---
The Emirates was glowing.
Under stadium lights and the fresh layer of snow now melting beneath thousands of footsteps, it looked more like a cathedral than a football ground. A holy place for ninety-minute sermons written in sweat and thunder.
Tobi stepped onto the pitch during warmups, greeted by roars.
The North Bank sang his name. Loud. In rhythm.
"TO-BI! TO-BI! TO-BI!"
He didn't smile. Just glanced up to find Emilia in the front row—hood up, scarf covering half her face, but her eyes burning with belief.
That was all he needed.
> System Buff Activated: Emotional Anchor – Performance Stress -15%
Objective: 8.5+ Match Rating, Direct Goal Contribution, Win
Kickoff.
Arsenal in red and white. Aston Villa in dark green.
The whistle blew.
---
First Half: 0' – 45'
Villa pressed immediately.
Douglas Luiz and McGinn were animals in midfield. Aggressive. Snapping at heels. Tobi barely touched the ball in the opening five minutes.
Then he did.
