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Chapter 67: Momentum And Belief
🕑 Added 2025-06-11 14:50:07 +0000 UTCAfter that battle with Manchester United, Arsenal’s morale skyrocketed. They didn’t just teach United a lesson—they took three crucial points with them. And those points couldn’t have come at a better time.
Without them, Arsenal would’ve slipped even further from the European places. That’s simply unacceptable for a club like Arsenal.
Thankfully, the team’s performance was solid all around. But the standout? That was Kai.
Wearing Arsenal’s No. 4, the young man gave fans a proper shock, in the best way possible.
His relentless pressing and interceptions in midfield repeatedly cut off United’s attacks before they could get going, easing the pressure on Arsenal’s back line.
Two consecutive blocks and then that match-winning header? It’s no wonder fans immediately began calling him the second coming of Vieira.
Eighteen years old? So what?
Inexperienced? So what?
This is Arsenal. If there’s one thing they’re known for, it’s developing young talent. And Kai’s performance gave supporters something they haven’t had in a while—hope for the future.
For the first team, Kai's performance was a revelation.
After that match, some players in the squad who saw him as a rookie stopped seeing him as just some talented kid. He earned their trust.
Even players had started depending on him, subtly but surely. You could see it. When Kai was on the pitch, the energy shifted. Morale shot up.
There was something about that No. 4 shirt—the way he carried himself—it gave the team a jolt—a quiet but powerful kind of leadership.
“Do you think Kai will start against Fulham?” Pat asked. Wenger thought for a moment. “Depends on how fast that knock heals.” Pat nodded with a faint smile. The truth is, Arsenal can’t do without Kai anymore.
In the last ten matches, the kid has made himself indispensable. He’s averaging three successful tackles, three interceptions, and countless disruptions per game.
In those ten matches, he’s also registered three assists and a goal. Wenger can’t quite believe what he’s seeing. That kind of production? You’d expect it from an established star—certainly not from an 18-year-old.
And remember, Kai came off the bench in three of those games. His playing time was limited, yet he still managed to produce like this. That performance against Manchester United sealed the deal. He completely outplayed them. The efficiency.
The presence. Even if he wanted to, Wenger couldn’t ignore it.
He turned his eyes to the far end of the training pitch. There he was—Wilshere. Wearing the No. 10 shirt.
Wenger’s expression softened into something more conflicted.
Jack Wilshere was Arsenal through and through. From the academy to the senior squad, he’d climbed every rung. And when he was fit, he was dazzling—an English midfielder with the technical flair of a Spaniard. That’s rare. That’s why Wenger, and all of Arsenal really, once placed so much hope in him.
But the last two seasons had been brutal. He was either on the physio’s table or easing back in with limited minutes. No—Wenger corrected himself silently. The problem wasn’t just injury. It was discipline. Or the lack of it.
“Wilshere’s recovered well. Have you thought about starting him?” Pat asked, glancing at Wenger. He knew how much Wenger had once believed in Wilshere. But time and again, Jack had disappointed him.
Wenger stayed quiet for a beat, then said, “After Van Persie left last season, Jack came to me. He asked for the No. 10 shirt.”
Pat shrugged. “That’s not unusual.”
Wenger sighed. “The strange thing is... I didn’t want to give it to him. There was no sense of urgency. When I gave Kai the No. 4, it felt right—like everything was pointing me toward that decision. With Jack? Not at all.”
Pat frowned. “You don’t think he’s ready?”
“I don’t know,” Wenger admitted. “He’s talented—no doubt. But he’s always injured. And he doesn’t have the discipline. Not consistently.”
To be fair, Wilshere had been working hard since coming back. He’d put in solid effort on the training ground, and after shaking off the rust, his sharpness was returning.
Technically, he was still exceptional. And his presence had added a smoother rhythm to Arsenal’s attack. But the team… wasn’t quite sold on him.
After one sequence, Wilshere jogged over to Cazorla, patted his head and shoulders, and said cheerfully, “Nice one, mate. Next time, try breaking right—you’ve got space there. Trust me.”
He meant it as encouragement. Cazorla didn’t seem to appreciate it.
He pulled away slightly, clearly uncomfortable with the gesture. Not because it was aggressive, but because it felt... patronizing. Cazorla didn’t think Wilshere had earned the right to touch his head like that.
It wasn’t just Cazorla, either. Wilshere tried to motivate several teammates the same way, but their reactions were all similar.
They smiled, nodded—but their expressions were tight, forced. It felt like he was trying to lead from a pedestal, not as one of them, but above them.
To this group of players, Wilshere hadn’t done anything lately to warrant that tone. And they weren’t about to be lectured by someone who hadn’t been in the trenches with them.
Kai sat quietly on the sidelines. For now, he was barred from taking part in any team training games.
He wouldn’t even think about stepping onto the pitch until the cut on his forehead had properly healed.
He reached up and lightly touched the white gauze wrapped around his head, letting out a small, helpless smile.
Still, there was one silver lining—Wilshere was finally back. If he hadn’t returned, Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures would’ve been even tougher.
After that win over Manchester United, Arsenal moved up to sixth in the league with 5 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses.
It wasn’t ideal, but it was progress.
In Wenger’s eyes, the team needed to push hard and get into a strong position before the 20th round.
Why the 20th round specifically?
Because after that point, the Premier League usually enters the real dogfight, when every club starts battling desperately for points.
By then, the picture for European competition and the FA Cup will be clearer.
And teams that get knocked out of those tournaments? They’ll go all-in on the league.
That’s when the sprint begins.
If Arsenal aren’t in a strong spot by then, they’ll risk missing out on Champions League qualification altogether.
And for a club like Arsenal, that simply isn’t an option.
Of course, the Champions League ticket isn’t only handed out through the league.
There are three ways to qualify: via league placement, by winning the Europa League, or by lifting the Champions League trophy.
But let’s be honest—Arsenal aren’t counting on silverware.
It’s been six years since they last won anything.
Expecting them to suddenly win the Europa League or Champions League after such a shaky start? Unrealistic.
And to make matters worse, there’s the injury crisis.
Kai turned his head toward the goal. Szczesny wasn’t there—he’d picked up a wrist injury after those heroic saves against Manchester United.
Now, Vito Mannone had stepped in as the starting keeper.
Reports weren’t encouraging. Some sources even suggested Szczesny might be out for the season.
A team trying to claw its way back doesn’t need its starting goalkeeper on the injury list.
But then again, this is Arsenal.
Injuries always seem to find them, and the signs were showing once again.
....
November 10th.
Craven Cottage, London
Matchday Eleven-Fulham vs. Arsenal.
Riding the momentum from their win over United, Arsenal came out swinging—and they took down Fulham in style.
It was an intense game from the start.
Cazorla was electric, slicing through defenders with ease.
And Walcott? He bagged a brace, sealing another away victory.
Kai, still wrapped in gauze, remained on the bench throughout the match.
But there was no anxiety on his face. Arsenal had things under control, and he looked at ease.
Wilshere, to his credit, put in a solid shift.
He created chances with his dribbling and vision, linking play beautifully.
Alongside Cazorla, Walcott, and even Fernando pushing forward with real urgency, Fulham couldn’t cope with the pressure.
They collapsed under wave after wave of Arsenal’s attack.
Final score: 2–0. Another clean win. Another three points in the bag.
Wilshere even walked away with Man of the Match honors.
It was exactly the boost Arsenal fans needed.
For the first time in a while, it felt like the team was finally building momentum.
Just like last season, when Arsenal mounted a late charge after a poor start, supporters were starting to believe again.
At the post-match press conference, Wenger shared the same optimism.
“We’ve managed to correct our course despite the difficult start. Yes, it took us ten rounds, but it’s not too late. I believe this season, Arsenal will still reach the goals we’ve set.”
His words lit up the fans.
They could feel it: the team was finally heading in the right direction.
Wilshere was back and making an impact.
Kai’s emergence had brought fresh energy to the squad.
There was real hope again—and for Arsenal, that’s always where it begins.
