chapter 48

At this time, the home fans were silent, while the away fans burst into applause and cheers.

Arsenal fans couldn't believe their eyes. The tall and burly Giroud had actually executed a bicycle kick in the penalty area and scored?

Before the game, they had expected their team to take the lead, but they never imagined it would happen in such a spectacular fashion. Arsenal fans erupted in applause for Giroud.

Many away team supporters in the stands shouted in excitement.

"This goal has to be the best of the season! I'd bet my wife on it!"

"The Golden Boot this season belongs to Giroud!"

"Who is Van Persie? We don't know him! We only know Giroud! He's the best striker at Arsenal—no, the best striker in the world! Long live Giroud! Long live Arsenal!"

The away fans' section became an ocean of joy. At this moment, Arsenal fans were the happiest people in England.

On the sidelines, Wenger pumped his fists in excitement. All the frustration he had felt over Van Persie's departure seemed to vanish, as if a door had been opened in his heart, letting the burden dissolve into thin air. For the first time in a year, the professor felt truly at peace.

Giroud sprinted from Manchester United's goal and embraced Wenger tightly. "Boss, I scored! I didn't let you down!"

Wenger, still elated, replied, "Keep going! You'll become an Arsenal legend!"

At that moment, Arsenal players Özil, Koscielny, Cazorla, and others rushed forward, wrapping Giroud in a tight embrace as they celebrated the stunning goal. They now saw him as their most trusted teammate.

Not only had Wenger shed his doubts, but Giroud also felt a weight lift from his heart.

Ever since joining Arsenal a year ago, he had been doubted. Aside from his teammates and the manager, almost no one believed in him. Everyone compared him unfavorably to Van Persie.

But now? He had scored the key goal! He was the hero of this match!

Giroud turned toward the away stands, roaring with emotion as he waved his arms. Arsenal fans responded with deafening cheers, showering him with admiration. He hugged his teammates tightly, savoring this glorious moment.

Meanwhile, in the North Stand, where Manchester United's most passionate supporters sat, silence hung heavy. The members of the "King of Magic" supporters' group were in shock.

"Wait... That actually went in?"

"That was pure luck! A complete fluke!"

"Still, Arsenal are leading..."

At that moment, Fatty Rodney turned to Cook with a worried expression. "Chairman, we're not heading for a four-game losing streak, are we?"

"What are you saying?" Cook bellowed. "Are you giving up just because they scored first? Get it together! We are Manchester United! The undefeated Manchester United! Now, let's raise our voices and drown out those Arsenal fans!"

His rallying cry reignited the home supporters. They unleashed a deafening roar, overpowering the cheers from the Arsenal end, showing unwavering support for their team despite being behind.

On the touchline, Jin Taige watched Arsenal's celebration, then turned to his two assistants. "That goal was unbelievable..."

Scholes sighed. "Honestly, in my entire career, I never managed to score a goal like that."

Ferran stomped his foot in frustration. "That was just ridiculous! The kind of thing that happens once in a lifetime!"

Jin Taige shook his head with a wry smile. "Even if you gave Giroud a hundred chances, he probably wouldn't score another like that."

Ferran asked, "What do we do now?"

"The first half is almost over. We'll talk during halftime."

The referee signaled for the Arsenal players to return to their positions. They slowly made their way back, with Giroud being the last to return. As he walked toward the center circle, he could still hear the applause from the Arsenal supporters.

When he reached midfield, Manchester United's players were already in position, waiting to restart play. Two players stood at the center circle, ready for kickoff. Giroud's gaze fell on Van Persie, who stood with one foot on the ball.

Giroud stared at Van Persie. This was only the second time in the match they had been this close—the first being at kickoff. He wanted to see something in Van Persie's expression.

What was it? Frustration after conceding? Jealousy over his goal? Regret for leaving Arsenal?

Giroud wasn't sure what he was looking for, but he kept staring, as if trying to see through Van Persie entirely.

Yet Van Persie's face was unreadable. There was no panic, no anger, no frustration. He simply stood at the center circle, waiting for the referee's whistle.

For some reason, seeing Van Persie remain so calm filled Giroud with a sudden wave of irritation.

I'm the main striker of Arsenal now. I'm Wenger's most trusted forward. I'm the fans' favorite.

None of that belongs to you anymore, Van Persie! You're just a traitor to Arsenal! Let's see if you can keep looking so calm when this match is over!

The referee blew his whistle. Van Persie passed the ball to Rooney and immediately sprinted toward Arsenal's penalty area. Manchester United launched another attack, trying to equalize before halftime. But Rooney's pass was intercepted by Vermaelen.

With that, the referee blew for halftime. Arsenal walked off the pitch with a 1-0 lead, their players cheerful.

Manchester United, on the other hand, walked off with a sense of regret, knowing they had work to do.

Van Persie was the last to leave the field. He walked slowly, not acknowledging any of the Arsenal players. As he passed the touchline, he saw Wenger talking animatedly with Giroud. The warmth in Wenger's eyes was unmistakable as he praised his new striker.

Before the match, Van Persie had wanted to greet Wenger at halftime. But seeing him so engaged with Giroud, he hesitated.

He said nothing.

He simply walked past and headed straight for the home team's locker room.

XXXX

Arsenal ended the first half 1-0. In the visiting locker room at Old Trafford, Cazorla looked at Giroud with admiration.

"Brother, how did you pull that off? That goal was pure class!"

Ramsey, who had a clear view of the moment, explained, "I was right there when it happened. Vidic and Van Dijk had him locked down, no space to turn, no passing options. But Giroud didn't even hesitate he met the ball perfectly, stretched his body, and just smashed in a beautiful bicycle kick! My God, if I ever score a goal like that, I'd talk about it for the rest of my life!"

Koscielny chuckled and teased, "Ramsey, if you ever score a goal that good, I'd start checking the news to see which famous person kicks the bucket next!"

Everyone burst into laughter. Even Wenger, standing nearby, smiled at the inside joke about the so-called "Ramsey Curse."

Wenger then refocused the team. "We're leading. No need to attack recklessly in the second half. Let's sit back a little, balance defense and offense, and use Giroud as our focal point for counterattacks."

"Got it, boss!" the Arsenal players responded, still buzzing with excitement.

Meanwhile, in the home locker room, the mood was tense. The players sat quietly, their spirits dampened. Losing three league games in a row and now trailing at home it was taking a toll on their confidence.

Jin Taige surveyed the room, then smiled. "Come on, what's with the long faces? That Giroud goal? Pure luck. Our tactics are sound, the defense is solid, and the attack is working. We keep playing like this, and we'll turn it around. Alonso, you're coming on for Evra to boost our width. Rafael, did you even play the first half? I barely noticed you. Get forward more and give Martial some support on the right. We'll attack aggressively but watch out for counters. Kante, break up their transitions as soon as they start. If you get tired, Jones is ready."

Then he raised his voice, his eyes full of determination. "Vidic and Van Dijk had Giroud locked down all half. I promise you he won't get another shot like that. We're at Old Trafford. When have we ever been afraid of Arsenal? Get out there and win this game!"

The whistle signaled the end of halftime, and the players marched back onto the pitch. Van Persie lingered at the back of the tunnel. He spotted Wenger in the distance, and for a moment, his mind drifted back nine years to when he first joined Arsenal.

Back then, he was just a 21-year-old kid from Feyenoord, labeled a "troublemaker," clashing with coaches, feuding with teammates. He had talent, but no discipline. He could've easily fallen off the map.

But Wenger believed in him, brought him to Arsenal, and turned him into a star. Eight years wearing the Gunners' shirt eight years watching captains leave in search of silverware. Vieira, Henry, Gilberto Silva, Gallas, Fabregas... and then, in 2012, it was his turn.

Like the rest, he wanted a Premier League title before it was too late. He let his contract run down, walked away from Arsenal, and put on the red of Manchester United.

And in his first season, he got what he wanted he lifted the Premier League trophy.

He never regretted leaving, but deep down, Arsenal had been his home for eight years. The teammates, the coaches, the fans it had all meant something. But that was the past. Now, his old spot belonged to that tall Frenchman who had just scored a stunner.

Van Persie looked down at the United badge on his chest, clenched his fists, and lifted his head.

I'm a Manchester United player now. No matter who's on the other side, they're my opponents. Old loyalties mean nothing on the pitch.

The second half kicked off, and United attacked with even greater intensity. Alonso, full of energy, was darting up and down the flank. Rafael, more involved now, was pushing forward dangerously. Together, they put Arsenal's defense under constant pressure.

Arsenal, sticking to Wenger's instructions, sat deeper, absorbing the attack while protecting their one-goal lead.

United's most dangerous player was Rooney. Dropping deeper to receive the ball, he found space to unleash several long-range shots, each one testing Szczęsny. If not for the Arsenal keeper's heroics, United would have already equalized.

Van Persie, however, was struggling. Koscielny and Vermaelen had him in their sights, denying him every opportunity.

As the clock hit 71 minutes, United were still searching for a breakthrough.

"This is looking bad," Ferran muttered on the sideline.

Scholes turned to Jin Taige. "Should we throw on Icardi?"

Jin Taige shook his head. "No. Taking Van Persie off against his old club right now would crush him mentally. We keep him on. Don't worry I've got a plan to break Arsenal down."