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Chapter 205: Champions League Quarterfinals, Second Leg
🕑 Added 2025-10-20 17:04:53 +0000 UTC“It’s Kai again! Another clean tackle!”
George Adams’ voice exploded through the commentary box. “Reus is having a nightmare tonight, and Dortmund are paying the price! They’ve been completely shut down by Kai!”
Arsenal’s midfield engine was everywhere—cutting, pressing, tackling.
Within the first twenty minutes, Borussia Dortmund’s passing lanes had been shredded. Kai had racked up three successful tackles and three interceptions already. Twice, Arsenal had come dangerously close to scoring.
If it weren’t for the Dortmund keeper’s heroics, the game might’ve been over before it really began.
At the Emirates, the fans were losing their minds.
They knew Kai had been in form recently, but this? This was next-level.
“What kind of midfield monster is this guy?” one fan shouted from the stands. “He’s single-handedly killing their attack!”
Reus, frustrated beyond belief, glanced toward Kai’s position. Making sure there was some space between them, he dropped back to receive the ball.
The moment it touched his foot—boom.
A shove from behind sent him stumbling forward.
He gritted his teeth, trying to protect the ball, but the pressure was relentless.
“Not again…” Reus muttered, spinning left to shield it for a back pass—only for a foot to sneak in and poke the ball away cleanly.
The next thing he knew, the pressure behind him vanished. Reus hit the turf, glaring at Kai’s retreating back, burning with frustration.
“For god’s sake… can’t someone else tackle for once?”
.
On Arsenal’s bench, Wenger and Pat Rice were just as stunned.
“This kid’s a machine,” Pat said, eyes wide. “Did Kai get hit with a lightning bolt or something? That’s… ridiculous efficiency.”
Wenger stroked his chin, half-amused, half-in awe. “You know, I used to think the idea of players growing under pressure was just a nice story. Now I think the ones before him just didn’t have the backbone.”
Pat gave him a sideways look. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”
“Pressure, responsibility—those are the things that shape a player,” Wenger said, smiling faintly. “The captain’s armband isn’t light, and Kai’s learning to carry it. Not many can do that.”
He leaned back, chuckling softly. “This boy… he never stops surprising us.”
Pat grinned. “Well, it’s the kind of surprise I’ll take any day.”
“So will I.”
Meanwhile, over on Dortmund’s bench, Klopp looked genuinely baffled. He rubbed his stubble, eyes glued to Kai.
“Did he… take something?” Klopp muttered under his breath. “How’s he this sharp all of a sudden?”
Kai’s intensity was throwing Dortmund’s midfield into complete disarray. Klopp could feel the game slipping.
He shot up from his seat and marched to the touchline, shouting at the top of his lungs, “Push up! Defensive mids, move higher and help the midfield!”
His voice boomed across the pitch. The Dortmund players responded immediately.
Kai, who didn’t understand German, turned to Podolski. “What’s he yelling about?”
Podolski translated quickly. “He wants their defensive mids to press up.”
Kai nodded, a faint smirk on his face.
Good, he thought. Finally took the bait.
As Dortmund’s line pushed higher, gaps began to open behind them. Kai exhaled, relieved—his non-stop pressing had forced Klopp’s hand.
He walked over to Cazorla, patting his shoulder. “Stage is yours now. Go finish the job.”
Cazorla thumped his chest with a grin. “Got it. Leave it to me.”
The plan was simple: once Dortmund’s mids pushed up, Cazorla would slice through the lines, carrying the ball near the box and linking up with the forwards.
Podolski, Suárez, and Walcott would all be lurking in dangerous positions, waiting for the final pass.
Even if nothing opened up, Cazorla could recycle possession—Kai would be waiting just behind for the long-range option.
And with Kai hovering there, the keeper would think twice before rushing out.
The adjustment helped Dortmund breathe again. Reus finally had space to move.
As soon as he received the ball, Kai was on him—but now he had support on both sides. With quick passing, he managed to pull off a one-two and slip past.
He was met immediately by Kai again, with Sagna closing in from the flank. Dortmund kept the ball this time, but the intensity of Arsenal’s press was still there—just less suffocating.
“Kluge Entscheidung von Klopp,” the German commentator sighed in relief. “Durch die Aufwertung des Mittelfelds wurde der Druck verringert. Zwanzig Minuten lang hatte Arsenal sie im Würgegriff.”
(Smart call from Klopp. Pushing the midfield higher has eased the pressure. For twenty minutes, Arsenal had them in a chokehold.)
But even as he spoke, the commentator added with a wry laugh:
“Dennoch… wenn wir heute Abend eines gelernt haben, dann ist es das: Lass Kai nie wieder in diesen Rhythmus kommen.”
(Still… if there’s one thing we’ve learned tonight, it’s this—never, ever let Kai get into that rhythm again.)
.
Le Kai’s tackles didn’t just break Reus’s rhythm — they shattered almost his confidence. Even the fans and commentators could barely keep their composure.
As the game’s tempo slowed, the Arsenal supporters in the stands finally exhaled in relief.
“Brilliant!”
Billy yelled, grinning from ear to ear.
In the opening twenty minutes, Kai had been nothing short of unstoppable — tackling with precision, pressing with intent, and forcing Dortmund into chaos.
He’d even pushed their defensive midfielders higher up the pitch, stretching their formation thin. It was a desperate adjustment — one Arsenal could easily punish.
With Kai’s sharp passing and Walcott’s blistering pace, every counterattack looked like it could end in a goal.
No one was bored despite the lack of goals; if anything, the tension made the spectacle even better.
Everyone could sense it — a goal was coming. All it would take was one lapse, one tackle, one perfect pass.
.
“Hold your shape! Don’t rush forward!”
“Kai! Close him down!”
“Nice one!”
Vermaelen’s voice echoed across the pitch, commanding and fierce.
It was only his second match back from injury, yet he felt sharper than ever. The pain and rust were gone — replaced by a strange calm.
He knew this might be his final stretch with Arsenal.
That knowledge carried a quiet weight.
He wasn’t content to be a forgettable captain — he wanted to leave something behind, something that would mean something to the club.
As the ball came spiraling toward him, Grosskreutz closed in. Vermaelen timed his leap perfectly, winning the header and knocking it down to Kai.
“Nice one!” Kai called out, scooping up the ball and turning sharply.
Lewandowski charged in, Reus closing from the other side.
Kai shifted his body, using his strength to hold off Lewandowski before swinging his left foot through the ball and spraying it wide.
Flamini collected it cleanly and slipped it forward to Cazorla.
In the center circle, Cazorla received the ball under pressure from Kirch. With one fluid motion, he pivoted on the ball, nudging Kirch with his shoulder as he spun away.
Kirch staggered — just enough for Cazorla to burst free.
“Damn it!” Kirch cursed, sprinting back.
Jojic was already tracking across to cover.
“Cazorla’s through the middle! He’s left Kirch behind — this could be trouble for Dortmund!”
George Adams’ voice rose with excitement as Cazorla charged diagonally toward the box, drawing defenders out of shape.
Hummels stepped up to challenge.
Cazorla was trapped on three sides — but that’s when he showed his genius.
Without slowing down, he feinted with his right leg, then flicked the ball backward with his heel.
It slipped neatly between Kirch’s legs.
Kai, who had been trailing just behind, pounced — striking the ball first time.
It sailed through the air, arcing into the penalty area before dropping toward the far post.
Podolski was there.
He launched himself, catching the ball perfectly on the volley — the shot crashed into the back of the net!
Dortmund’s defense froze, unable to react to Arsenal’s breathtaking sequence.
“Goal!!!”
George Adams’ voice exploded over the broadcast.
“Podolski! Back in the starting lineup after weeks on the bench — and what an impact!” Lee Dixon added, his tone full of admiration.
George continued, “But you’ve got to give credit to Kai and Cazorla. That entire move was just… beautiful football.”
Lee nodded. “Absolutely. Cazorla’s back-heel there — outrageous vision! He knew exactly where Kai was. That’s the kind of chemistry you dream of in midfield. Arsenal’s double pivot at its very best.”
