The players were starting to retreat toward the tunnel.
A burst of applause followed them as they left the pitch—but the chants didn't stop.
"STAY IN RED."
"STAY IN RED."
Because with everything else swirling, the match was still the match.
And once the whistle blew—talk would have to wait.
...…..
Arsenal's players were the first to emerge from the tunnel.
Saka leading the line out, Ødegaard behind him, then Izan—shoulders relaxed, laces already tightened, hair pulled back, chin up.
The Brighton crowd clapped them in politely.
They always did.
But the away end?
That was something else.
Packed.
Scarves raised.
The chant, still stayed even after the players went inside and now that they were out, it was louder than before.
"IZAN MIURA — STAY IN RED!"
"IZAN MIURA — STAY IN RED!"
Loud and a bit desperate, showing how they'd come to rely on Izan.
And Izan heard it.
