The King Of Arsenal

If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead and more, be sure to check out my Patreon!!!

Go to https://www.patreon.com/Tang12

___________________________

The game remained on a knife's edge. United attacked in bursts, Di María and Young stretching Arsenal's defense, while Arsenal's midfield trio worked tirelessly to maintain control.

The game remained on a knife's edge. United attacked in bursts, Di María and Young stretching Arsenal's defense, while Arsenal's midfield trio worked tirelessly to maintain control.

For the next 20 minutes, it was a relentless battle for supremacy, neither side willing to cede an inch. Every duel, every pass, every touch was contested like it was life or death.

Arsenal, sticking to Wenger's philosophy, attempted to dictate the game with precise ball movement. Özil and Cazorla were at the heart of it, exchanging quick passes under pressure, looking for openings. But United's midfield, led by the energetic Herrera and the ever-intelligent Blind, disrupted their rhythm with aggressive pressing.

In the 11th minute, Arsenal nearly found a breakthrough. Bellerín, sprinting down the right flank, received a perfectly weighted pass from Cazorla. The young Spaniard didn't hesitate, whipping a low cross into the box. Francesco, making a sharp run between Smalling and Rojo, lunged for it.

Contact.

But just as he connected with the ball, Rojo threw his body in the way, deflecting Francesco's shot inches past the post.

Francesco clenched his fists in frustration, but there was no time to dwell. Arsenal had a corner.

Cazorla jogged over, raising a hand as the signal. The ball was sent curling into the heart of the box, where Mertesacker rose above everyone. His header had power, but not the direction—De Gea was able to claim it with a clean catch.

United immediately launched a counterattack.

De Gea, seeing Di María sprinting into space on the right, hurled the ball forward with pinpoint accuracy. The Argentine controlled it effortlessly and surged forward, skipping past Monreal with ease. Arsenal were suddenly on the back foot.

Di María drove toward the penalty area, eyes scanning for options. Rooney, recognizing the danger, made a late run into the box. Di María feigned a shot before slipping the ball across to him.

Rooney took a touch.

Unleashed a strike.

Szczęsny dived to his right—just in time to push it away!

The ball spilled loose in the box, a chaotic scramble ensuing. Fellaini bulldozed his way forward, trying to pounce on the rebound, but Koscielny got a vital foot in, hooking it clear before disaster struck.

Old Trafford groaned in frustration. Arsenal had survived.

But the game wasn't slowing down.

Arsenal countered immediately, moving the ball upfield with urgency. Alexis, dropping deep to receive possession, danced past Herrera before playing a quick one-two with Özil. He burst forward, driving toward the final third with purpose.

United's defense scrambled to get into position.

Alexis spotted Francesco making a diagonal run, just inside the box. A perfectly weighted through ball followed.

Francesco, with Rojo tight on his back, took a quick touch to set himself. The angle was tight.

But he went for it anyway.

He struck the ball with venom, aiming for the far corner.

The shot was pure, slicing through the air.

But De Gea—again—reacted like a man possessed. He got the faintest of touches, pushing it onto the post before gathering the rebound.

Francesco let out an exasperated sigh. That had been so close.

This was turning into a personal battle between him and De Gea.

The match remained at a furious tempo, both teams trading blows. United attacked with directness, trying to use the width of the pitch, while Arsenal sought control through their intricate passing.

In the 17th minute, United won a free kick in a dangerous position after Coquelin was deemed to have fouled Herrera.

Di María stood over it, adjusting his socks as the wall assembled.

The Argentine took a deep breath.

Then curled a wicked shot toward the top corner.

Szczęsny was beaten.

But the ball rattled off the crossbar, bouncing back into play before being cleared away by Monreal.

Gasps rippled through Old Trafford. That had been millimeters away.

The game refused to slow down.

Back at the other end, Arsenal came agonizingly close again. Cazorla, finding space on the edge of the box, unleashed a curling effort that had De Gea scrambling. It looked destined for the top corner—until it swerved just wide at the last second.

Francesco turned toward Cazorla, hands on his head.

"What do we have to do to score?" he muttered.

Cazorla just chuckled, shaking his head.

United had their own answer.

A minute later, Di María broke free again, skinning Monreal and sending a dangerous cross into the box. Rooney was there, rising highest, getting his head to it.

The ball was flying toward the net.

Szczęsny was rooted.

But Mertesacker—somehow—got his head in the way, diverting it over the bar.

The stadium erupted.

The game was an all-out war.

Both teams were throwing everything at each other.

Francesco, despite his best efforts, hadn't yet found the breakthrough. But neither had United.

The pace of the game remained relentless. For a while, Manchester United began to impose themselves, taking control of the tempo. They slowed things down when needed, circulating the ball in midfield with Blind, Herrera, and Fellaini combining to keep possession, forcing Arsenal to chase. Whenever Arsenal tried to press, United bypassed them with quick passing, shifting the play from side to side.

Di María, growing in confidence, started demanding the ball more, drifting in from the right to dictate attacks. His movement caused problems for Monreal, who struggled to contain him. In the 21st minute, Di María found space and whipped in a teasing cross toward Rooney. The United captain, who had been locked in a physical battle with Mertesacker, managed to get a glancing header on target.

Szczęsny scrambled to his left, his fingertips grazing the ball, but it wasn't enough—it was heading in.

Then, out of nowhere, Koscielny appeared, hooking the ball off the line before it could fully cross. The Arsenal defender roared in triumph, slapping his chest, as United players raised their arms in frustration, appealing for a goal that never came.

Arsenal were under real pressure now.

United, sensing an opportunity, pushed forward in waves. Herrera had a shot from distance that swerved just wide. Moments later, Ashley Young drove in from the left and unleashed a curling effort that forced Szczęsny into a full-stretch save. The pressure was mounting.

Francesco, positioned high up the pitch, was growing frustrated. He could see United gaining confidence, and Arsenal were struggling to string together meaningful passes. Every time they tried to play out from the back, United swarmed them, forcing hurried clearances.

Then, in the 25th minute, everything changed.

Arsenal finally put together a slick passage of play. Özil, who had been quiet for the past few minutes, suddenly found space in midfield. With one quick turn, he shrugged off Herrera and drove forward, scanning the pitch.

Then he spotted the run.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had made a darting sprint down the right flank, exploiting the space left behind by Luke Shaw, who had been caught out of position. Özil wasted no time, threading a perfectly weighted through ball between the United defenders.

Oxlade-Chamberlain took off like a bullet.

Shaw, realizing his mistake, scrambled to recover, but the Arsenal winger was too quick. He reached the ball first, took a touch to steady himself, then cut inside, sending Shaw sliding past him with a feint.

He had space.

He glanced up and saw Francesco making a run toward the near post, while Alexis hovered in the center of the box, waiting for a cutback.

Oxlade-Chamberlain curled in a cross.

But it was too deep.

Francesco, despite leaping for it, couldn't reach it. The ball sailed past everyone.

For a split second, it seemed like the chance had gone.

But then—there was Monreal.

Completely unmarked at the back post.

The ball dropped perfectly for him. Without hesitation, he took a touch and struck it with his left foot, aiming low.

De Gea reacted instinctively, throwing himself across goal.

But this time—even he couldn't stop it.

The ball smashed into the bottom corner.

GOAL.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, the Arsenal fans erupted, their voices piercing through the stunned Old Trafford crowd.

Monreal sprinted toward the corner flag, arms wide, his face lit up in pure joy. His teammates swarmed him, Özil grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him in celebration.

Francesco pumped his fist in the air. It might not have been him, but it didn't matter. Arsenal had the lead.

The scoreboard flashed: Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal (Monreal 25')

United players looked around in frustration. Smalling shouted instructions, gesturing wildly. Rooney pulled his teammates together, urging them to stay focused.

On the touchline, Wenger remained calm, offering only a satisfied nod, while Van Gaal scowled, clearly displeased with his team's defending.

Francesco jogged back toward the center circle, catching a glimpse of De Gea, who was shaking his head in disbelief. Even the Spaniard, who had denied him twice, had been beaten.

The game had shifted.

United had been dominant for the last several minutes, but Arsenal had struck first.

United were furious.

Conceding first, especially at Old Trafford, was a wound to their pride. The moment Arsenal's celebration died down, United players were already gathering at the center circle, hungry to restart the game. Rooney stood over the ball, his jaw clenched, while Di María and Herrera exchanged quick words, likely plotting their next attack.

As soon as the referee blew the whistle, United came forward like a storm. They were no longer probing, no longer patient. They wanted a response—and they wanted it immediately.

Arsenal braced themselves.

Herrera received the ball from Blind and quickly played it out wide to Young. The winger, who had been a threat all game, wasted no time taking on Bellerín. He faked to go inside before bursting down the line, creating just enough space to whip in a cross.

It was a dangerous ball, curling toward the penalty spot where Rooney lurked.

Francesco tracked back instinctively, watching as Mertesacker and Koscielny both went up to challenge Rooney. The United captain got his head to it, directing the ball toward goal—but Szczęsny reacted sharply, diving to his left to parry it away.

The ball spilled loose.

Chaos in the box.

Fellaini, using his towering frame, muscled his way through, trying to get a shot off. He swung a boot at it, but before he could make clean contact, Coquelin threw himself in the way, blocking it at the last second. The ball ricocheted off his shin and spun wildly inside the six-yard box.

Di María saw it first.

He pounced, striking the ball with his weaker right foot.

For a moment, time seemed to slow.

Szczęsny was already scrambling to his right, arms outstretched.

The ball zipped toward the bottom corner.

But Monreal—already having the game of his life—lunged in, stretching out a leg.

The ball struck his boot and looped up, just over the bar.

Old Trafford groaned.

Di María threw his arms up in frustration, staring at the sky.

Arsenal had survived.

But United weren't done.

They won a corner, and Di María jogged over to take it. He whipped in a fast, dipping delivery toward the near post, where Smalling rose high, outjumping Mertesacker. His header had power, but not enough direction—Szczęsny reacted quickly, catching it cleanly before rolling the ball out to Bellerín.

Arsenal had a chance to breathe.

But only for a moment.

United immediately pressed them high, forcing them to play quick passes under pressure. Coquelin, calm under the storm, managed to wriggle away from Herrera and laid it off to Özil, who turned and spotted Alexis making a run down the left.

Özil sent a long diagonal ball toward him.

Alexis controlled it beautifully with his chest, cutting inside, skipping past Valencia. He darted toward the edge of the box, Francesco alongside him, making a run toward the far post.

Alexis hesitated.

Then, just as he looked ready to pass, Blind stuck out a leg, poking the ball away.

And suddenly—United were countering again.

Blind's interception fell to Rooney, who immediately launched a long ball down the right for Di María. The Argentine sprinted forward, burning past Monreal this time, racing toward the penalty area.

Francesco turned and sprinted back, watching as Arsenal's defense scrambled into position.

Di María approached the box, eyes scanning for options.

Rooney and Fellaini were charging into the area.

Bellerín rushed to close him down, but Di María had already made up his mind.

A quick step-over.

A flick to the outside.

Then he whipped a low cross toward the near post.

Rooney was there.

He lunged.

Contact.

The ball zipped toward the bottom corner.

Szczęsny dived.

But Koscielny, in a last-ditch effort, slid in—blocking the shot with his thigh.

The ball ricocheted off him and rolled out for a corner.

United's frustration grew.

They were creating chances, throwing everything forward, but Arsenal refused to break.

Francesco, still catching his breath, clapped his hands, encouraging his teammates.

They had to hold firm.

United took the corner quickly, Di María swinging it in again. This time, Fellaini rose above everyone, using his height to direct a powerful header toward goal.

It looked dangerous.

But Szczęsny, reacting like a cat, leaped across his line, palming the ball away.

The rebound fell to Herrera.

He struck it first-time.

It was heading in.

But Bellerín, standing on the goal line, threw his body in the way, blocking it with his chest before hacking it clear.

Another escape.

The clock ticked past the 30-minute mark.

Arsenal were under siege.

United were relentless, coming forward in waves, pressing high, forcing Arsenal into desperate defending. But Wenger's men held their shape, refusing to panic. They stayed compact, cutting off passing lanes, making sure United had no clear route to goal.

Then, in the 34th minute, Arsenal found a chance to breathe.

Francesco, tracking deep to help defend, intercepted a loose pass from Blind and quickly turned on the ball. He spotted Özil in space and played a simple pass to him.

Özil, seeing the opportunity, lifted his head and sent a beautifully timed ball over the top for Alexis.

Alexis took off.

Francesco followed, sprinting down the right as Alexis darted toward the box.

United were suddenly backpedaling.

Alexis had one defender to beat—Smalling.

He shifted the ball to his right, looking for an opening.

Smalling stayed with him, but Alexis kept probing, searching for space.

Then, at the last second, he flicked a pass sideways—straight into Francesco's path.

Francesco took a touch.

He was inside the box.

De Gea stood tall, arms outstretched, eyes locked onto him.

Francesco knew this was his moment.

One chance.

One shot.

He took a breath.

Then he struck it.

Hard. Low. Toward the far corner.

De Gea dived.

He got a fingertip to it.

But it wasn't enough.

The ball rippled the net.

GOAL.

Francesco turned and ran, roaring in celebration as the Arsenal fans erupted. His teammates swarmed him, Alexis jumping onto his back, Özil grinning as he ruffled his hair.

Old Trafford was silent.

Except for the corner where Arsenal fans celebrated wildly.

The scoreboard flashed:

Manchester United 0-2 Arsenal (Monreal 25', Francesco 34')

United were stunned.

Van Gaal, on the touchline, shook his head, clearly furious.

De Gea sat on the ground, staring at the ball inside his net.

Arsenal had been under immense pressure.

But they had struck twice.

Francesco stood near the sideline, breathing heavily, his heart still racing. He looked up at the stands, at the Arsenal fans chanting his name.

He had waited for this moment.

And now, he had it. United, though, weren't done. They were still dangerous. Arsenal had to stay sharp. Because this game was far from over.

________________________________________________

Name : Francesco Lee

Age : 16 (2014)

Birthplace : London, England

Football Club : Arsenal First Team

Championship History : None

Match Played: 19

Goal: 24

Assist: 12

MOTM: 7