The journey from Colney Training Base to the Emirates Stadium normally takes only 45 minutes. For Kai and his teammates, it was a route they had travelled countless times. On this occasion, however, everything felt profoundly different.
From the moment the team bus departed the training ground, Arsenal fans lined both sides of the road. They cheered enthusiastically, held banners aloft, and sang the club's songs with heartfelt passion.
Their faces reflected genuine emotion, and their eyes conveyed deep anticipation. Every gesture and expression carried the same clear message to the players:
"We want to win." "Take us to the final."
Confronted by such fervent support, the players' expressions grew solemn. The weight of expectation was palpable.
Inside the usually lively team bus, an unusual silence prevailed. No conversations, no singing, no light-hearted banter. Though Arsenal prided itself on a strong team spirit, everyone understood the significance of the occasion and maintained a respectful quiet.
Luis Suárez sat with his eyes closed, breathing steadily, hands clasped tightly in front of him. He prayed intermittently. It was the pursuit of Champions League glory that had brought him to Arsenal. He had come not merely to participate, but to win it.
Now, on the verge of reaching the final, he felt vindicated in his decision, yet undeniably nervous.
Ángel Di María gazed out of the window. The sight of fans holding banners bearing his name—"Angel! Di Maria"—moved him deeply.
As the only player in the squad with a Champions League winner's medal, he had never experienced a semi-final quite like this.
At Real Madrid, the club's unparalleled history in the competition meant expectations always carried a certain confidence. Here, the longing in the fans' eyes was intense and unrelenting. He resolved not to disappoint them.
Jack Wilshere, too, felt the burden. He was uncertain whether he would feature in the match. Since relinquishing the number 10 shirt, he had found a renewed sense of purpose. As long as he remained at Arsenal, playing for the Gunners, he had the opportunity to rebuild and contribute.
In the previous Champions League final, he had been a spectator. This time, he was determined to play his part and help create history.
As the bus drew closer to the Emirates Stadium, the distant noise gradually intensified into organised, powerful chants. Red smoke was wafting through the air.
[Image]
"Arsenal!!!!!""Arsenal!!!!!""Arsenal!!!!!"
A large crowd had gathered at the entrance. The fans watched the arriving bus with fervent devotion, expressing their support with unrestrained volume. When the doors opened, Arsène Wenger stepped out first, prompting an enormous surge of cheers.
"No talking. Straight to the locker room," Wenger instructed calmly.
One by one, the players disembarked and walked towards the tunnel in focused silence. The supporters called out their names with affection:
Chamberlain!!!Wilshere!!!Rosicky!!!Campbell!!!Suárez!!!Cazorla!!!Di María!!!Sagna!!!
When Le Kai emerged, the individual calls merged into a single, thunderous roar. Nearly every fan raised their hands and shouted in unison:
"Captain!!!!!!!!!!"
The sound reverberated through him like an electric current. Le Kai lifted his head slightly, offered a wave and a small nod of acknowledgment, and continued into the stadium.
Once prepared in the locker room, the team returned to the pitch for the warm-up.
Throughout the session, Emirates Stadium echoed with soaring, continuous singing from the stands—an unforgettable wall of sound that underscored the magnitude of the night.
The singing from the stands never ceased. Arsenal fans continued to roar with full voice, offering encouragement and calling for victory.
After the warm-up, the players returned to the locker room. Arsène Wenger asked everyone to take their seats. He looked around the room and spoke calmly:
"At this moment, I feel there is someone better suited than me to address you."
With that, Wenger gently pulled Jens Lehmann forward from behind him.
"Let him speak to you."
Lehmann appeared momentarily surprised and nervous. Under the expectant gaze of his teammates, he opened and closed his hands a few times as he gathered his thoughts. Finally, he began:
"This is the club I worked for, and it is the team I still deeply love." He pointed to the players. "And I f***ing love you guys too."
A few faint smiles appeared across the room.
Lehmann exhaled slowly. "Honestly, if I could avoid it, I wouldn't want to speak—because I don't want to revisit that memory. It still hurts."
His lips trembled slightly as he clenched his fists.
"You all know what I'm referring to. The Champions League, 2005-06 season. That decisive match." He pointed at himself. "A red card. It ruined everything. A whole season of hard work, everyone's efforts… all gone in an instant."
Lehmann's eyes reddened, and his raised finger shook with emotion.
"That moment still haunts me every night. It reminds me that I failed. It was me—I ruined it for all of us."
The locker room fell completely silent. Even Wenger lowered his head.
"I'm sorry. I was supposed to motivate you, but I ended up talking about my own regrets," Lehmann continued, his voice thick with feeling. "As a fan now, I just desperately hope you can succeed where we once fell short. Because I know exactly how painful failure feels."
"I, and all the fans outside, are willing to give everything for this victory. Go out there and look at them. After the first tackle, listen to the roar that will come from the stands. They will ignite with you. When you score, turn and see their faces. You will understand how much they love this team."
Lehmann took a deep breath. "Like the Professor and every supporter, we can no longer do it for you. The outcome is in your hands. So whether it's pressure or motivation…"
He extended his hand.
"Take us to the Berlin Olympic Stadium."
The room fell quiet once more. One by one, the players turned their heads toward the right.
Le Kai stood up slowly and walked over to Lehmann. He placed one arm around the German's shoulders and rested his other hand firmly on Lehmann's outstretched palm.
"Open your eyes and look at me!" Le Kai turned to the squad and roared, "This legend of Arsenal wants to go to Berlin! Can we refuse?!"
"NOO!!"
The players shouted and rose as one and stepped forward. They stacked their hands together, one after another.
Le Kai glanced toward the manager. "Coach, you too."
Wenger joined the circle. Everyone leaned in slightly, arms linked.
Le Kai spoke in a deep, steady voice:
"I don't think many words are needed. You all understand what this match means. From the first touch, stay calm and enter the game immediately. After every attack, turn quickly and face their goal again. Victory will not come from one man—it will be earned by all of us together."
He patted Lehmann's shoulder. "Just as this man said, we are going to Berlin. So first, we must overcome Bayern Munich. This could be our last Champions League match of the season… or we might play one more. The choice is ours."
The players' expressions were solemn and resolute.
Le Kai nodded. "Come on. Let's shout it together."
He drew a deep breath and roared:
"Forward!!!!—"
Every player, including Wenger, tensed with raw emotion. Their faces tightened, bodies rose together, and arms thrust upward in unison.
A powerful, unified cry filled the locker room, heavy with anticipation, longing, and burning passion:
"Gunners!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
. . .
Please do leave a review and powerstones, which helps with the book's exposure.
Feel like joining a Patreon for free and subscribing to 30+ advanced chapters?
Visit the link:
[email protected]/GRANDMAESTA_30
Change @ to a