"Two straight wins! Hey! We got two straight wins! Hey!"
In the passenger seat, Chamberlain was in full voice, belting out a tune that didn't seem to exist anywhere outside his head. He swayed in place, drumming on his knees, clearly carried away by Arsenal's strong start to the season.
Kai, hands steady on the wheel, kept his eyes on the road.
After a few monts, Chamberlain glanced over.
"Next round's against Tottenham," he said with a grin, as though delivering a grand revelation.
Kai gave the briefest of nods without looking at him.
"Oh, co on—give sothing," Chamberlain complained.
Kai sighed. "What do you want to say? If we were talking about Spurs from last season, or even the one before that, maybe I'd be a little concerned. But this year? Do you honestly think they've looked convincing?"
"They've won twice already," Chamberlain countered, leaning back in his seat.
"That's just window dressing," Kai replied evenly. "The mont they face a serious opponent, the cracks will show."
Tottenham had indeed opened the campaign with two victories, but in Kai's eyes, it was a short-lived illusion. Losing Bale had gutted their cutting edge, and while they had spent big to rebuild—Lala being the jewel in their crown—no amount of hype could hide the transitional awkwardness.
Kai had studied their ga footage. Against the top sides, he couldn't see them holding up. A Spurs team from two years ago—or maybe one in a few years—might've given him pause. But this version? Not now. Not at the Emirates.
...
Matchday – Emirates Stadium
The crowd was buzzing long before kick-off, red and white scarves rippling in the breeze. Sky Sports comntary carried over the broadcast, with Martin Taylor and Alan Smith providing their asured yet energetic insight.
Taylor: "All eyes will be on Arsenal's number four today. Kai's been an immovable presence in midfield so far—two matches in and not a single opponent has dribbled past him. That's extraordinary in the Premier League."
Smith: "Absolutely, Martin. He's made seventeen successful tackles already this season, and it's not just the volu—it's the timing. He's cutting out danger before it develops, and that's priceless in a match like the North London derby."
...
From the first whistle, Lala went after Kai. The Argentine prodigy, brought in for over £30 million, clearly carried his manager's orders: break Arsenal's midfield screen. Four tis, he tried to take Kai on. Four tis, he got bounced.
Taylor: "Lala again… and no, he's lost it! That's the fourth ti Kai's stripped him of the ball today."
The Emirates roared its approval.
Two seasons ago, whenever the opposition ventured into Arsenal's half, fans held their breath for the inevitable collapse. But now, with Kai patrolling the centre, they sat a little straighter, confident. The midfield was no longer a weak spot—it was a Great Wall.
Lala's frustration was obvious. After another turnover, he shot Kai a glare. Kai, unruffled, t his eyes and stared back until the winger looked away.
Another Spurs counter ca, and Lala demanded the ball with a snarl. His teammate obliged. But before the Argentine could settle it, Kai swept in, took the ball cleanly, and was already moving it forward before Lala had finished cursing in his native language.
Kai's interceptions had a galvanising effect on Arsenal's attack. Suarez, Cazorla, and Wilshere sward Spurs' back line, pulling defenders out of position. Finally, in the 78th minute, Walcott volleyed ho a Cazorla header to break the deadlock.
Two minutes later, Wenger replaced Kai with Flamini. On his way out, Kai passed the captain's armband to Arteta.
"Mantener la línea," Kai said in Spanish.
Arteta nodded with a bit of surprise.
Kai chuckled and made his way to the touchline, greeted by a standing ovation. Wenger embraced him briefly.
"Excellent work," the manager murmured.
Without Kai, Spurs tried again through Lala, but Flamini and Sagna shut the door repeatedly. By the 85th minute, Lala was hauled off, kicking a water bottle in disgust.
...
When the final whistle blew—Arsenal 2, Tottenham 0—the Emirates erupted. Three straight league wins and the derby bragging rights were theirs.
Outside, fans bead into caras.
"Who built a wall in the middle of the field?
KAI! KAI!
He don't dive, he don't yield!
KAI! KAI!
The Gunners cheer and rivals squeal—
'Cause Kai's the boss with boots of steel!
OHHHH KAI!
WHO BUILT THAT WALL?
KAI! KAI!"
"Lala didn't know what hit him!"
"Three gas, not a single opponent's beaten him one-on-one! That's ridiculous!"
Another, face painted red and white, shouted: "This is a team ready for the title. You can feel it—it's champion ntality!"
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