South London was in turmoil—
but not from panic or protest—from pure excitement.
Countless Crystal Palace fans could barely contain their emotions.
And the reason was simple:
In the next round of the Premier League,
their Eagle King was coming home!
Kai's Arsenal would be traveling south for Matchday 17,
playing away at Selhurst Park.
"The Eagle King is returning to Selhurst!"
The excitement among Palace fans was off the charts.
Since Kai's departure, the aura that once surrounded Crystal Palace had disappeared.
Though the club had overcome its financial crisis,
Palace was still a small-market team—
hardly attractive to top-tier stars.
This season, manager Ian Holloway made modest moves in the summer window:
three midfielders and a striker, brought in to fill the massive void left by Kai and Vaughan.
Last season, Vaughan had won the Championship Golden Boot.
But Kai?
He didn't just share the Golden Boot—
he also claimed the Assist King title with more than double the tally of the runner-up.
He shattered records in the Championship—records that may never be broken again.
Losing Vaughan was manageable.
But losing Kai?
That left a gaping hole—one that could never be patched.
This season, without him, Palace had clearly lost their edge.
After 16 rounds of Premier League football, they sat in 16th place—
just two spots above the relegation zone.
Last season's FA Cup champions, Palace had even participated in the Community Shield to open the year.
Their opponent? Once again—Manchester United.
Only two months earlier, with Kai at the helm,
Palace had staged a 3–2 comeback victory over United in the FA Cup Final.
But now, with their star man gone?
0–3.
Crystal Palace could only hand over the Community Shield without a fight.
They'd lost their spiritual core in Kai,
and in the transfer market, they couldn't find a replacement with even half his firepower.
Once more, Palace had become cannon fodder.
But there was a silver lining:
Even cannon fodder, now, they were Premier League cannon fodder.
That, at least, was a step up from last year.
South London fans were filled with nostalgia.
It was Kai who had carried Palace to heights they never imagined possible.
From the outside, this Premier League fixture was seen as a milestone match for Arsenal.
And to the high-flying Gunners, it seemed like a routine win.
The English media were already brimming with anticipation—
waiting to see Kai, at the stadium where he was once revered as a king,
lead Arsenal to a record-equalling victory.
But not everyone was at ease.
Some outlets speculated:
Would winning this milestone match against his former club,
at the very ground where he had once reigned,
make Kai look cold or disloyal?
Would Palace fans turn on their former hero?
That fear, however, was completely unfounded.
To Crystal Palace supporters,
after sharing a season of sheer drama and glory with Kai,
their feelings toward him were beyond simple admiration.
It was devotion.
Even indulgence.
No matter what Kai did in South London—
they wouldn't criticize him.
On the contrary, they'd cheer him on with all their heart.
Palace winger Nathaniel Clyne, once Kai's loyal wingman,
summed it up perfectly in an interview:
"In South London, you'd better not slander Kai."
"Because if you do—believe me—not even the army can protect you."
Now wearing the Palace captain's armband,
Clyne's words spoke for every South Londoner.
Here, Kai was a totem.
A symbol of the city.
In all of South London,
his influence even surpassed that of the Mayor of London.
Every Palace fan was counting down the minutes until their match with Arsenal.
It would be Kai's first return to Selhurst Park in half a season.
For South London, it would be a scene of overwhelming emotion.
And finally, the day arrived.
December 15th.
The highly anticipated showdown.
Matchday 17: Crystal Palace vs Arsenal.
The entire English football world was buzzing.
As Arsenal's team bus departed from North London
and slowly entered South London's boundaries,
a wave of energy and anticipation followed them in.
Even Arsenal's players were moved by the atmosphere.
Compared to North London—home of Arsenal and Spurs—
and West London—where Chelsea reigned—
South London had always been the weakest part of the capital in terms of football pedigree.
And yet now?
It felt like the entire city had turned out for this moment.
Here in South London, the most well-known team was Crystal Palace.
However, Crystal Palace could only be considered a small club. A classic yo-yo team — constantly promoted and relegated — with dismal performances, and before now, it was impossible for them to have such a massive fanbase!
But inside Arsenal's team bus, everyone knew the real reason.
There was only one explanation for why South London was packed to the brim tonight.
And that was their captain — Kai!
Tonight in South London…
Countless Crystal Palace fans eagerly awaited his arrival.
They lined the streets on both sides of the road as Arsenal's bus made its way to Selhurst Park!
Nearly every single person was wearing a Crystal Palace No. 10 jersey.
As loyal supporters of Kai during his time at Palace…
The fans had long made sure everyone owned one!
Wearing the jersey Kai once donned…
They stood in the alleys and avenues, chanting his name and waving giant banners!
On one of the banners was an image of Kai in action at Selhurst Park during his Crystal Palace days!
Kai slid open the bus window.
As he gazed at the breathtaking scenes flooding South London's streets…
His eyes couldn't help but tremble slightly.
A flood of memories surged through him.
At one street corner…
He saw an image on a banner:
It showed him after a match last season at Selhurst, making a bold declaration to all Crystal Palace fans — a proclamation of their championship ambitions!
Another banner…
Showed him leading Crystal Palace in a dramatic comeback victory on the final day of the Championship season, clinching the title and creating a legendary moment — the miracle of Crystal Palace — with tens of thousands of fans cheering him on as their crowned king!
And then…
There was one image that completely moved Kai to his core.
It was a photo from the locker room.
Every Crystal Palace player sat on the floor, forming a circle around him at the center.
Placed in front of them were two brand-new trophies—
The Championship Trophy and The FA Cup!
That was Kai's final memory as a Crystal Palace player—
And one of the most unforgettable moments of his entire career!
At that very moment in South London…
As soon as the Arsenal team bus rolled by with the window lowered—
And Kai's figure once again appeared before their eyes—
The streets leading toward Selhurst Park absolutely exploded.
Crystal Palace fans went wild.
They erupted into a deafening, thunderous roar—
Pouring their voices into a single, resounding chant of his name!
"Eagle King!"
"Eagle King!!"
"Welcome home! The eternal prince of Selhurst!"
"Eagle King, welcome home! Here in South London, here in Selhurst—
You are forever our leader, our pride and joy!
Thank you for everything you gave us last season!"
"To face you in the Premier League is our greatest honor!"
Beneath the night sky of South London—
The wild cheers and chants echoed endlessly!
The moment they laid eyes on Kai again…
The Crystal Palace faithful completely lost control.
Almost everyone's eyes filled with tears.
And how could they not cry?
So much time had passed since they last met…
But the beautiful memories never faded.
He was the legendary Eagle King who led them from the depths of despair to the summit of glory!
He was the light that shone through their darkest days!
Their absolute leader.
The eternal totem of South London.
The Prince of Selhurst!
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