The Emirates Stadium tunnel vibrated with the bassline of *North London Forever* as Ibukun adjusted his shin pads. Arsenal's anthem. Their fortress. Their rules.
**>> CONDITIONS:
>> - HIGH LINE (ARSENAL DEFENSE 35M FROM GOAL)
>> - KEY THREAT: SALIBA'S RECOVERY PACE
>> - MISSION: EXPLOIT SPACE BEHIND FULLBACKS <<**
Arteta stood across the tunnel, eyes locked onto Ten Hag. A chess match in real time.
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### **First Half – The Chess Game**
**6th Minute – Early Warning**
Arsenal's press was brutal. Rice intercepted a lazy pass from Dalot, fed Ødegaard, who slipped in Saka.
**Martínez's Tackle:**
- Stuck tight, didn't dive in
- Forced Saka onto his weaker left
- **Poke tackle—clean as a whistle**
The counter was on.
**Ibukun's Run:**
- Curved between Partey and Zinchenko
- Bruno's pass was overhit, but…
- **First Touch (85% Mastery):** Killed it dead with the outside of his boot
Saliba closed fast. Ibukun feinted left, then **backheeled** to Garnacho streaking past White.
**Garnacho's Shot:**
- Opened his body, aimed far post
- **Ramsdale's fingertips pushed it onto the bar!**
The away end gasped. Garnacho cursed in Spanish.
---
### **23rd Minute – The Opener**
Arsenal overcommitted. Ben White caught upfield, leaving space.
**The Sequence:**
1. Casemiro won a 50/50 vs. Havertz
2. Rashford drove inward, dragging Gabriel
3. **Slide-rule pass to Ibukun**
**The Finish:**
- One touch to set
- **Weak Foot (82% Mastery):** Lasered low across Ramsdale
- **Kissed the post and in. 0-1 United.**
**>> WEAK-FOOT MASTERY: 84%
>> LP EARNED: +2,000 <<**
**Celebration:**
- Ran to the corner flag, hand cupped to his ear
- Dalot slid in beside him, screaming
- Ten Hag's poker face cracked—a rare grin
Arteta kicked a water bottle.
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### **35th Minute – Arsenal's Response**
They came hard. Saka vs. Dalot was a mismatch.
**The Equalizer:**
- Saka rolled Dalot, cutback to Ødegaard
- **Dummy run by Havertz froze Martínez**
- Ødegaard's curler: **1-1.**
De Gea screamed at his defense. No one marked the overlap.
---
### **Second Half – The Grind**
**51st Minute – Martínez's Redemption**
Arsenal's corner. Saliba won the header—**goalbound.**
**Martínez's Goalline Clearance:**
- Flinging himself like a madman
- **Header off the line!**
- Landed hard, stayed down
Old school defending. The away end sang his name as he limped back into position.
---
### **68th Minute – The Moment**
United weathered the storm. Then, a gift.
**Rice's Mistake:**
- Tried to dribble past Eriksen in his own half
- **Stolen.** Eriksen looked up, saw Ibukun's run
**The Pass:**
- Weighted perfectly into space
- Ibukun vs. Saliba: **pace vs. pace**
**The Duel:**
- Faked to cut inside
- **Exploded outside instead**
- Saliba's ankle twisted—he went down
**The Finish:**
- Ramsdale came out
- **Chip (Newly Unlocked Skill):** Floating over the keeper
- **1-2 United.**
**>> CHIPPED FINISH MASTERY: 62%
>> LP EARNED: +3,000 <<**
**Celebration:**
- Pointed to Eriksen, then to the away end
- Rashford lifted him up
- Arteta's face: **priceless**
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### **Full Time – Statement Made**
**2-1 United.**
**Key Performers:**
- **Martínez:** 11 clearances, 1 goalline save
- **Eriksen:** 93% pass accuracy, 1 assist
- **Ibukun:** 2 goals, 4 dribbles, MOTM
As they walked off, a Nigeria FA official handed Ibukun an envelope.
**Super Eagles call-up.**
Jay-Jay's voice was thick with pride. *"Now the real work begins."*
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