Chapter 50

In the final minute of stoppage time, Giroud stumbled behind Van Persie.

For a brief moment, the stadium fell silent.

Then, suddenly, the crowd erupted.

"Penalty! Penalty! This is a penalty!"

The home fans shouted loudly, their boos aimed squarely at Giroud.

Jin Taige and his coaching staff on the sidelines were quick to voice their opinions. "A foul from behind, malicious! It's a penalty, plus a red card!" they shouted.

The referee stopped the game and rushed over to the two players on the ground. After assessing the situation, he showed Giroud a red card for the dangerous tackle, sending him off the field.

Giroud, calm despite the circumstances, knew the moment he made the challenge that he would be sent off. Preventing a clear chance was a justifiable reason for the red card. He stood up slowly, no excuses offered, but remained on the pitch. He wanted to see if a penalty would be awarded.

After sending off Giroud, the referee pointed to the edge of the penalty area, signaling for a free kick.

Manchester United players protested immediately. Vidic rushed from the back to argue with the referee. "The foul happened in the penalty area! It should be a penalty!" he insisted.

The referee glanced at Vidic with a stern expression. "I think I can see clearly enough where the foul took place."

Arsenal's players also came forward, hoping to sway the decision. In the end, the referee issued yellow cards to both Vidic and Flamini for their protests, which put an end to the dispute.

The referee held firm on his decision and allowed the players to prepare for the free kick.

Rooney quickly helped Van Persie to his feet. "You okay, Robin?" he asked.

Van Persie nodded. "I'm fine."

"Good, then it's your turn to take this free kick," Rooney said.

Van Persie was taken aback. "Let me take it?"

"Yeah, I said earlier I wasn't feeling it today, and you said you'd take the next one. Did you forget?"

Van Persie remembered their earlier conversation, though he hadn't expected the opportunity to actually arise.

Rooney gave his shoulder a reassuring pat. "Go on, Robin, take this shot and let's make sure Arsenal leaves empty-handed."

Van Persie placed the ball on the turf, waiting for the Arsenal players to line up their wall.

Meanwhile, Giroud, walking off the pitch, was met by Wenger. He looked at the ground, feeling guilty. "Sorry, Professor. I got sent off."

Wenger waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, comforting Giroud. "It was inevitable. If Van Persie got through to the penalty area, the goal was bound to be dangerous. You did what you had to."

Wenger turned his attention back to the goal, watching the man who had once been Arsenal's captain the man he had nurtured for years now standing as an opponent, preparing to strike a potentially devastating blow.

Giroud stood beside him, eyes fixed on Van Persie from afar.

On the home team's bench, Ferran nervously fidgeted with his hands. Jin Taige, catching his anxiety, smiled. "Don't worry. I have a feeling this free kick will find its mark. We're taking all three points today."

Scholes, staring at Van Persie on the field, murmured, "I hope you're right."

The referee stepped forward, moving Arsenal's wall back for the third time. He warned the players that any movement forward would result in another card.

Finally, the wall was in position, and Van Persie stood calm, his focus unwavering. He knew the match was essentially over; the referee would blow the whistle as soon as the free kick was taken, no matter what Arsenal did to waste time.

For what felt like an eternity, Van Persie stood there, his mind flooded with memories: his first Premier League match, his first goal for Arsenal, his hat-trick, and the golden boots. Eight years at Arsenal had given him almost everything he could wish for.

Almost everything. The one thing he hadn't achieved was the league title.

Now, he was facing his old club, standing as their opponent. The years spent in North London were behind him. His mission was clear: secure the win for Manchester United.

Without hesitation, he took a deep breath, sizing up Szczęsny in goal. He stepped back, then sprinted forward. His left foot connected with the ball, sending it curling around the wall with perfect precision.

The ball swerved towards the top corner of the goal, and despite Szczęsny's desperate dive, it nestled into the farthest corner impossible to save.

"Look at that! Van Persie scores with his left foot!"

"Goal! Goal! Goal!"

The referee blew the final whistle, signaling the end of the match. A dramatic finish, with Van Persie's golden goal sealing the victory for Manchester Unitedcoming from 0-1 down to 2-1.

"Van Persie! The hero!" the commentator shouted. "He's turned the game on its head and given Manchester United all three points!"

On the touchline, Wenger stood motionless, as if frozen. His expression was unreadable, while on the other side, Jin Taige and the Manchester United staff celebrated wildly. After the final whistle, Jin Taige rushed onto the pitch, joining his players in a frenzy of celebration.

Old Trafford erupted. The stadium felt like it was on fire, with fans celebrating as if on a roller coaster. From despair to euphoria, the match had been a whirlwind. Fans screamed in joy, having witnessed their team snatch victory from the jaws of a draw.

As for Van Persie, his calm demeanor from earlier had disappeared. He rushed to the sidelines, dropped to his knees in a classic celebration, leaving deep imprints in the turf. His emotions, once held in check, now poured out as he reveled in the win.

It was the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new legendary career.