Chapter 762: A God
As an experienced goalkeeper, Bernd Leno understood all too well the capabilities of Europe's elite forwards. They could send the ball into the net from virtually any angle, exploiting even the narrowest of gaps. Such precision wasn't luck—it was the product of years of rigorous training and honed instinct.
But as a goalkeeper, Leno had his own instincts. When he saw Bruno winding up for a shot, he instinctively anticipated the angle and extended his left leg forward.
However, as soon as his foot moved, he realized something was wrong.
Bruno's shot was too fast, too sharp, and too precise.
And then there was the bounce.
Damn it!
Leno reflexively tried to lift his left leg higher, feeling the ball graze it. While he managed to alter its trajectory slightly, it wasn't enough. The ball struck the net, and Leno could only watch helplessly as it rolled past him.
"GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!"
"What an unbelievable shot from Bruno! A near-zero-angle strike!"
"This is absolutely incredible!"
"Manchester United needed just ten minutes to equalize!"
"Arsenal's defense was tight, organized, and impressive, yet even such a solid structure was no match for Bruno!"
"What a masterpiece of a goal!"
...
After scoring, Bruno erupted in celebration. He turned and sprinted off the field, leaping over the advertisement boards and charging straight toward the away fans. With his arms outstretched and fists clenched, he roared with pure, unfiltered emotion.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!"
Fans in the front row reached out to embrace his legs, while the 3,000 traveling United supporters exploded in cheers, momentarily silencing the home crowd of Arsenal fans.
No one could believe it—less than ten minutes after Arsenal took the lead, Bruno had produced a moment of magic with a near-impossible strike to level the score.
His form was simply unstoppable.
"From the slow-motion replay, this was nothing short of spectacular," the commentator analyzed. "But it wasn't just a brilliant individual effort—it was also the result of a carefully orchestrated tactical setup."
"You can see how Manchester United's attack develops here. Bruno orchestrates, Gündoğan's two incisive passes create movement, and though Harry Kane was well-marked, he intelligently played it back to Cancelo."
"And Cancelo, who has essentially been playing as a winger tonight, continued the attack down the flank."
"When Bruno saw no immediate opportunity, he drifted back outside the box to receive Cancelo's pass, before linking up with Gündoğan again."
"Bruno's off-the-ball movement was crucial—it stretched Arsenal's defensive line and created openings."
"And what about Gündoğan's pass? Perfectly weighted. Bruno's acceleration left Kolasinac in the dust, and his sharp burst past David Luiz was the icing on the cake."
"Then, of course, that outrageous finish—an absolute stunner!"
"This wasn't luck. United's attacks have been consistently well-executed tonight, showcasing the tactical work done in training."
...
Bruno, still roaring with joy, stood before the Manchester United fans. Behind him, his teammates mobbed him, pulling him back toward the pitch.
The celebration was electric.
For Arsenal, the opening goal had been a moment of triumph, and they'd maintained a strong attacking rhythm afterward. But in the face of adversity, Bruno had stepped up, delivering a critical equalizer and revitalizing United.
Over the past four seasons, Bruno had been the locomotive driving Manchester United forward. Teammates leaned on him as they marched toward glory, collecting Premier League titles, Europa League triumphs, Champions League victories, and countless other accolades along the way.
With Liverpool mounting a fierce challenge in the league this season, United's players were under immense pressure. Yet Bruno's heroics against Arsenal provided a glimmer of hope—perhaps, just perhaps, United could chase down Liverpool and claim a fourth consecutive league title.
For his teammates, Bruno was more than a captain. In their eyes, he wasn't just a player—he was a miracle worker, someone who could create magic out of thin air.
To them, he was a god.
...
"It's rehearsed! This must have been a pre-planned move!"
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta paced furiously along the sideline, his frustration evident.
He'd expected that Arsenal might concede at some point, but he hadn't anticipated it would happen so quickly—or in such devastating fashion.
"Ten minutes! It's only been ten minutes!"
Mikel Arteta, despite being visibly tense, forced himself to calm down. He was no stranger to high-pressure situations.
Manchester United's relentless attacking after falling behind, coupled with their pre-match preparation targeting Arsenal's left flank, had allowed them to equalize quickly. On top of that, Bruno's form was nothing short of sensational.
But those factors no longer mattered. Arsenal had already lost their lead, and the game's rhythm was in disarray. What mattered now was how to regain control and get back on the path to victory.
Arteta was painfully aware of the stakes. Although the Arsenal board had publicly expressed confidence in him, failing to secure a win in four consecutive games since taking charge would severely dent their trust.
Should Arsenal press forward aggressively? Or play conservatively and stabilize the game?
Arteta frowned in indecision, glancing at his assistant Freddie Ljungberg, the club legend. But Ljungberg appeared just as perplexed, clearly unsure of the best course of action.
At that moment, the responsibility rested squarely on Arteta's shoulders.
The memory of the last game against Chelsea loomed large in his mind. Arsenal had led for 83 minutes only to concede twice in the span of four minutes, squandering a hard-earned three points. Critics accused him of being overly conservative, as Arsenal had failed to maintain any real offensive momentum after taking the lead.
...
Another collapse today, this time against Manchester United, would be disastrous.
Arteta clenched his teeth, steeled his resolve, and stepped to the sideline, signaling his players to push forward and reclaim control of the ball.
After Bruno's equalizer, Arsenal made an effort to regain control, but United clearly had no intention of relinquishing their newfound momentum.
United's front three pressed Arsenal's defenders relentlessly, while the midfielders applied constant pressure on Lucas Torreira and Granit Xhaka, making it incredibly difficult for Arsenal to advance the ball effectively into the attacking third.
Finally, in the 26th minute, Arsenal managed a chance. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, positioned near the edge of the box on the right side, took a shot from about 15 meters out, but it was deflected by Victor Lindelöf.
Two minutes later, Arsenal attempted a long ball forward. However, Harry Maguire anticipated the play, used his body to block Alexandre Lacazette, and forced the striker into a foul, prompting a whistle and warning from the referee.
Despite these attempts, Arsenal's attack lacked the sharpness they had displayed early in the game.
...
Meanwhile, Bruno was observing Arsenal intently during the match. He quickly identified their weaknesses. Arsenal's struggles weren't just due to the disruption caused by United's equalizer—they were also a result of their poor physical condition.
Arsenal's lack of squad depth was glaring. Compared to the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and even Chelsea, Arsenal's rotation options were far more limited. The relentless fixtures of the Christmas period, known as the "festive fixture crunch," had left their players visibly fatigued.
This was especially apparent during moments of intense pressure.
United's players, accustomed to their aggressive style, would immediately press high after losing possession. Not only did this tactic aim to regain the ball quickly, but it also disrupted Arsenal's rhythm, exposing their lack of stamina and sharpness.
When Arsenal did manage to advance the ball into United's defensive third, they were met with a well-organized defense, forcing them into prolonged build-ups.
In contrast, United's quick counterattacks, especially down Arsenal's left flank, posed constant threats. Sead Kolašinac, Arsenal's Bosnian left-back, struggled immensely against the trio of Mbappé, Bruno, and João Cancelo. He was completely overwhelmed.
By the 31st minute, the pressure took its toll.
When Kolašinac received the ball, Bruno sprinted toward him with frightening intensity. The Bosnian defender panicked and hastily passed the ball sideways to David Luiz.
However, Harry Kane was lurking nearby and immediately intercepted the pass.
The English striker surged into the penalty area and unleashed a shot. But in his haste, Kane overcompensated for accuracy, sacrificing power. The shot lacked venom, allowing Bernd Leno to make a miraculous save, diving low to deny the goal.
The rebound fell to Marcus Rashford, who charged forward to capitalize, but Granit Xhaka reacted swiftly, clearing the ball just in time.
Though the immediate danger was averted, Kolašinac's error sent shockwaves through Arsenal's ranks. Their vulnerability was on full display.
The nerves were palpable.
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 40 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10