The King Of Arsenal

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(A/N: Also everyone I have a new novel named “From Couch To The Inquisitor”, be sure to check it out and give some power stone)

…

The first North London Derby of the season was over, and Arsenal had won it.

Then several days passed after the North London Derby.

By Monday morning, the emotional intensity of the 4–2 victory had already begun to fade into the background.

That was the nature of Arsenal’s season.

There was never much time to live inside one result.

At London Colney, the players returned to their familiar routines. The derby had left its marks from sore legs, bruised shins, and tired muscles but nothing that prevented the squad from getting back to work.

Francesco arrived early.

The training ground was still quiet when he walked through the doors, boots hanging from one hand and his kit bag over the other shoulder. Outside, the grass carried a thin layer of morning moisture, and staff members were already moving equipment onto the pitches.

Inside the dressing room, a few familiar voices were beginning to appear.

Alexis was there first, sitting with one leg stretched out while speaking with Gnabry.

“Your face looks terrible,” Alexis told him.

Gnabry looked up.

“Good morning to you too.”

“You celebrated too much.”

“You celebrated more.”

“I scored.”

“So did I.”

Alexis smiled.

“Exactly.”

Francesco shook his head as he walked past them.

“You two are arguing about who celebrated more?”

Gnabry pointed at Alexis.

“He started it.”

“I did not.”

Francesco laughed quietly.

It was ordinary.

And that was precisely what the squad needed.

The derby was over.

The points were secured.

The supporters had enjoyed their weekend.

Now there was another fixture waiting.

The first session was largely about recovery. Players went through mobility exercises before moving onto light conditioning work. The coaching staff monitored workloads carefully, particularly for those who had played the full ninety minutes against Tottenham.

Francesco spent part of the morning working through controlled running drills before joining the rest of the group for ball work.

By Tuesday, the intensity increased.

Passing circuits became sharper.

One-touch combinations demanded concentration.

Small-sided possession games forced the players to react quickly whenever possession changed hands.

Wenger watched from the side of the pitch, occasionally stepping forward to correct a positioning issue.

“Again,” he called.

The ball moved.

Kanté to Xhaka.

Xhaka to Özil.

Özil released it wide.

Robertson advanced.

The sequence continued.

There was little wasted movement.

Later came finishing exercises, followed by defensive shape and positional work.

The coaching staff repeatedly adjusted the distances between the lines.

Lyon would not offer the same problems as Tottenham.

That was the point Wenger wanted the players to understand.

Different opponent.

Different environment.

Different demands.

The final session before departure was more tactical.

Arsenal rehearsed their buildup from the back, practiced pressing triggers and worked on how the attacking players could create space against a compact European defence.

Francesco spent considerable time moving between central and wider areas, linking with Alexis, Gnabry and Özil.

At one point, Wenger stopped the exercise.

“Don’t force the pass because you see it early,” he said. “Wait for the defender to move. Then use the space.”

Francesco nodded.

The session resumed.

By the time training finished, everyone’s attention had shifted toward France.

The derby was already becoming another entry in the season’s growing list of results.

Europe was next.

The Arsenal squad travelled to Lyon the following day.

At the airport, there was none of the heightened emotion that had surrounded the Tottenham trip. The players moved through the familiar sequence of security, boarding and luggage checks with the efficiency of a group accustomed to European travel.

Francesco walked with Alexis and Gnabry toward the aircraft.

Özil followed a few steps behind, headphones on.

Kanté was already speaking with Xhaka about the previous training session.

Once aboard, the atmosphere relaxed.

Some players slept.

Others watched films or listened to music.

A few gathered around their seats and talked quietly.

Francesco spent much of the flight looking through notes on his phone before eventually putting it away and resting his head against the seat.

Europe had a different rhythm.

The travel itself was part of the routine, but every away match carried its own atmosphere.

When the aircraft landed in France, the squad made their way through the airport before transferring to the team transport.

Outside, Lyon was beginning to settle into the evening.

The city felt different from London.

Quieter in places.

Older.

The players watched through the windows as streets and buildings passed by.

Nobody needed reminding why they were there.

The Champions League waited the following night.

Matchday arrived quickly.

The Groupama Stadium was already alive long before Arsenal’s coach reached the ground.

Lyon supporters gathered around the stadium in club colours, voices carrying across the approaches to the entrances.

Inside, preparations were already underway.

Arsenal entered through the players’ area and made their way toward the dressing room.

The familiar smell of fresh grass and cleaning products filled the corridor.

Staff members moved between rooms carrying equipment.

The Arsenal shirts were already hanging in their places.

Francesco found his number nine shirt waiting for him.

He touched the fabric briefly before turning toward the rest of the room.

“Another one,” Alexis said.

Francesco looked over.

“Another one.”

Alexis smiled.

“Good.”

The players changed into their training gear and headed outside.

The pitch at the Groupama Stadium looked immaculate.

The surface was smooth and closely cut, with the white markings standing out beneath the stadium lights.

Lyon supporters were already making themselves heard.

It was not the familiar sound of the Emirates.

The accents were different.

The songs were different.

The colours were different.

But the passion was unmistakable.

Arsenal began with passing exercises.

Short combinations.

Two-touch movements.

Players checking shoulders before receiving.

The ball moved quickly between them.

Stretching followed, then acceleration work.

Francesco completed several short sprints before joining Alexis and Gnabry for finishing drills.

Özil worked through passing sequences with the midfielders.

Kanté moved constantly, collecting loose balls and returning them with simple precision.

At the opposite end, Čech worked with the goalkeeping staff.

His return was immediately noticeable.

He moved through the warm-up with the familiar calm that had been absent at the Emirates against Tottenham.

Raya, meanwhile, completed his own preparations nearby.

There was no awkwardness between them.

Čech had been ill.

Raya had stepped in.

Now Čech was ready again.

When the warm-up ended, the players jogged back toward the tunnel.

As the noise followed them.

Back inside the dressing room, the atmosphere changed.

Training tops disappeared.

Match shirts were pulled over shoulders.

Socks were adjusted.

Boots tightened.

Tape was checked.

The casual conversation gradually diminished.

Francesco sat for a moment with his elbows resting on his knees.

Then the door opened.

Wenger entered with his coaching staff.

The room settled.

“Petr returns tonight,” Wenger said.

Čech looked up.

“You’ve recovered properly, Petr. You start.”

The goalkeeper nodded.

Wenger then turned toward the tactical board.

“The rest of the team remains unchanged.”

He pointed through the positions.

“Petr Čech. Robertson, Van Dijk, Koscielny, Walker. Kanté, Xhaka. Özil. Alexis, Gnabry, Francesco.”

The players acknowledged their positions.

Wenger continued.

“Lyon will give us a different game.”

He indicated the opposition setup.

“Anthony Lopes in goal. Ferland Mendy, Marçal, Marcelo, Jason Denayer, Rafael. Aouar and Ndombele in midfield. Memphis Depay, Maxwel Cornet, and Nabil Fekir as captain.”

He paused.

“Fekir is the player who can change the rhythm. He will come toward the ball, turn, and attack the spaces around our midfield. Aouar and Ndombele give them mobility and physical strength. Depay can move inside. Cornet will attack quickly when the space opens.”

Wenger looked around the room.

“We don’t need to chase the match. We need to play it.”

Francesco nodded.

The message was simple.

Be patient.

Be precise.

Be ready.

The tunnel was already crowded when Arsenal arrived.

Lyon stood opposite them.

Fekir was near the front, captain’s armband wrapped around his arm.

Francesco stood among his teammates.

The Champions League atmosphere seemed to press inward from the stadium beyond the tunnel.

Players shifted from foot to foot.

A few exchanged brief words.

Then the referee appeared.

Both teams moved forward.

The doors opened.

The stadium lights seemed brighter from the tunnel.

The teams lined up beside the officials as the Champions League anthem began.

The familiar music rolled around the Groupama Stadium.

Lyon supporters raised scarves and flags.

Arsenal’s travelling supporters answered from their section.

Francesco looked toward the stands for a moment before returning his attention to the ceremony.

The anthem finished.

Handshakes followed.

Referees.

Opponents.

Fekir greeted Francesco.

“Good luck.”

“You too.”

The players then gathered for the official starting-eleven photographs.

Francesco stood among his teammates, expression composed.

Once the photographs were finished, the captains walked toward the centre circle.

The referee held the coin.

“Call.”

Fekir answered.

“Right.”

The coin landed.

Lyon had won.

“Kickoff,” the referee confirmed.

Fekir nodded and returned toward his teammates.

Francesco turned toward Arsenal’s half.

The players took their positions.

The stadium waited.

Then the whistle sounded.

Lyon began aggressively.

Fekir immediately dropped toward midfield to receive the first pass.

Kanté followed his movement without overcommitting.

Fekir shifted the ball toward Ndombele, who attempted to drive through the centre.

Xhaka stepped across.

The challenge was clean.

The ball moved toward Özil.

Arsenal tried to establish possession.

But Lyon pressed high.

Aouar closed Kanté.

Cornet chased Robertson.

Depay moved toward Van Dijk whenever the Dutch defender received.

The opening minutes were fast and physical without becoming chaotic.

Arsenal’s first meaningful attack came through the right.

Walker exchanged passes with Gnabry before finding Özil.

Özil lifted his head.

Francesco had drifted toward the left channel.

A quick diagonal ball followed.

Francesco brought it down under pressure from Denayer.

He tried to turn.

Marcelo stepped across and forced him to release the ball backward.

Arsenal recycled.

The game settled.

Then Lyon attacked.

Aouar carried the ball through midfield and found Fekir.

Fekir turned between Xhaka and Kanté.

Depay immediately ran beyond him.

Fekir’s pass was perfectly weighted.

Walker recovered quickly enough to challenge Depay before he could enter the area.

The ball went out for a throw.

Depay clapped his hands in frustration.

The match continued.

Neither side could dominate for long.

Lyon’s midfield had technical quality.

Arsenal had greater control whenever Özil found room.

Kanté repeatedly appeared where Lyon hoped there would be space.

Xhaka helped move the ball away from pressure.

Alexis drifted inward.

Gnabry stretched the right side.

Francesco kept moving across the front line, forcing Denayer and Marcelo to communicate.

At the 20-minute mark, Čech was called into action.

Fekir received near the edge of the penalty area and shifted onto his left foot.

His shot was low.

Čech dropped quickly and pushed it away.

Van Dijk cleared the rebound.

The Lyon supporters groaned.

Arsenal responded immediately.

Özil found Alexis between the lines.

Alexis turned and played Gnabry into space.

Gnabry crossed early.

Francesco attacked the delivery.

Marcelo reached it first.

His header only went as far as Xhaka.

The midfielder struck from distance.

Lopes caught it comfortably.

The game remained finely balanced.

Then came the 27th minute.

Lyon had possession near the centre circle when Kanté stepped in front of Aouar and won the ball cleanly.

Rather than playing forward immediately, he gave it to Xhaka.

Xhaka drew Ndombele toward him.

Then he found Özil.

The German received with Fekir closing.

One touch.

Second touch.

He turned away from pressure and carried the ball toward the right side.

Gnabry moved toward the touchline, taking Mendy with him.

Alexis drifted inward.

Francesco recognized the opening before Lyon’s defenders did.

He moved diagonally toward the space between Marcelo and Denayer.

Özil saw him.

The pass came low and slightly ahead of Francesco.

Francesco reached it just before Denayer.

Instead of shooting first time, he took a delicate touch across his body.

That small movement changed everything.

Denayer committed.

Francesco went the other way.

Lopes stepped forward to narrow the angle.

Francesco kept his composure.

He opened his body and lifted the ball over the goalkeeper with a controlled finish.

Lopes stretched backward.

His fingertips came close.

But the ball continued beyond him and dropped into the far side of the net.

1–0 Arsenal.

For a moment, the travelling supporters seemed to forget where they were.

Then their section erupted.

Francesco turned toward them with both arms raised.

Alexis reached him first.

Gnabry arrived moments later.

Özil followed, smiling.

Francesco pointed toward the German.

“Great ball.”

Özil shrugged.

“You did the difficult part.”

Alexis laughed.

“Good finish.”

Francesco smiled before looking back toward the centre circle.

Lyon had already collected the ball.

Fekir was calling his teammates forward.

The match was nowhere near finished.

⸻

The goal changed Lyon’s urgency.

They pushed higher.

Ndombele began carrying the ball more aggressively.

Aouar moved closer to Fekir.

Depay drifted inside from the left, looking for opportunities to isolate Walker or Koscielny.

Cornet stayed wide.

Arsenal had to defend properly.

At 31 minutes, Depay found Fekir outside the area.

Fekir’s first attempt was blocked by Van Dijk.

The rebound fell to Aouar.

Kanté arrived before he could shoot.

The French midfielder simply took the ball away.

A few minutes later, Lyon threatened again.

Cornet accelerated past Robertson and crossed toward the near post.

Čech moved quickly and gathered it before Depay could arrive.

“Good,” Van Dijk called.

Čech immediately released the ball.

Arsenal tried to counter.

Gnabry carried it thirty yards before finding Francesco.

Francesco held off Denayer and waited for Alexis.

The pass came.

Alexis shot.

Lopes saved.

The rebound was cleared by Marcelo.

The pace remained relentless.

By the final ten minutes, Lyon were beginning to test Arsenal’s defensive concentration.

Fekir found pockets.

Depay threatened behind the full-backs.

Ndombele pressed forward.

Yet Arsenal continued to answer.

Robertson made a crucial interception.

Walker recovered from a high position to stop Cornet.

Koscielny blocked a cross.

Van Dijk won another aerial duel with Depay.

Kanté and Xhaka kept narrowing the central spaces.

Özil continued to offer an escape route whenever Arsenal needed to breathe.

Francesco remained involved, occasionally dropping deep before turning and moving forward again.

Lyon had chances.

Arsenal had chances.

Neither could find another goal.

When the fourth official indicated added time, Arsenal were still ahead.

Čech gathered one final Lyon cross and held the ball against his chest.

The referee checked his watch.

Then blew for halftime.

Arsenal walked toward the tunnel with a 1–0 lead.

There was no wild celebration.

The job was only half done.

Inside the dressing room, the players took water and towels while the staff moved around them.

Wenger entered a few moments later.

He looked at the scoreboard information on the wall before facing his players.

“That was good,” he said.

Nobody spoke.

“You have played with discipline. We have moved the ball well, we have defended our spaces, and when the opportunity came, we took it.”

He paused.

“But this is Lyon. One goal is not enough to make us comfortable.”

Francesco nodded.

Wenger continued.

“They will increase the pressure. They will try to make us rush. Don’t allow them to change the way we play.”

He pointed toward the tactical board.

“There is no reason to abandon what is working.”

His voice remained calm.

“Continue playing the football you have shown in the first half. Keep the passing quality. Keep the movement. Keep the distances between the lines. When Lyon press, stay composed. If the opportunity to attack appears, take it.”

He looked around the room.

“Do not become passive because we are ahead.”

Kanté nodded.

Xhaka leaned forward.

Alexis wiped his face with a towel.

Francesco sat quietly for another moment, absorbing the instructions.

One goal separated the sides.

The stadium outside was still alive.

The second half would bring another test.

Wenger finished simply.

“Stay together. Play our game.”

The players began preparing to return to the pitch.

Boots were checked.

Shirts straightened.

Water bottles were left behind.

Francesco stood and looked around the room.

The lead was theirs.

But nobody treated it as safe.

Arsenal had come to Lyon for another European night.

At halftime, they had exactly what they wanted.

A 1–0 advantage.

And Francesco Lee’s 27th-minute goal had given them the platform.

Then the second half began without ceremony.

Arsenal emerged from the tunnel first, with Lyon following moments later. The sound inside the Groupama Stadium had not diminished during the interval. If anything, the home supporters had found another level of urgency after seeing their team go into halftime behind.

Francesco took his place up front.

Özil stood a little deeper.

Alexis and Gnabry positioned themselves on either side of the attacking line, ready to move once the ball began circulating.

The referee checked his watch.

Then the whistle sent the match forward again.

Lyon immediately tried to impose themselves.

Fekir dropped toward Ndombele, asking for the ball. The midfielder found him, but Kanté was already nearby, closing the space without diving into the challenge.

Fekir turned away and played toward Aouar.

Xhaka stepped across.

The ball went backward.

It was a small victory, but an important one.

Arsenal were not allowing Lyon to establish themselves.

When Arsenal regained possession, they did not rush.

Van Dijk passed into Xhaka.

Xhaka found Özil.

Özil released Robertson down the left.

The full-back carried the ball forward before playing inside to Alexis.

Alexis touched it back toward Özil and continued his run.

Özil could have attempted the forward pass.

Instead, he waited.

Gnabry had moved inside.

Francesco had drifted toward the right channel.

A narrow passing lane opened.

Özil found Francesco.

Francesco turned, but Marcelo stepped toward him immediately.

Rather than forcing the issue, Francesco returned the ball to Xhaka.

Arsenal started again.

It was exactly what Wenger had asked for.

There was no need to make every possession an attack.

They simply needed to make Lyon work.

The home side tried to answer through Depay.

He moved inside from the left, receiving a pass from Aouar before attempting to run at Walker.

Walker stayed square.

Depay tried to shift the ball onto his right foot.

Walker poked it away.

The ball rolled toward the touchline.

Depay looked frustrated.

Walker simply jogged back into position.

“Good,” Van Dijk called.

The game continued.

Ndombele began carrying the ball farther forward.

His strength allowed him to escape one challenge from Özil, but Kanté immediately appeared in front of him.

Ndombele passed toward Cornet.

Robertson intercepted.

Another Lyon attack ended before it reached the dangerous areas.

Čech had not yet been seriously tested.

That was not because Lyon had stopped trying.

They simply could not find enough room.

Whenever Fekir moved between the lines, either Kanté or Xhaka was close enough to force him sideways.

When Depay dropped deeper, Van Dijk did not follow him unnecessarily.

When Cornet tried to stretch Robertson, Walker tucked in.

Koscielny kept the defensive line compact.

The four defenders were communicating constantly, but there was no panic in their movements.

Arsenal’s shape was beginning to frustrate Lyon.

The home supporters sensed it.

Every misplaced pass drew groans.

Every Arsenal possession brought whistles from the stands.

But Arsenal kept playing.

Around the 54th minute, Özil received possession near the halfway line and was immediately surrounded by two Lyon players.

He slipped between them with a small touch.

Alexis dropped toward him.

The Chilean received and returned the ball in one movement.

Özil then sent it wide to Gnabry.

Gnabry accelerated.

Mendy followed.

Francesco made a run through the centre, taking Denayer with him.

Gnabry crossed.

Marcelo cleared.

The ball fell to Kanté.

He immediately recycled it.

Arsenal were back in possession.

Francesco looked toward Özil.

The German simply raised a hand.

Again.

The next attack came from the opposite side.

Walker found Xhaka.

Xhaka played toward Gnabry.

Gnabry moved inside and combined with Alexis.

Alexis attempted to slide Francesco through.

Denayer read the pass and intercepted.

Lyon finally had an opportunity to break.

Fekir collected the loose ball.

He accelerated.

Aouar ran beyond him.

Fekir played the pass.

Kanté chased.

The French midfielder caught Aouar before he could reach the edge of the box and calmly won the ball.

The travelling Arsenal supporters applauded.

The rhythm was becoming increasingly one-sided without ever becoming comfortable.

Lyon were still capable of hurting Arsenal.

But Arsenal were controlling where that danger could occur.

And then, eight minutes before the hour, the pressure began to produce another opening.

Gnabry received on the right and played backward to Walker.

Walker immediately found Xhaka.

Xhaka switched the play toward Robertson.

Robertson advanced before feeding Alexis.

Alexis moved centrally.

Francesco dropped into the space behind him.

For a moment, Lyon’s midfield followed both players.

That opened the channel.

Francesco turned and found Gnabry.

Gnabry carried the ball toward the edge of the area.

Denayer stepped across.

Gnabry stopped.

He did not try to beat him immediately.

Instead, he waited for Özil.

Özil had moved into the space just outside the box.

Gnabry passed.

Özil received with his body already facing goal.

One touch took him away from Ndombele.

His next touch brought the ball into the path of Gnabry, who had continued his run.

The timing was perfect.

Özil slipped the ball through the narrow gap between Marcelo and Denayer.

Gnabry reached it inside the penalty area.

Lopes came off his line.

Gnabry kept his head up.

He saw the goalkeeper moving toward him and waited until the final moment before guiding the ball low across goal.

Lopes dropped and extended one hand.

The ball passed beyond him.

It struck the inside of the far post.

Then crossed the line.

62 minutes.

2–0 Arsenal.

Gnabry turned immediately.

Özil was already running toward him.

Gnabry pointed at him.

“That one was yours!”

Özil laughed.

“You still had to score.”

Gnabry grabbed him around the shoulders.

Alexis arrived next, followed by Francesco and Xhaka.

The Arsenal players gathered briefly near the corner.

Behind the goal, the travelling supporters were celebrating wildly.

Flags moved above the crowd.

Scarves were held aloft.

For Lyon, the situation was suddenly far more difficult.

They had spent the opening twenty minutes of the second half trying to find a way back into the game.

Now Arsenal had doubled the advantage.

Fekir looked toward the bench.

The Lyon manager was already speaking with his staff.

Arsenal returned toward halfway.

Francesco glanced at the scoreboard.

2–0.

There was still plenty of football left.

Nobody in the Arsenal team treated the result as finished.

Lyon restarted and immediately pushed forward.

Depay tried to take advantage of a small gap between Walker and Van Dijk.

Van Dijk closed it.

Aouar received the second ball.

Xhaka stepped in.

Ndombele collected the loose possession and attempted a shot from distance.

It flew wide.

Čech watched it all the way.

Then Arsenal slowed the match again.

Not through time-wasting.

Through control.

The ball travelled from defender to midfielder and back again.

Robertson moved forward only when the space was safe.

Walker remained more conservative.

Kanté positioned himself beneath the ball.

Xhaka gave Arsenal another passing option.

Özil continued directing the attack.

Francesco kept moving between the Lyon defenders.

Alexis drifted toward the left.

Gnabry remained dangerous on the opposite side.

Lyon were being made to defend again.

Then Wenger looked toward his bench.

He had made his decision.

The fourth official was called over.

At the 68th minute, three Arsenal players approached the touchline.

Francesco.

Özil.

Alexis.

Olivier Giroud, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka prepared to enter.

Francesco slowed as he reached Wenger.

The manager gave him a brief handshake.

“Well played.”

Francesco nodded.

“Thank you.”

He then turned toward the pitch.

Özil was already walking off.

Alexis followed, receiving applause from the Arsenal supporters.

Francesco removed the captain’s armband.

Koscielny was nearby.

Francesco handed it across.

“Laurent.”

Koscielny took it.

“I’ve got it.”

Francesco smiled.

“Keep them organized.”

Koscielny nodded.

“Of course.”

Francesco then acknowledged the travelling supporters with a raised hand before heading toward the bench.

His European night was over.

He had scored the opener.

He had spent the match stretching Lyon’s defensive line and creating room for those around him.

Now the responsibility belonged to the players still on the pitch.

Giroud moved into the central attacking position.

Smith Rowe occupied the spaces behind him.

Saka moved toward the right.

The shape remained familiar, but the emphasis changed.

Giroud provided a target.

Saka offered fresh acceleration.

Smith Rowe could carry the ball through midfield and attack the gaps Lyon had struggled to close.

At almost the same time, Lyon made their own changes.

Rafael came off.

Tete replaced him.

Then Fekir, Lyon’s captain, was withdrawn.

Bertrand Traoré entered.

The captain’s armband moved to another Lyon player as the home side reorganized.

The changes were clearly attacking.

Lyon had little choice.

They needed goals.

Tete immediately looked to run at Robertson.

Robertson stayed patient.

Traoré moved inside from the opposite side, searching for a combination with Depay.

Van Dijk tracked the movement without losing his position.

Aouar tried to find space behind Xhaka.

Kanté closed him down.

The match had entered a different phase.

Lyon had more urgency.

Arsenal had more control.

For several minutes, the home side circulated possession around Arsenal’s defensive block.

Tete crossed.

Koscielny cleared.

Traoré tried a through ball toward Depay.

Walker intercepted.

Ndombele attempted to drive through the middle.

Kanté stepped across him.

The ball returned to Arsenal.

Smith Rowe immediately carried it forward.

Saka sprinted down the right.

Giroud moved between the centre-backs.

Smith Rowe waited until Saka had drawn Mendy across, then found Giroud.

The Frenchman held the ball under pressure.

He brought Xhaka into play.

Arsenal were moving forward again.

They did not need another goal.

But they remained willing to attack when the space was available.

That balance was becoming increasingly important.

Francesco watched from the technical area, still wearing his training top over his match shirt.

Beside him, Wenger followed every movement.

“Good,” the manager murmured as Kanté closed another passing lane.

Francesco nodded.

“They’re making them go around.”

Wenger glanced at him.

“Exactly.”

Lyon tried.

They really did.

Traoré came inside and combined with Ndombele.

Depay dropped deeper.

Tete stayed wide.

Aouar moved toward the penalty area.

But Arsenal’s defenders refused to open the door.

Van Dijk won a cross.

Koscielny cleared another.

Robertson blocked a low delivery.

Walker recovered to stop Tete.

Čech remained composed behind them.

When a cross finally reached the six-yard area, the goalkeeper stepped forward and collected it cleanly.

He held the ball for a moment before rolling it toward Van Dijk.

The message was obvious.

Keep the game under control.

As the final fifteen minutes approached, Lyon began to show signs of frustration.

Passes were attempted a fraction too quickly.

Crosses came from deeper positions.

Long-range shots replaced patient combinations.

Arsenal accepted it.

Kanté continued covering ground.

Xhaka slowed the tempo when necessary.

Smith Rowe helped carry possession away from pressure.

Saka chased loose balls and forced Lyon’s defenders to turn.

Giroud used his body intelligently, winning fouls and keeping the ball whenever Arsenal needed an outlet.

The clock continued moving.

At 82 minutes, Traoré finally created a small opening on the right.

He cut inside and struck toward the near post.

Čech saw it early.

He dropped and caught the ball against his chest.

No rebound.

The goalkeeper rose calmly.

“Come on,” he called.

His teammates moved forward.

Arsenal had another opportunity to relieve the pressure.

Saka received near the halfway line.

He ran at Mendy, then slowed and waited for support.

Smith Rowe arrived.

The two exchanged passes.

Saka eventually won a throw deep inside Lyon territory.

The travelling supporters appreciated the intelligence of it.

Arsenal were not simply surviving.

They were managing the match.

The final minutes became increasingly measured.

Lyon continued to attack, but their movements lacked the sharpness they had shown earlier.

Tete crossed.

Van Dijk headed away.

Traoré tried to find Depay.

Koscielny intercepted.

Aouar attempted another shot.

Xhaka blocked.

Ndombele collected the rebound.

Kanté closed him down.

The ball went backward.

Again.

Again.

Lyon were running out of ideas.

Francesco watched the clock from the bench.

There were only a few minutes remaining.

He leaned forward, elbows resting against his knees.

The result was beginning to feel real.

Another European away match.

Another clean sheet within reach.

Another performance built on more than individual moments.

Wenger remained standing.

His expression had hardly changed throughout the evening.

The fourth official indicated added time.

Lyon sent everyone forward for one final attack.

Traoré crossed toward the penalty spot.

Van Dijk rose above Depay.

The defender headed clear.

The ball travelled toward midfield.

Smith Rowe collected it.

Instead of attempting a difficult forward pass, he carried it toward the corner and won another throw.

The seconds disappeared.

Lyon restarted quickly.

Tete attempted one last run.

Robertson stepped across him.

The ball went out.

The referee checked his watch.

Then the final whistle sounded.

Arsenal had won.

2–0.

For a moment, the players simply stood where they were.

Then the Arsenal supporters behind the goal began singing.

Koscielny raised an arm toward them.

Čech exchanged a handshake with Van Dijk.

Xhaka embraced Kanté.

Saka smiled as Smith Rowe walked over.

Giroud received congratulations from several teammates.

The result had been secured without another dramatic finish.

That was what made it satisfying.

Arsenal had scored when the opportunities arrived, then refused to allow Lyon to drag them into a frantic contest.

Francesco stepped onto the pitch from the technical area.

Alexis was already nearby.

“Good night,” Alexis said.

Francesco smiled.

“Very good night.”

Gnabry came over next.

“You saw the second one?”

“I did.”

“You liked it?”

Francesco laughed.

“I liked the pass.”

Gnabry pointed toward Özil.

“He’ll take that.”

Özil, standing a few metres away, heard him.

“As I should.”

They laughed.

The mood was relaxed now.

The difficult work had been completed.

Wenger eventually walked onto the pitch and gathered the players around him.

He did not make a long speech.

“You were professional,” he said.

His eyes moved across the group.

“Especially after we went two ahead. You didn’t give them the match they wanted.”

Koscielny nodded.

Čech gave a small smile.

Wenger continued.

“Enjoy the evening. Recovery tomorrow.”

That was enough.

The players turned toward the travelling supporters.

They walked across the pitch together, applauding the Arsenal fans who had made the journey to France.

The response came immediately.

For those supporters, two goals and a clean sheet on European soil were more than enough.

Francesco stood slightly behind the main group for a moment.

He looked toward the scoreboard.

LYON 0–2 ARSENAL.

His goal had opened the match.

Gnabry’s strike, created by Özil, had given Arsenal the breathing room they needed.

After that, the team had done the rest collectively.

Francesco looked around the stadium one last time.

The lights remained bright above the emptying stands.

Lyon’s players were already making their way toward the tunnel, some speaking quietly, others simply walking in silence.

There was disappointment on their faces, but also the understanding that Arsenal had been difficult to break down.

Francesco turned back toward his teammates.

Another Champions League night was finished.

Another three points were secured.

And once again, the squad would not have long to dwell on it.

There would be another training session.

Another opponent.

Another journey.

Another ninety minutes waiting somewhere ahead.

For tonight, however, Arsenal could leave Lyon knowing they had done exactly what they came to do.

They had attacked with purpose.

Defended with discipline.

Stayed composed when the home side increased the pressure.

And finished the evening with a 2–0 victory.

Francesco walked toward the tunnel beside Alexis and Gnabry.

Behind them, the travelling supporters continued singing.

Ahead of them waited the dressing room, the recovery routine, the journey back, and eventually the next chapter of a season that seemed to move faster with every passing week.

__________________________________________________

Name : Francesco Lee

Age : 19 (2017)

Birthplace : London, England

Football Club : Arsenal First Team

Championship History : 2014/2015 Premier League, 2014/2015 FA Cup, 2015/2016 Community Shield, 2016/2017 Premier League, 2015/2016 Champions League, Euro 2016, Premier League Champion 2016/2017, FA Cup 2016/2017, 2016/2017 Champions League, 2017/2018 Carabao Cup, Premier League 2017/2018, FA Cup 2017/2018, Champions League 2017/2018, 2018 World Cup, and 2018/2019 Community Shield.

Season 17/18 stats:

Arsenal:

Match: 20

Goal: 23

Assist: 1

MOTM: 0

POTM: 0

England:

Match: 2

Goal: 2

Assist: 0

MOTM: 0

Season 17/18 stats:

Arsenal:

Match: 59

Goal: 76

Assist: 6

MOTM: 7

POTM: 0

England:

Match: 11

Goal: 14

Assist: 1

MOTM: 7

Season 16/17 stats:

Arsenal:

Match: 55

Goal: 87

Assist: 5

MOTM: 14

POTM: 1

England:

Match: 1

Goal: 1

Assist: 0

MOTM: 0

Season 15/16 stats:

Arsenal:

Match Played: 60

Goal: 82

Assist: 10

MOTM: 9

POTM: 1

England:

Match Played: 2

Goal: 4

Assist: 0

Euro 2016

Match Played: 6

Goal: 13

Assist: 4

MOTM: 6

Season 14/15 stats:

Match Played: 35

Goal: 45

Assist: 12

MOTM: 9

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