[Few minutes into the game]
"Here's Izan, first real touch of the ball for Arsenal's talisman in this semi-final tie," Martin Tyler's voice rose above the atmosphere inside Wembley, the expectancy in his tone carrying the weight of the crowd's anticipation.
On the pitch, Izan carried the ball at his feet with that familiar, languid stride, never hurried until he wanted to be and never rattled, even in the opening intensity of a semi-final.
Bukayo Saka had already peeled wide to the right, clapping his hands and calling for the early pass.
But Izan slowed, almost to a jog, head tilted just enough to feign interest before rolling the ball back into the path of Declan Rice.
And then, he did something else.
With a small flick of his hand, Izan gestured, first towards Riccardo Calafiori, then Jurrien Timber.
Both full-backs had pushed high, perhaps a little too high.
Their lines overlapping with Odegaard in midfield left an uncomfortable gap behind them.
