80: The Rising Storm
Although Crystal Palace didn't have many players who could be called stars—apart from Kai —the sight on the sidelines immediately caught Wenger's attention.
This was a Championship side, devoid of star power. Yet with every offensive move they made, they filled the air with that kind of football precision that Wenger himself had always dreamed of.
Even when the players didn't follow Kai's exact movements, this genius could dictate and pass the ball with impeccable precision, forcing it directly to his teammates' feet!
Wenger was practically stunned, feeling a cold shiver down his spine.
Though he appeared composed on the sideline, his mind was racing just like the fans in the stands. His thoughts kept echoing:
How could that pass even be made?
How was that dangerous pass delivered so perfectly?
Why is his vision so terrifying?
The Arsenal fans were stunned, too.
That figure, wearing Crystal Palace's No. 10, with dark hair—he was like a superman on the pitch!
The Arsenal supporters were used to their own team's fast-paced attacking play, but now they were seeing Crystal Palace's offensive organization under Kai's direction.
Even the most explosive reactions kept coming—again and again—without pause!
On the field, Crystal Palace was controlling the game through smart, tactical movements that consistently stretched Arsenal's defense to its limits.
Kai stood in his No. 10 role, composed as ever, orchestrating and organizing play with remarkable ease.
Even Arsenal's youth-driven formation couldn't handle the constant shredding of their defense by Crystal Palace's relentless attack.
But what stunned the Arsenal fans even more was that Kai wasn't staying in just one position.
He moved between the No. 9 and No. 10 roles, switching dynamically with each step.
Wenger was completely shocked.
Here it came again! The "absolute No. 9.5" playing style!
Kai kept pulling Arsenal's defense in different directions, between the No. 9 and No. 10 positions, keeping them on edge.
At the 36th minute, Kai made an unexpected retreat, landing back in the No. 10 position.
In front of him, a golden line appeared!
He half-turned, welcoming the ball with ease, and then launched it with an outside-of-the-foot curve—delivering a powerful, no-look through ball.
The Arsenal fans in the stands jumped to their feet!
The ball sliced through Arsenal's defense once again, a surgical pass like a scalpel!
Koscielny, unable to turn in time, was completely left behind by the ball, which landed just out of his reach!
The ball was perfectly placed for Vaughan, who had timed his run perfectly.
Without hesitation, the Crystal Palace forward dribbled into the penalty box and fired a shot to the far corner!
Szczęsny was helpless as the ball pierced the net once again!
GOALLL!!!
2-0!
The score was now 2-0—and Crystal Palace had just scored an Arsenal-style goal to double their lead!
The Emirates Stadium erupted in a sea of chaotic celebration!
The Crystal Palace fans couldn't believe it.
Against Arsenal's youth-driven storm, they were now leading 2-0!
After the goal, Vaughan rushed toward Kai, cheering loudly.
Even the Crystal Palace goalkeeper sprinted up from the back, joining in the celebration.
Everyone came together in a frenzy of hugs, celebrating the unthinkable.
This was the FA Cup semifinals, and Crystal Palace was now leading 2-0 against Arsenal!
The ecstatic Crystal Palace players could hardly contain their emotions, hugging Kai tightly.
The players hugged their captain with joy and disbelief.
"KAI!!"
The fans erupted in a passionate roar!
They shouted the name of their young Eagle King like mad!
On the sidelines, the Crystal Palace coaching staff embraced each other tightly.
It was Kai again—breaking all expectations with another incredible pass!
Even here at the Emirates Stadium, this superstar still shone as brightly as ever!
With the goal conceded again, the Arsenal players could no longer keep their composure.
Szczęsny scooped the ball out of the net and blasted it skyward in frustration.
"Can we organize even one decent attack like them?"
The Arsenal goalkeeper let out a soul-searching question.
Koscielny and Sagna shrugged.
Walcott and Van Persie also looked helpless.
Fabregas turned away, back facing his teammates.
In the executive box, Kroenke let out a bitter smile.
"This kid… he's brutal! And to think I was about to throw hundreds of millions to try and sign him."
But soon after, Arsenal's majority shareholder revealed a look of excitement:
"To truly understand how terrifying his talent is, you have to see it in person. His potential is... beyond limits."
"Arsenal must get him!"
Back on the field, the match resumed again from the center circle.
In the final ten minutes of the first half, both sides exchanged attacks.
But clearly, although both teams were built around midfield offense...
Fabregas's silence only made Kai's brilliance stand out more!
Minute 44!
The final minute of regular time in the first half.
Another blow hit the Gunners' fans!
Following a swift transition after successfully disrupting Arsenal's attack, Crystal Palace quickly pushed forward!
The shift from defense to attack happened in an instant!
Though Crystal Palace didn't have elite individuals—their players only average in skill—in a normal setup, their speed and efficiency could never match Premier League sides.
But they had Kai, a midfield genius holding it all together!
With one accurate long pass, he launched the play again!
Using ultra-long-distance precision to shrink the vertical space of the pitch, he made up for his teammates' lack of speed when positioning!
On the sideline, Wenger felt another cold shiver up his spine!
This terrifying genius not only knew how to hide his team's weaknesses, but also how to amplify even the slightest strength—changing the entire course of the match!
On the field, under the fevered gazes of the crowd—
Kai's long pass found the advancing Clyne!
Clyne stormed down the flank, tearing up the wing!
After carving out space, he fired the ball into the center!
Kai sprinted forward to meet it—
And without even stopping the ball, he swept it in a curved pass!
The ball followed a golden line, slicing into the back of the penalty area!
Vaughan repeated the earlier play—cutting into the box, foot down, strike—
GOAL!
Szczęsny's goal was breached once more!
3:0!
The Emirates Stadium became a cathedral of celebration for Crystal Palace fans!!
A tidal wave of cheers erupted from the away stands!
Having scored a brace, Vaughan lost control of himself and lifted Kai onto his shoulders, running toward the stands!
The Crystal Palace players ran behind them, shouting and cheering!
In the stands, Arsenal fans fell silent.
One by one, they looked toward that young figure surrounded by teammates.
For a moment—
The fans of the Gunners even felt jealous of Crystal Palace.
Why did a Championship team possess such a world-class genius?
They were amazed by Kai's talent and ability.
But a different feeling also began to grow in their hearts.
A talent like his shouldn't be buried in the Championship.
He should go to a bigger stage.
To fill gaps, to chase glory, to write his own legend.
Under the night sky of North London—
A chant suddenly rose from the Arsenal stands.
It began with a few scattered voices...
But quickly merged into a unified cry.
On the sideline, Wenger and Holloway looked over in disbelief.
The Arsenal fans were shouting from the stands:
"Sign him!"
"Sign him!"
The 0:3 scoreline hung high over the Emirates.
But the Arsenal fans weren't booing.
Instead, a hopeful anticipation spread beneath the night sky of North London.
In that moment, they were completely in awe of the genius before them—
And they called out passionately for him to one day lead the lost Gunners.
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