory.
Cazorla darted from the side and latched onto it.
Only four defenders remained between him and the goal.
Cazorla didn’t hesitate. He drove forward.
O’Shea stepped up to block—but Cazorla feinted, twisted, and slipped past like a fish through water.
O’Shea lunged, missed.
Next defender—Cazorla flicked it past with a quick move and burst into the box.
Now the defense was crumbling.
Cuellar and Gardner closed in.
Too late.
Cazorla slid the ball across at the perfect moment.
Suarez sprinted in, toe-poked it just under the advancing Mignolet—
—and it hit the back of the net.
80th minute. Arsenal leads 2–1.
Suarez’s second goal of the game.
And a new hero had quietly emerged behind him.
