The next day.
Bodymoor Heath Training Ground.
Dean Smith shifted the squad's focus to the impending showdown in North London.
After returning from Villa Park the previous night, Smith had stayed up until the early hours analyzing tape of Unai Emery's Arsenal.
During the morning session, Smith and John Terry ran the squad through targeted tactical drills.
Like Tottenham, Arsenal belonged to the traditional "Big Six."
Going to the Emirates was a massive test of character.
Smith's tactical blueprint remained heavily reliant on a rock-solid defensive foundation and lethal counter-attacks.
The match was universally billed as the highlight of Matchday 6. In the days leading up to kickoff, the English sporting press went into a frenzy.
Sky Sports: "The unstoppable promoted side faces their ultimate test! Can Dean Smith's men go to the Emirates and take points off Arsenal? It will be their toughest challenge yet."
The Guardian: "Both sides arrive following Thursday night Europa League action. While Villa comfortably dispatched Braga at home, Arsenal face a grueling turnaround after an away trip to Frankfurt. However, Emery's squad depth gives the Gunners a distinct advantage."
Daily Mail: "The match of the weekend! Fifth hosts second in North London. Emery is desperate to secure all three points at home, but can the 17-year-old prodigy orchestrate another miracle?"
Beyond the print media, Arsenal legends took to social media to voice their predictions.
Thierry Henry posted to his millions of followers, "Villa are on a brilliant run, but unfortunately, they are running into Arsenal at the Emirates. I'm predicting a comfortable 2-0 victory for the Gunners."
Paul Merson who's working for Sky Sports, was far more blunt.
"Aubameyang is going to tear that Villa high line apart. As for the kid in midfield, expect Granit Xhaka and Matteo Guendouzi to give him a brutal welcome to the realities of Premier League football. Arsenal take this easily!"
On the digital forums, the consensus favored the North London giants.
"Arsenal have won 13 league titles, Villa are a promoted side, put some respect on the name!"
"Emery outclasses Smith. The squads aren't even comparable."
"Villa beat Spurs, but we have Luiz, Xhaka, and Auba. We are invincible at home."
"We're going to put four past them. It's time for Villa to drop back down the table where they belong!"
....
The day before the match.
The Aston Villa squad arrived at their London hotel by coach.
At 6:00 PM, Dean Smith and Theodore attended the mandatory pre-match press conference at the Emirates.
Scanning the packed media room, Theodore spotted Laura Woods sitting in the second row, offering a subtle smile.
"Dean, what is your objective for tomorrow night?" a reporter from The Telegraph asked. "Are you coming here to secure a point, or are you pushing for the win?"
Smith paused, choosing his words carefully. "Arsenal are a traditional powerhouse of English football. Coming to the Emirates is difficult for any side."
He leaned closer to the microphone. "However, we are currently on a five-match winning streak in the Premier League. The squad is brimming with confidence, and I believe we possess the quality to defeat any opponent in this division."
It wasn't a direct answer, but Smith had laid down a marker.
Theodore was up next.
"Theo, you are the hottest property in the Premier League right now," a journalist from the London Sports Daily began.
"Rumors are circulating that City, Liverpool, and United are preparing massive bids for January. Are you considering a move away from Villa Park in the winter window?"
Theodore recognized the trap.
The reporter was trying to manufacture a sensational headline to unsettle the Villa dressing room.
"I'm only answering questions related to tomorrow's match," Theodore replied, his expression stone-cold.
The reporter pivoted. "Alright. Do you expect Unai Emery to focus his defensive structure entirely on stopping you? You are widely considered the engine of this Villa side."
"You should ask Mr. Emery that question, not me," Theodore answered flatly.
He paused as a slight arrogant smirk touching his lips. "Personally, I'd welcome it if they decide to double or triple-team me. It just means my teammates will have miles of open space to attack. And to be honest, their marking won't make a difference to my game anyway."
The press room fell silent.
Dozens of veteran journalists stared at the seventeen-year-old in disbelief.
The sheer arrogance of the statement was staggering!
A few reporters scoffed, their expressions turning sour at the blatant disrespect toward the Arsenal midfield.
Laura Woods caught Theodore's eye, offering a discreet, approving thumbs-up.
After Smith and Theodore exited, Unai Emery and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took the stage.
"Unai, Dean Smith just claimed his side can beat anyone, and Theodore Bjorn stated that your defensive marking won't affect his game," the London Sports Daily reporter pressed, eager to ignite a feud.
"What is your response?"
Emery offered a knowing, diplomatic smile. "Villa have won five consecutive matches and looked strong in Europe. They have earned the right to be confident."
The Spaniard's smile faded. "But tomorrow night, Arsenal will win. It's as simple as that."
The reporter pushed further. "What is your assessment of the seventeen-year-old making those claims?"
Emery didn't take the bait. "Theodore is a phenomenal talent. To be the focal point of a Premier League side at his age is an incredible achievement. We will be paying close attention to him tomorrow. As for the result... we will let the ninety minutes dictate that."
...
The next evening. 7:30 PM.
Inside the Emirates, sixty thousand Arsenal fans were in full voice, singing their pre-match anthems and creating a wall of noise that reverberated around North London.
Down in the tunnel, the two sides lined up.
Grealish was joking with a few of the English Arsenal players, while Theodore stood quietly at the back of the line.
[Ding! Mission Issued: Defeat Arsenal!]
[Ding! Mission Reward: Platinum Card]
Theodore's eyes sharpened.
A Platinum Card.
The System only handed those out for massive achievements.
The stakes had just been raised!
Meanwhile, up in the Sky Sports gantry, Peter Drury and Gary Neville set the scene for millions of viewers.
"Welcome, football fans, to Matchday 6 of the Premier League!" Drury announced, his iconic voice cutting through the stadium noise.
"It's a blockbuster Sunday clash as Arsenal host Aston Villa at the Emirates!"
"Fifth faces second tonight. Let's look at the lineups."
"Unai Emery sets Arsenal up in a 4-2-3-1. Bernd Leno in goal. A back four of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Sokratis, David Luiz, and Sead Kolašinac. A combative double pivot of Matteo Guendouzi and Granit Xhaka."
"Ahead of them, a frightening attacking trio: club-record signing Nicolas Pépé, Dani Ceballos, and the youngster Bukayo Saka. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads the line."
"For Aston Villa, Dean Smith has tweaked his system, opting for a 4-3-3. Tom Heaton starts in goal. A backline of Frédéric Guilbert, Björn Engels, Tyrone Mings, and Neil Taylor. In midfield, Theodore Bjorn and John McGinn operate ahead of Marvelous Nakamba, who makes his first start since arriving from Club Brugge."
"Up top, Anwar El Ghazi, Wesley, and Jack Grealish form the attacking trident."
"Gary," Drury turned to his co-commentator, "the history books do not favor the visitors today."
"They don't, Peter," Neville agreed. "In their last twelve meetings, Arsenal have won ten, with Villa managing only a single victory. The Emirates has been a fortress against this Birmingham side. Villa are flying high, but this is their biggest test of the season."
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