As February's fixtures drew to a close,
waves of unrest rippled across European football.
On one hand, the reason was obvious:
Arsenal had finally lifted their first trophy in eight long years.
For Kai, the world's most expensive signing,
this was his first final with the Gunners—
and he led them to glory with absolute dominance!
On the other hand, there was another reason:
2012 might not have been a World Cup year,
but it was still a tournament year.
By summer, the European Championship would kick off!
At this point in time, Spain were at their peak.
Fresh off their World Cup triumph two years earlier,
La Roja boasted a squad stacked with Barcelona and Real Madrid stars.
Countless media outlets predicted:
this year's Euros would once again mark the height of Spain's dynasty.
But everywhere, heated debate erupted—
all revolving around Arsenal's superstar captain,
the youngest Ballon d'Or winner in history:
Kai!
With the Euros fast approaching,
what national team would he choose?
The Gunner captain held dual nationality with Spain and Portugal.
Would he choose Portugal,
teaming up with Cristiano Ronaldo?
Or would he join La Roja,
extending Spain's reign and adding a crowning jewel to his career legacy?
Or perhaps…
make an entirely different choice?
"I think Kai should join Spain! Sure, he had conflicts with Barça, but Florentino and Mourinho at Real Madrid are both huge admirers of him!"
"Exactly! Spain may be full of Barcelona players, but there are plenty from Madrid too. And Spain is at its peak right now. Representing them would guarantee trophies—it would massively boost his résumé!"
"No, Kai should represent Portugal! If Real Madrid are chasing him, remember who their superstar is—Cristiano Ronaldo! And don't forget, Kai and Ronaldo share the same agent. It makes perfect sense for them to become teammates with Portugal!"
"Right! Imagine Ronaldo up front, Kai in midfield—that's a dream come true!"
"Portugal doesn't have the pedigree. Spain is still the better option!"
"Pedigree? Kai doesn't need it! Honestly, with his ability, he could carry China into the World Cup knockouts! And Spain's full of Barça players—joining them would be bad luck!"
"You're all wrong. Kai's never played club football in Spain or Portugal. He's played in England the whole time. In my opinion…"
Fans chattered endlessly.
And it wasn't just Spain or Portugal.
In Germany, Borussia Dortmund—
the very club Arsenal had destroyed in the Champions League group stage—
made a move as well.
Their coach, Jürgen Klopp,
had reached out to Jorge Mendes through intermediaries.
Could Kai be persuaded to wear the jersey of Die Mannschaft?
It had only been about a year and a half since Kai's debut,
but in that short span, before the eyes of the world,
he had already produced historic, era-defining performances!
He had claimed the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year,
trophies countless legends had failed to win in their entire careers.
He held three major championships already,
while his personal stats utterly dwarfed every other player.
At the club level, he dominated without equal.
So on the international stage, the world was convinced—
Kai would unleash a storm of chaos there too.
While the world speculated about his choice,
the English media would not stay quiet.
As Kai's most loyal supporters,
they could not bear the thought of England's greatest treasure,
the first true megastar in their footballing history,
choosing another nation.
"Our super prodigy has conquered London, conquered all of England!"
"This land of football has countless fans ready to follow him to the end!"
"There is no one more suited to lead the Three Lions than Kai!"
"I believe if Kai chooses to lead England, Steven Gerrard himself would gladly hand him the captain's armband!"
The debate raged on.
Kai's national team decision had become the hottest topic in world football.
But during all this noise,
Arsenal's focus remained fixed on one thing:
the last match of February.
At the end of the month,
they would face Valencia again—
the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16!
In the first leg, Arsenal had traveled to the Mestalla,
and thrashed Los Che 5–0.
Five away goals in the bag—
the tie was already considered dead and buried by pundits.
For Valencia to score five at the Emirates,
just to force extra time,
let alone overturn the deficit—
it was practically impossible.
February 27.
Champions League matchday arrived.
The Round of 16 second legs began in full swing.
And on this night—
North London stirred once again.
Arsenal fans erupted into thunderous roars!
Flags waving in their hands, chanting the Gunners' slogans.
From streets and alleys they surged out,
all flooding toward the Emirates Stadium!
The Gunners' supporters were ablaze with passion!
Just one week ago,
their young Gunner King had led Arsenal to win a long-lost trophy —
their first championship in eight years.
For Arsenal fans this season,
with that first crown in hand,
their ambitions had already become limitless!
"With the Gunner King leading us, our goal is every single trophy!"
"The FA Cup, the Champions League, the Premier League! Every title is on our blueprint!"
"Crush Valencia! We're going to march smoothly into the Champions League quarter-finals!"
"Let every team in Europe tremble because of us!"
Under the night sky above the Emirates,
Arsenal fans stood united as one!
Once more, they turned their magnificent home ground
into a terrifying fortress!
At the pre-match press conference,
Valencia's manager, Unai Emery, appeared somber.
"Reaching the Champions League Round of 16 already equals Valencia's best result from last season. To draw Kai's Arsenal in this knockout stage… truly an unfortunate fate."
"But no matter what, it's too late now. Tonight, my team and I will give everything we have."
Emery set down the microphone,
his head hanging in despair as he left the media room.
Reporters on site eagerly captured the scene.
After losing the first leg by five goals,
Valencia's manager Emery
had clearly lost all hope of a comeback!
The Kai of today was like a demon king,
leading his team across all fronts,
putting unimaginable pressure on every opponent!
On the other side, in Arsenal's media room,
Wenger spoke with concise confidence.
"After tonight, all the other European teams advancing to the Champions League quarter-finals had better be alert!"
"I don't think anyone wants to face Arsenal led by our young Gunner King too early!"
The press corps immediately erupted in noise!
Wenger's words revealed overwhelming confidence!
But thinking about it carefully—
he wasn't wrong at all!
Among all the clubs across European football now,
who would willingly face this Arsenal early?
Under Kai's leadership,
the Gunners had yet to taste a single defeat this season,
maintaining a winning streak across every competition!
Even the dominant champions of their own leagues
dared not claim absolute confidence
that they could calmly handle this Arsenal side!
Under the London night sky,
as the clock struck eight,
the Emirates Stadium roared to life!
The second leg of this Champions League Round of 16 tie had begun!
~~----------------------
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