The tempo was far higher than anyone expected. After Manchester City tried a quick surprise move, Arsenal responded with immediate pressure and gave them no space to settle.
From the opening minutes, both sides committed to a high-intensity battle.
"Speed it up. Break the line."
.
.
"Step higher. Press together."
.
.
"No time on the ball."
Le Kai ran the midfield and kept shouting instructions, his voice cutting through the noise.
There was an edge in his eyes. City wanted control in midfield, so he was ready to meet them head-on.
Three seasons in the Premier League had taught him one lesson early. If you played politely, you got pushed around.
In this league, hesitation invited pressure. Only by making opponents uncomfortable could you force them back.
That was why the Premier League broke players who lacked resolve or feared physical contact.
Le Kai understood his limits. His technique was solid, but he never tried to outplay opponents where they were strongest. He chose moments and weaknesses instead.
Right now, he had identified one.
Frank Lampard was thirty-seven. A legend, still respected, still intelligent. But the league had moved faster than his legs.
Le Kai stepped forward and demanded the ball.
Cazorla found him. One touch to the left, then Le Kai drove straight at Lampard.
There were no tricks. No feints. Just a sudden push of the ball and a burst of acceleration.
Lampard reacted instantly, turning and sprinting after him. But his body could not respond the way it once did. With every step, Le Kai pulled further away.
That moment mattered.
Le Kai broke free near the edge of the penalty area and slowed slightly, lifting his head to scan.
Di María was wide and marked. Not the option.
Sánchez hovered at the far post but had drawn defenders.
Suárez stayed central, Kompany tight to him.
Then Le Kai saw it. Suárez pointed subtly, half a step to his left.
Le Kai did not hesitate. He stabbed the ball forward with the tip of his boot.
As the pass went through, Lampard slid in from behind and took Le Kai down. The ball was already gone.
The referee signaled play to continue.
Suárez shifted left in one sharp movement, just enough to separate from Kompany. The defender reached out, tugging at him, but Suárez fought through it.
Even as he fell, he finished the move with a sliding shot.
The distance was too close. Joe Hart threw his body across the goal, trying to block with instinct alone.
The ball slipped under his arm and crossed the line.
Swish.
Silence fell across the Etihad.
Then Alan Smith exploded in the Sky Sports booth.
"Gooooooal."
"Arsenal strike first. Twenty-four minutes gone. Suárez with a brilliant sliding finish."
"And look at the build-up. Le Kai drives past Lampard and threads the pass. Wonderful play from the Great Wall."
"Suárez and Le Kai. This is why Arsenal are dangerous."
The away end erupted. Fans jumped, shouted, and grabbed strangers in celebration.
On the touchline, Arsène Wenger punched the air, unable to hide his satisfaction.
He had always believed in expressive football. During the rebuild, he had compromised when needed.
Now, Arsenal were finding themselves again.
This was no longer just about attractive football without solidity before Kai.
Arsenal still played with fluency and control, but now there was substance behind it. They could produce goals like this at full speed, under pressure, against elite opposition.
That was the difference.
On Sky Sports, Martin Taylor raised his voice as the replays rolled.
"This is where Arsenal have changed. The football is still smooth, still pleasing on the eye, but now it carries real weight. High tempo, quick decisions, and ruthless execution."
Alan Smith nodded beside him.
"They are not waiting for the perfect picture anymore. They see a weakness, and they go straight through it."
Martin continued.
"That goal tells you everything. The movement is natural, the passing is sharp, and the moment City hesitate, Arsenal strike."
"It is calm, but it is also aggressive."
Smith added, more measured.
"And it is not just Kai and Suárez. Look at the details around them."
"Di María holds the width and drags the full back away. Sánchez signals at the far post and pulls defenders with him. Kompany is left isolated, and that already favors the attack."
"Cazorla overlaps as well. If Kai delays even a second, Arsenal still have another shooting option."
"That is structure. That is planning."
Back on the pitch, Joe Hart stood near his goal, visibly frustrated. He glanced at his defenders, then looked away. He knew where the problem was, but he also knew better than to shout at Kompany.
City were feeling it now.
They were wary. Very wary.
Martin Taylor picked it up again.
"Compared to last season, Arsenal are far more proactive. You can recognize the old identity, but there are important differences."
Alan Smith laughed lightly.
"They are not trying to pass the ball into the net anymore."
Martin chuckled in response.
For years, Arsenal's football had been elegant but predictable. Too controlled. Too careful.
Now, it felt freer.
They mixed short combinations with early shots. They attacked through the middle and from a distance. They finished moves instead of extending them.
Long-range strikes. Quick one-touches. Late runs into the box.
All of it made Arsenal harder to read and harder to defend.
Even Manchester City looked unsure how to respond.
What made it more worrying was the balance of this Arsenal side.
Veterans provided calm. Young players brought energy. Kai led the group with authority and presence.
From back to front, there were no obvious weak points.
Even the defenders, once seen as vulnerable, looked sharper with proper protection in midfield.
Not even thirty minutes had passed, and Arsenal had already placed Manchester City under serious pressure.
. . .
Please do leave a review and powerstones, which helps with the book's exposure.
Feel like joining a Patreon for free and subscribing to advanced chapters?
Visit the link:
[email protected]/GRANDMAESTA_30
Change @ to a