Cheers erupted from every corner, each fan shouting with unrestrained joy. Their excitement wasn't just about the scoreline—though Arsenal were comfortably 2-0 up—it was the confirmation that Kai had chosen to stay. Joy upon joy.
For the first time in weeks, everyone could truly enjoy the match.
With a two-goal lead, Arsenal's attack slowed slightly, allowing them to control the tempo. Kai dropped back, positioning himself alongside N'Golo Kanté in midfield. Together, they formed an imposing barrier that effectively smothered Leicester City's advances.
Short passes? Impossible.
Dribbling through? Forget it.
Only long balls could get over this midfield wall—and even then, Kai and Kanté could intercept or at least disrupt the play.
Mahrez, Leicester City's playmaker, suddenly found himself trapped. Every attempt at penetration was stopped before it even began.
Fast breaks? Cut off.
Passing lanes? Blocked.
All Mahrez felt was frustration—disgust, even.
This wasn't how things were supposed to be. Since joining Leicester, he had been unstoppable, guiding the team to promotion and proving he could thrive in the Premier League. He had thought he was ready for this level.
But now? Arsenal had shown him the harsh reality.
Even just the midfield duo of Kai and Kanté was an insurmountable wall. No matter what trick Mahrez tried, he couldn't find a way through. He was feeling, for the first time, the full weight of a top-level Premier League team: the crushing pressure, the tight defense, the seamless cohesion.
Against Arsenal, he felt small, almost powerless, as if staring up at a giant. Every attempt at offense was met with resistance; every defensive lapse he saw in his own team was brutally exposed.
He could blame his teammates—maybe some of it—but ultimately, Mahrez knew the real problem: Arsenal wasn't making mistakes. They weren't under pressure, so they didn't give him an inch.
For the full 90 minutes, Mahrez chased opportunities that didn't exist. By the final whistle, his energy was spent, and though frustrated, a small part of him felt relief—the nightmare of a match against Arsenal was finally over.
Arsenal had beaten Leicester City 2-0 in the third round of the 2014-2015 Premier League, securing their third straight win. Momentum was firmly on their side, and the stadium celebrated with players and fans united in elation.
Across the field, Leicester City looked defeated. Players hung their heads. Mahrez sat on the grass, eyes blank, watching the jubilant scene. The Emirates Stadium, compared to his home ground, was a spectacle beyond imagination.
Joining a big club—that dream burned in every player, and Mahrez was no exception. Before the match, he had hoped a standout performance might catch Arsène Wenger's eye. Now that hope seemed dashed.
A firm pat on his shoulder made him turn. Behind him stood a broad figure.
"Big!" Mahrez muttered instinctively.
Kai looked at him, smiled, and held out his jersey.
"You played great," he said.
Mahrez's eyes lit up. He quickly got to his feet and accepted the gift, feeling a flicker of hope and pride. He wasn't yet the centerpiece of Leicester's ambitions; two seasons ago, he was still in the French second division, and last season in the Championship. Facing a Premier League starlike Kai, it was natural to feel a little awed.
For any player, having Kai, Arsenal's captain, personally exchange jerseys was an honor.
After Mahrez received Kai's shirt, he immediately offered his own in return. "But… I couldn't even get past your defense once," he said, a hint of frustration in his voice.
Kai just smiled. "You've just joined the Premier League. The pace, the intensity—it takes time to adapt. Don't rush it."
After a brief pause, he added, "And you played well today. Don't dwell on a single match. Keep growing—who knows, maybe one day we'll even be teammates."
Teammates?
Mahrez froze for a moment, then felt his cheeks flush—excited, exhilarated. Kai's words were full of encouragement, full of recognition. For players like him, fresh into the top flight, such acknowledgment was priceless.
"Thank you," Mahrez said earnestly.
Kai gave a small wave and walked on. Soon, he approached Vardy.
"Your performance was solid," Kai said.
Vardy blinked. "I… only played ten minutes. Didn't have a single shot."
If it weren't for the sincerity in Kai's eyes, Vardy might have thought it was sarcasm.
Kai just smiled. "Don't focus on that. Many of your runs were excellent—it wasn't your teammates' fault they couldn't connect with you."
Vardy's eyes brightened. He'd felt the same, but hearing it aloud from Kai made a difference.
Kai patted his shoulder. "Your stage… it shouldn't end here."
And then he moved on.
Mahrez and Vardy, key architects of Leicester City's Championship-winning side, deserved that recognition. Even if N'Golo Kanté had already moved to Arsenal, and Leicester's future was uncertain, acknowledging top talent was a wise move.
Strong players, even if currently rivals, might one day consider Arsenal more seriously because of Kai's words. For him, it was effortless—just a few sentences, zero cost—but the goodwill could pay huge dividends.
It was like flipping a switch; Kai was casually spreading warmth wherever potential talent appeared.
After the match, Kai returned to the locker room. Reporters swarmed, eager for quotes, but he politely refused every request. Pat Rice escorted him personally, ensuring he avoided the press entirely.
With no access to Kai, journalists turned to Arsène Wenger at the post-match press conference.
"Regarding the contract issue," Wenger began, his voice calm but firm, "we will not comment on rumors. But what we can confirm is that Kai has signed a new five-year contract with Arsenal. Fans can rest easy—he will remain with us."
He continued, eyes flashing with intensity: "Arsenal will also pursue all legal avenues to protect our rights. The invasion of privacy here is unacceptable. It comes from a major media outlet, and we demand a public apology to both Kai and Arsenal."
Finally, he added, "This matter has been referred to the FA for judgment. Arsenal will not allow anyone's schemes to succeed."
The message was clear: Kai stayed, Arsenal's captain and heart, and no conspiracy could shake that.
. . .
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