Giroud followed Kai's lead and didn't celebrate the goal.
A wave of applause echoed through the stadium.
The whistle signaling the end of the first half soon sounded.
With a 2–0 lead at halftime, Kai waved to the stands in acknowledgment as he walked toward the tunnel.
The media at the scene exchanged glances.
Everyone was deeply moved.
Although Arsenal fielded a rotated squad tonight, they still had Kai on the pitch.
Facing lower-ranked Crystal Palace, there was no doubt Arsenal should dominate purely by strength.
Yet, after Arsenal scored early in the first half, they clearly began to ease up.
The players on the pitch looked like they were simply enjoying the game.
They ran, passed.
They pressed actively.
But there wasn't the slightest tension between them.
Crystal Palace supporters in the stands were visibly emotional.
Many fans even had tears welling up in their eyes.
Back at Selhurst Park—their Eagle King had softened his heart!
The Eagle King couldn't bear to crush his former club.
Every Crystal Palace fan wholeheartedly believed—
If Kai had been facing Tottenham instead of Palace today...
Then before the first half ended, the Arsenal he led would've surely slammed in another three or four goals!
During the 15-minute halftime break, the media had already begun to build the hype around Arsenal.
If they won this match, Arsenal would equal the consecutive win record across Europe's top five leagues.
Creating a brand new legend for the Gunners!
The Arsenal fans at the stadium waved their arms excitedly.
Even the Crystal Palace fans were in a celebratory mood.
After all, with their Eagle King finally returning after so long...
To witness Kai reach another milestone in his career right here at Selhurst Park was something that deeply stirred the tens of thousands of Palace supporters present!
Second half.
In the 75th minute, Kai sealed the victory!
Once again, under the excited gazes of thousands of fans, he showcased his dazzling talent.
A sensational long-range, over-the-top through ball!
Perfectly directed, it found Walcott making a forward run.
The Little Tiger cut inside and burst into the box.
A calm low shot.
3–0!
After that goal, a stunning moment shook Selhurst Park.
Kai clapped to the entire stadium, then walked toward the sideline.
He was subbed off early for rest.
Wenger and Rice came forward to hug him.
Not far away on the Crystal Palace bench, Holloway and Millen also applauded with satisfaction.
In that moment, the entire Selhurst Park Stadium echoed with endless applause and cheers!
"Eagle King!"
"Eagle King!!"
All the Crystal Palace fans stood from their seats, clapping their hearts out!
Their eyes filled with reluctant emotion.
Time had flown by far too quickly.
This match was already nearing its end.
After half a season of waiting, Crystal Palace fans finally got to witness their former Eagle King in full flight once more.
But the next time Kai stood again at Selhurst Park...
The next time he appeared in the eyes of Palace fans...
Was a day far, far away.
Crystal Palace fans weren't even sure they could stay in the Premier League this season.
If they got relegated back to the Championship…
A Farewell Under the Southern London Sky
That's why tonight… might be the only time Crystal Palace fans ever get to witness Kai return to Selhurst Park in person.
Snow began to fall gently over the South London night sky.
Yet the crowd's passion surged like never before.
They chanted Kai's name with all their hearts.
Now wearing a thick coat after being subbed off, Kai stood on the sideline, continually waving to the fans in the stands.
Finally—
The final whistle blew.
Arsenal won 3–0 away at Crystal Palace!
At the sound of that whistle, Selhurst Park erupted with thunderous cheers!
A milestone moment for Kai and Arsenal was born!
Seventeen consecutive Premier League wins!
They had equaled the long-standing record that had been untouched for years.
Arsenal had now become the new holders of the all-time win streak record across Europe's top five leagues!
Both teams' substitutes rushed onto the pitch!
Arsenal's players swarmed the sidelines, enthusiastically surrounding Kai!
Even Crystal Palace players ran over, faces glowing with excitement.
Wenger and Rice, Holloway and Millen—
Both coaching staffs joined in the celebrations!
The media at the scene went wild.
Reporters were stunned—
They had never seen anything like this before!
After the final whistle, home and away players, fans, even coaches… were all celebrating together!
It completely overturned the media's expectations!
"The longest win streak in Premier League history has once again been broken!"
"And a brand-new all-time win streak across Europe's top leagues is born!"
At the commentary booth in Selhurst Park, the broadcasters were in an uproar!
"We are deeply honored to once again witness the Eagle King soaring at Selhurst Park!"
"Though tonight we stood on opposite sides, it changes nothing about South London's love and admiration for him!"
"Do you remember that phrase? No matter when or where—past or future—so long as that figure appears in South London, in Selhurst Park… these fans, all South Londoners, will give him the most sincere cheers and roars!"
A wave of applause swept through the stands!
"Congratulations, captain! It's a beautiful night. To play alongside you again—even as your opponent—I still learned so much tonight."
Clyne stepped forward and embraced Kai again.
Though he was now Crystal Palace's captain, in front of Kai, he instinctively used that word—captain.
Because last season, every Crystal Palace player had grown used to calling Kai that—Captain.
Players from both sides exchanged polite embraces.
The media sighed with emotion.
The post-match scene was easily the most harmonious in the entire Premier League season.
And finally—
Kai turned and waved to the stands.
"It's been a long time… What a wonderful night! I'm honored we could stand together once again and witness this moment!"
"Now it's time to say goodbye again. I know it's hard—for you, for me, for all of us. No one wants this moment to end!"
"But time doesn't stop. Our own journeys are far from over!"
He raised a hand and waved again to the stands.
The roaring cheers of tens of thousands of fans wrapped him in warmth and love.
"I hope next time we meet, we've all become better! Do you remember our slogan?"
Kai opened his arms wide toward the stands—his signature gesture.
And in that moment—
The entire Selhurst Park Stadium erupted into a frenzy!
All the fans, in perfect unison, roared:
"Heads high! No tears!"
"The journey isn't over!"
Under the South London night sky—
That electric energy surged on, unstoppable.
"I love you all!"
Kai waved one last time to the stands—
Then turned and walked into the player tunnel amidst a sea of applause and thunderous cheers.
Under the Selhurst Park night sky—
Tears and celebration blended into a melody of reunion long overdue.
And after this milestone night—
Whether it was Arsenal or Crystal Palace—
Everyone would now step forward with renewed strength, continuing their separate journeys.
~~----------------------
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