The players were in place now.
Boots on turf.
A few Shirts tucked in.
Eyes narrowed under the floodlights.
The final pre-match whistles had blown, the coins had been tossed, and now all that remained was the first touch of the ball.
The scoreboard timer sat at 00:00, waiting for life.
Arsenal, playing in their away black with subtle white, red, and green trim, were set to start.
In the center circle, standing tall in the No. 9 role, Izan Miura Hernandez adjusted his footing as the ball rested motionless in front of him.
Just to his left, Ødegaard gave a short nod.
The rest of the side held their shape behind them, calm and disciplined.
On the touchline, Mikel Arteta stood with arms folded, his eyes already scanning the full width of the pitch as his first match of the second half of the season began, and very soon, KICKOFF
Izan tapped the ball back with his left foot after the whistle sounded.
