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(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
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And as thousands of supporters remained on their feet singing beneath the winter sky, Arsenal's position at the top of the Premier League looked stronger than ever.
The celebrations continued for several minutes after the final whistle.
Not chaotic.
Not reckless.
Just genuine.
The kind of celebration that came after surviving a genuine test.
Because that was exactly what Liverpool had provided.
A test.
A very difficult one.
The players made their way around the Emirates together, applauding the supporters who remained in the stands long after the match had officially ended.
Thousands of fans were still singing.
Still waving scarves.
Still replaying moments from the game in their minds.
Sánchez's equalizer.
Özil's finish.
Xhaka's thunderous free kick.
The comeback.
The resilience.
The victory.
The supporters knew they had witnessed something special.
So did the players.
Eventually the squad disappeared down the tunnel.
The noise of the stadium gradually faded behind them.
Though not entirely.
The songs still echoed faintly through the concrete corridors beneath the Emirates.
A reminder of what waited above.
A reminder of why all of this mattered.
As Francesco entered the dressing room, he immediately felt the shift.
The intensity of the match slowly leaving people's bodies.
The adrenaline beginning to fade.
The exhaustion finally catching up.
Players dropped heavily into seats.
Boots were kicked off.
Tape was removed.
Water bottles emptied almost instantly.
Nearby, Robertson collapsed dramatically onto a bench.
"I ran approximately fourteen marathons."
Walker looked at him.
"Only fourteen?"
"Maybe fifteen."
"Light afternoon then."
Robertson threw a towel at him.
Walker caught it effortlessly.
Unfortunately.
Because it encouraged him.
"Elite reflexes."
"No."
"World-class."
"No."
"Future Ballon d'Or."
"Absolutely not."
The room laughed.
Even Van Dijk smiled.
A rare achievement.
Across the dressing room, Sánchez was still replaying moments from the match.
Not verbally.
Mentally.
You could see it.
The Chilean had that look.
The look he always had after big games.
A mixture of satisfaction and frustration.
Because footballers always remembered the chances they missed more vividly than the chances they scored.
Meanwhile Xhaka was receiving endless congratulations.
Again.
Mostly because his free kick had been ridiculous.
Even by his standards.
Giroud shook his head.
"I still don't understand how that went in."
Xhaka looked offended.
"It was an excellent strike."
"It was a war crime."
More laughter.
Even Wenger's coaching staff couldn't stop smiling.
Eventually players began heading toward the showers.
The hot water felt incredible after ninety minutes of Premier League football.
Steam quickly filled the room.
Conversations bounced from wall to wall.
Discussions about tactics.
Goals.
Challenges.
Refereeing decisions.
The usual post-match football topics.
Francesco stood beneath the water and finally allowed himself a moment to appreciate the result.
Liverpool had pushed them harder than most teams all season.
Twice they had fallen behind.
Twice they had responded.
Those victories always felt different.
Not necessarily better.
But different.
Because they revealed character.
And character mattered.
A lot.
Especially in title races.
Especially in Europe.
Especially in seasons where expectations continued growing.
Eventually the showers emptied.
Players returned to their lockers.
The familiar transformation began once more.
Footballers becoming ordinary people.
At least temporarily.
Match kits disappeared.
Arsenal jumpsuits emerged.
Dark blue.
Comfortable.
Warm.
Perfect for the cold London evening outside.
Francesco had just finished zipping his jacket when the dressing-room door opened.
Wenger stepped inside.
The room immediately quietened slightly.
Not completely.
This wasn't school.
But enough that everyone noticed.
The manager looked around before speaking.
"Francesco."
The captain looked up.
"Yeah?"
"Koscielny."
The defender turned as well.
Wenger nodded toward the door.
"Press conference."
Several teammates reacted immediately.
Walker groaned dramatically.
"My deepest sympathies."
Francesco rolled his eyes.
"You act like we're being executed."
"You don't know."
"I do know."
"You've been brainwashed."
The room laughed.
Koscielny shook his head.
"I've played football for twenty years and somehow this conversation still exists."
"Because it's important."
"No."
"It is."
"No."
"It really is."
Robertson finally threw a towel at Walker.
This time it connected.
The dressing room erupted.
Wenger simply smiled and shook his head.
Then headed back toward the corridor.
Francesco and Koscielny followed.
⸻
The journey beneath the Emirates felt familiar.
The same corridors.
The same signs.
The same controlled chaos that always followed major matches.
Staff members moved quickly between rooms.
Television crews packed away equipment.
Security personnel directed journalists.
Medical staff transported supplies.
The entire stadium was gradually transitioning from match mode back to normal operations.
Though normal was a relative term after a game like that.
As they approached the media room, the noise increased.
Journalists talking.
Equipment being adjusted.
Cameras being prepared.
Microphones being tested.
The usual pre-press conference soundtrack.
A staff member opened the door.
Immediately camera flashes greeted them.
Rows of reporters filled the room.
Television cameras lined the back wall.
Microphones covered the table waiting at the front.
The attendance wasn't surprising.
Arsenal versus Liverpool rarely lacked attention.
Arsenal beating Liverpool 4-3 after coming from behind twice guaranteed attention.
Wenger took his seat.
Francesco sat beside him.
Koscielny settled into the third chair.
Water bottles waited in front of them.
The moderator welcomed everyone.
Then opened the floor.
The first journalist stood almost immediately.
A smile already on his face.
"Arsène, congratulations on the victory."
Wenger nodded politely.
"Thank you."
The journalist continued.
"That looked like one of the most difficult matches Arsenal have played this season."
A pause.
"What did you make of Liverpool today?"
An excellent question.
And one many people wanted answered.
Wenger folded his hands together.
The manager took a moment before responding.
Always thoughtful.
Always measured.
Always Wenger.
"Liverpool were excellent."
Several journalists immediately began writing.
The Frenchman continued.
"They made the game very difficult."
Another pause.
"Their intensity was extremely high."
"They pressed aggressively."
"They attacked quickly."
"They forced us to solve many problems."
The room listened carefully.
Because praise from Wenger usually carried weight.
"I think Jürgen has done a remarkable job."
That generated even more note-taking.
Wenger glanced briefly toward the journalists.
"This Liverpool team is very different from the one we faced several seasons ago."
"They have a clear identity."
"A clear structure."
"And they have players perfectly suited to that style."
The manager nodded slightly.
"They will challenge every team in England."
That statement alone spoke volumes.
Because Wenger rarely handed out compliments casually.
Another journalist stood.
This time directing his question toward Koscielny.
"Laurent, as a defender, what was it like facing Liverpool's attack today?"
The French defender laughed softly.
"Stressful."
The room immediately laughed.
Including Wenger.
Including Francesco.
Koscielny smiled.
"I'm only half joking."
More laughter.
Then his expression became more serious.
"Liverpool are very dangerous."
"They have speed."
"They have movement."
"They attack space very well."
He leaned slightly forward.
"And Salah…"
The room instantly became interested.
The Egyptian's name had been mentioned.
Koscielny nodded.
"He is fantastic."
Several reporters wrote that down immediately.
"He never stops moving."
"He attacks every gap."
"He makes defenders think constantly."
The Arsenal defender shook his head.
"If you lose concentration for one second, he punishes you."
A few journalists exchanged glances.
That was high praise coming from one of Europe's elite centre-backs.
Koscielny continued.
"Not only Salah."
"Firmino was excellent."
"Mane was excellent."
"Coutinho was excellent."
"Their front players work very hard."
The defender smiled.
"I'm happy we don't have to play them every week."
That generated another wave of laughter.
Even Wenger chuckled quietly.
The moderator pointed toward another journalist.
This time the question was directed at Francesco.
The reporter smiled.
"Congratulations on the goal."
"Thank you."
The journalist nodded.
"You've spoken before about respecting elite opponents."
"After facing Liverpool today, what are your thoughts on them this season?"
Francesco leaned back slightly.
Considering the question.
Then answered honestly.
"I think they're very good."
Simple.
Direct.
True.
The room waited for more.
And he continued.
"Their attack is one of the strongest in England."
Several journalists immediately looked up.
"They have pace."
"They have creativity."
"They have players who can change matches very quickly."
He glanced briefly toward Koscielny.
"What Laurent said about Salah is absolutely true."
The reporters scribbled notes.
"Salah is dangerous."
"Firmino is dangerous."
"Mane is dangerous."
"Coutinho is dangerous."
He smiled slightly.
"Honestly, the entire front line is dangerous."
That earned a few laughs.
Because it was accurate.
The journalist followed up.
"So where do you think Liverpool can still improve?"
A very interesting question.
The room became noticeably quieter.
Everyone wanted to hear the answer.
Francesco thought for a moment.
Then spoke carefully.
"I think their attack is already elite."
Several heads nodded.
"But…"
The room waited.
"I think defensively they can still improve."
Immediately pens started moving.
Not because the answer was controversial.
Because it was interesting.
Francesco continued calmly.
"Today I scored one goal."
"Which was nice."
That earned a small laugh.
"But honestly, I felt like there were opportunities throughout the match."
The journalists listened closely.
"There were moments where I could run behind their defensive line."
"There were moments where I could isolate defenders."
"There were moments where I could dribble into dangerous areas."
The captain shrugged.
"Against some teams, those opportunities don't exist."
A few reporters exchanged glances.
The analysis was fair.
Respectful.
But honest.
Francesco wasn't criticizing Liverpool.
He was evaluating them.
The same way players evaluated every opponent.
"I think Klopp has built something special."
He emphasized the point deliberately.
"So this isn't criticism."
The room listened.
"But if Liverpool continue improving defensively, they will become even more difficult to stop."
Several journalists nodded.
Because it was hard to disagree.
Their attack was already among the best in the league.
Adding defensive consistency would make them frightening.
Another reporter raised a hand.
"Do you believe Liverpool can challenge for the title?"
Francesco didn't hesitate.
"Absolutely."
The answer came immediately.
The room reacted.
Some reporters seemed surprised by how quickly he answered.
The captain noticed.
Then explained.
"You don't play a match like today and leave thinking Liverpool aren't contenders."
That generated several approving nods.
"We were leading the league before today."
"We've won two Champions Leagues."
"We've beaten a lot of very good teams."
His voice remained calm.
"And Liverpool pushed us all the way."
The room fell quiet.
That statement carried weight.
A lot of weight.
Francesco continued.
"If they maintain this level, they'll take points from everyone."
Wenger nodded slightly beside him.
Clearly in agreement.
Another journalist turned back toward the manager.
"Arsène, do you agree?"
The Frenchman smiled.
"Yes."
Simple.
Direct.
Then he elaborated.
"Sometimes football gives you clear evidence."
The room listened.
"Today provided clear evidence."
"Liverpool have quality."
"They have belief."
"They have an outstanding manager."
Wenger glanced briefly toward the assembled media.
"I expect them to be involved near the top of the table for a long time."
More note-taking followed.
More headlines being written.
The press conference continued for another twenty minutes.
Questions about the title race.
Questions about Arsenal's comeback.
Questions about Xhaka's free kick.
Questions about Sánchez.
Questions about squad depth.
Questions about the Champions League draw that continued approaching.
Wenger answered with his usual intelligence.
Koscielny answered with his usual honesty.
Francesco answered with his usual confidence.
Eventually the moderator announced the final question.
A journalist stood.
"One word to describe today's match?"
The room laughed.
Because asking football people for one-word answers rarely worked.
The reporter pointed toward Wenger first.
The manager thought briefly.
"Intense."
A good answer.
Very Wenger.
Then Koscielny.
The defender smiled.
"Exhausting."
The room laughed.
An equally fair answer.
Finally all eyes turned toward Francesco.
The captain considered it for a second.
Then grinned.
"Fun."
The room erupted.
Several journalists laughed immediately.
Even Wenger shook his head.
The reporter looked surprised.
"Fun?"
Francesco nodded.
"Seven goals."
"Two great teams."
"A comeback."
"A packed Emirates."
He shrugged.
"That's why we play football."
For a moment, even the journalists stopped writing.
Because sometimes the simplest answers were the best ones.
And deep down, everyone in the room understood exactly what he meant.
Football like that was fun.
For the players.
For the supporters.
For everyone.
Eventually the press conference ended.
The cameras switched off.
The microphones went silent.
And then Wenger, Koscielny, and Francesco rose from their seats, as they leave the room.
The moment the press conference ended, the atmosphere shifted again.
Not dramatically.
Just naturally.
The cameras had stopped rolling.
The microphones had been switched off.
The questions had ended.
For the first time in nearly three hours, there was nothing left for anyone to do.
No tactical discussions.
No interviews.
No analysis.
No football.
Just the slow process of going home after another exhausting Premier League afternoon.
Arsène Wenger stood first, collecting his notes while exchanging a few polite words with members of Arsenal's media department.
Laurent Koscielny stretched his shoulders and rolled his neck.
The defender looked every bit like a man who had spent ninety minutes trying to stop one of the most dangerous attacks in England.
Francesco grabbed his water bottle and followed them toward the exit.
Behind them journalists were already speaking rapidly into phones.
Stories were being written before they had even left the room.
Headlines were forming.
Quotes were being selected.
Opinions were already spreading.
That was modern football.
The match might have ended.
The conversation had only begun.
As the trio stepped into the corridor, the noise of the media room faded behind them.
Wenger smiled slightly.
"You were very generous."
Francesco looked at him.
"About Liverpool?"
"Yes."
The captain shrugged.
"I meant it."
"So did I," Wenger replied.
Koscielny nodded.
"They were excellent."
Nobody argued.
Nobody needed to.
All three had spent the afternoon experiencing Liverpool's quality firsthand.
The speed.
The pressing.
The movement.
The constant threat.
It was impossible not to respect it.
The walk back toward the dressing room continued quietly.
Players and staff occasionally passed them in the corridors.
A few stopped to exchange congratulations.
Others simply nodded.
Everyone looked tired.
The good kind of tired.
The kind that followed victory.
Eventually they reached the dressing room again.
Many players had already left.
Others were gathering belongings before heading home.
The atmosphere was relaxed now.
Comfortable.
Satisfied.
The kind of mood that only appeared after difficult wins.
Francesco stayed only long enough to collect the rest of his things before making his way out of the Emirates and into the cold London evening.
Outside, supporters still lingered around the stadium.
Some waited for autographs.
Some discussed the match.
Some simply wanted to remain close to the feeling for a little longer.
Victories like that created memories.
And nobody wanted the day to end too quickly.
Eventually the players disappeared into their cars and headed home.
The Emirates slowly emptied.
The lights gradually dimmed.
And London settled into another winter evening.
But elsewhere the match was only beginning.
Because now it belonged to the media.
The next morning football dominated every newspaper in England.
Every television channel.
Every sports website.
Every radio station.
Every football discussion.
Arsenal's dramatic 4-3 victory over Liverpool had become the story of the weekend.
And unsurprisingly, many of the biggest headlines centered around the words spoken by Wenger, Koscielny, and Francesco after the match.
Especially their assessment of Liverpool.
Across England, journalists replayed the quotes repeatedly.
"Wenger believes Liverpool have a clear identity."
"Koscielny calls Salah fantastic."
"Francesco says Liverpool are genuine title contenders."
The reactions were immediate.
And overwhelmingly positive.
Inside a Sky Sports studio, a panel of former players sat reviewing highlights from the match once again.
The goals rolled across the screen.
Sánchez's equalizer.
Özil's finish.
Xhaka's outrageous free kick.
Liverpool's attacking combinations.
Salah's movement.
The intensity.
The chaos.
The quality.
When the replay ended, the discussion shifted toward Liverpool.
One former defender leaned forward.
"I actually agree with Arsenal."
Another nodded.
"So do I."
The host looked surprised.
"You think Liverpool can challenge?"
"Absolutely."
The answer came instantly.
The analyst pointed toward the screen behind him.
"Look at how they played."
"They went to the Emirates."
"They attacked one of the best teams in Europe."
"They pushed Arsenal all the way."
He paused.
"They didn't look scared."
That point generated immediate agreement.
Because Liverpool hadn't looked intimidated.
Not once.
Even when falling behind.
Even when Arsenal's crowd became deafening.
Even when momentum shifted.
Liverpool kept playing.
Kept attacking.
Kept believing.
Another pundit joined in.
"The biggest difference is consistency."
The host nodded.
"Compared to last season?"
"Exactly."
The analyst pointed toward a league table displayed on the screen.
"Last season Liverpool finished fifth."
"They came close to the Champions League places."
"Very close."
"But they fell short."
Everyone remembered it.
Liverpool had shown flashes of brilliance.
Moments where they looked capable of beating anyone.
But there had also been inconsistency.
Dropped points.
Defensive mistakes.
Performances that prevented them from fully joining the title conversation.
This season felt different.
Noticeably different.
The analyst continued.
"Look at them now."
"They're in the top four."
"They've been there consistently."
"They've improved month after month."
He tapped the desk.
"And most importantly, they're starting to believe they belong there."
That statement resonated.
Because confidence changed everything.
Football teams often improved tactically.
Improved physically.
Improved technically.
But belief?
Belief could transform entire seasons.
Liverpool suddenly looked like a club that expected to compete with the biggest teams rather than merely hoping to.
Another pundit smiled.
"You know what's interesting?"
The others looked toward him.
"The praise is coming from Arsenal."
That immediately caught everyone's attention.
Because it was true.
These weren't journalists building hype.
These weren't Liverpool supporters getting excited.
These were opponents.
Elite opponents.
League leaders.
Champions League winners.
Players who had just beaten Liverpool.
And yet they had spent their entire press conference praising them.
The pundit continued.
"Francesco didn't say Liverpool were good because he wanted to be polite."
The analyst shook his head.
"No chance."
"He said it because Liverpool made his afternoon difficult."
Another replay appeared on screen.
Liverpool's front three combining at speed.
Salah attacking space.
Firmino dropping deep.
Mane sprinting beyond defenders.
The analyst pointed.
"That attack can hurt anyone."
Nobody disagreed.
Across the country similar conversations unfolded.
BBC Sport.
BT Sport.
TalkSPORT.
Everywhere.
The same theme emerged repeatedly.
Liverpool had arrived.
Not necessarily as title favorites.
But certainly as contenders.
One newspaper headline read:
LIVERPOOL EARNING RESPECT OF THE ELITE
Another:
WENGER AND FRANCESCO BACK KLOPP'S PROJECT
Another:
TITLE CHALLENGERS? ARSENAL THINK SO
The discussion spread throughout England.
Supporters debated it endlessly.
Some agreed immediately.
Others remained cautious.
Because football supporters were naturally skeptical.
Especially after previous disappointments.
One columnist wrote an article that gained significant attention.
His argument was simple.
Liverpool were not yet ready to surpass Arsenal.
But they were getting closer.
Much closer.
The article opened with a comparison between the two clubs.
Arsenal.
The established force.
League leaders.
Champions League winners.
A squad filled with proven winners.
A captain in Francesco who had become one of the best players in world football.
The mountain standing at the top of English football.
Then Liverpool.
The ambitious challenger.
The club climbing steadily upward.
Not yet at the summit.
But no longer far below it.
The writer used a phrase that quickly spread across football media.
"Arsenal remain the mountain Liverpool must climb."
Supporters discussed it everywhere.
The comparison felt accurate.
Because Arsenal had earned their position.
They weren't merely leading the league.
They had sustained excellence.
Season after season.
Competition after competition.
Liverpool, meanwhile, were still building.
Still improving.
Still learning how to handle the pressure of competing at the very top.
But the gap felt smaller than before.
Much smaller.
At Liverpool's training ground the following morning, several players noticed the coverage as well.
The headlines.
The analysis.
The praise.
Jürgen Klopp certainly noticed.
Though outwardly he remained exactly the same.
Calm.
Energetic.
Focused.
The German manager gathered his players before training.
Nothing dramatic.
Nothing emotional.
Just a simple conversation.
He reminded them of one important truth.
Respect was nice.
But respect didn't earn points.
Only performances did.
The players understood.
Still, hearing Arsenal speak so highly of them carried significance.
Especially coming from players like Koscielny and Francesco.
Elite players recognized elite opponents.
That respect had been earned.
Not gifted.
Back in London, Arsenal's players also saw the coverage.
Walker found it amusing.
Robertson found it interesting.
Xhaka found it completely predictable.
Because after playing Liverpool, most of Arsenal's squad shared the same opinion.
Liverpool were dangerous.
Very dangerous.
The conversation even resurfaced during recovery training.
Players sat in ice baths discussing the latest headlines.
Someone mentioned Francesco's comments.
Someone else mentioned Wenger's.
Eventually the conversation shifted toward the title race itself.
Because everyone knew what made the situation so fascinating.
Liverpool might be improving.
Liverpool might be rising.
Liverpool might become contenders.
But Arsenal still stood directly in front of them.
That reality hadn't changed.
The league table remained unchanged.
Arsenal remained first.
Arsenal remained the benchmark.
Arsenal remained the team everyone wanted to catch.
And that created an interesting dynamic.
Liverpool no longer looked like outsiders.
They looked like pursuers.
A club trying to close the gap.
A club trying to reach Arsenal's level.
A club trying to prove they belonged among the elite.
Later that evening, another football program dedicated an entire segment to the topic.
The presenter displayed two league tables side by side.
Liverpool last season.
Liverpool this season.
The difference was obvious.
Last year they had narrowly missed Champions League qualification.
Close.
Painfully close.
But still outside.
This season they looked far more stable.
Far more mature.
Far more consistent.
One analyst summarized it perfectly.
"Last year Liverpool looked like a talented team."
He paused.
"This year they look like a serious team."
The distinction mattered.
Talented teams produced highlights.
Serious teams produced results.
And increasingly Liverpool were producing results.
The analyst continued.
"They still have weaknesses."
He pointed toward statistics showing goals conceded.
"The defensive side can improve."
Another familiar observation.
Exactly the point Francesco had made.
"But that's the scary part."
The host raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
The analyst smiled.
"Because they're already this good."
The studio fell silent for a moment.
Everyone understood the implication.
If Liverpool fixed their defensive issues…
If they continued developing…
If Klopp kept building…
Then the ceiling remained incredibly high.
The conversation eventually returned to Arsenal.
Because every road seemed to lead back there.
The analyst looked directly into the camera.
"If Liverpool want to become champions, they eventually have to surpass Arsenal."
A simple statement.
But an important one.
Because that's how football worked.
There was always a team at the top.
Always a standard.
Always a benchmark.
At this moment, that benchmark was Arsenal.
And perhaps that was the greatest compliment Liverpool could receive.
Not that people were discussing whether they belonged in the top four.
Not whether they could qualify for Europe.
Not whether they could challenge for the Champions League places.
Those conversations were over.
Now people were discussing whether they could catch Arsenal.
Whether they could challenge the champions.
Whether they could climb the mountain.
And even if nobody knew whether Liverpool would ultimately reach the summit.
Almost everyone agreed on one thing, as they were climbing faster than ever before.
______________________________________________
Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 18 (2016)
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, and 2016/2017 Champions League.
Season 17/18 stats:
Arsenal:
Match: 28
Goal: 35
Assist: 1
MOTM: 4
POTM: 0
England:
Match: 2
Goal: 2
Assist: 0
MOTM: 0
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