The King Of Arsenal

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As he prepared to call it a night, Francesco felt a deep sense of gratitude. The journey was just beginning, but with each step, he felt more confident and ready to face whatever came next. The dreams he once held as a boy were now within reach, and he was determined to seize every moment.

The next morning, Francesco woke up to the soft buzz of his phone on the nightstand. He groggily reached over, squinting at the bright screen. A message from Leah Williamson lit up his notifications.

"Hi! Are you free tonight? I was thinking we could grab some dinner or maybe catch a movie. What do you think?"

A smile spread across his face as he read her message. Leah was someone he enjoyed spending time with, her down-to-earth nature and shared love for football making their conversations effortless. He quickly typed back a response.

"Hey, that sounds great! I should be done with training by around 5 PM. I can pick you up after that?"

Almost immediately, her reply came through. "Perfect! Can't wait for tonight 😊."

Francesco chuckled, replying with a simple, "Me too 😄," before setting his phone down and stretching. The anticipation of the evening ahead added a spring to his step as he got out of bed.

He headed to the bathroom, the cool spray of the shower refreshing him as he planned out his day. After drying off, he grabbed his duffle bag and began packing a change of clothes, a hoodie, his cap, and a pair of black sunglasses—his go-to disguise for avoiding too much attention when out in public.

Dressed and ready, Francesco made his way downstairs, where the smell of freshly brewed coffee greeted him. His mom, Sarah, was already at the dining table, sipping her coffee, while his dad, Mike, was reading the morning paper.

"Good morning, sweetheart," Sarah greeted him with a warm smile. "Did you sleep well?"

"Morning, Mom. Yeah, I slept great," Francesco replied, taking a seat. "What's for breakfast?"

"Pancakes and bacon," Sarah said, placing a plate in front of him. "You need your energy for training."

As he dug into the hearty breakfast, Mike put down his paper, looking over at Francesco. "Big game coming up this weekend, eh? How are you feeling?"

"Confident," Francesco said between bites. "The team's in great form, and I'm feeling good. Just focusing on training today."

"That's what I like to hear," Mike said, giving him an approving nod.

Breakfast finished, Francesco grabbed his car keys, slung his duffle bag over his shoulder, and kissed his mom on the cheek. "See you later, Mom. Dad."

"Drive safe," Sarah called after him as he headed out the door.

Francesco walked to his Civic, a car he cherished for its reliability and comfort. He placed his bag in the back seat, then slid into the driver's seat, adjusting the mirrors before starting the engine. The hum of the car was familiar and soothing as he pulled out of the driveway and set off towards the Arsenal Training Centre.

The drive was peaceful, the early morning traffic light as he navigated the familiar route. His mind wandered to the training session ahead, thinking about the drills and tactics they'd be working on. But occasionally, his thoughts drifted back to Leah and their plans for the evening, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Upon arriving at the training centre, Francesco parked his car and made his way inside. The atmosphere was lively, his teammates already gathering on the pitch, exchanging banter and warming up. He joined in, greeting everyone with a smile and a few light-hearted jokes.

Training was intense, as expected, with the coaches pushing the players to their limits. They ran through tactical drills, worked on set pieces, and fine-tuned their passing game. Francesco felt sharp, his movements fluid and precise. The camaraderie among the players was palpable, each one driven by the desire to succeed.

As the training session progressed, Francesco found himself struggling to maintain his usual razor-sharp focus. His mind kept drifting back to the evening plans with Leah, the anticipation of their dinner and possibly a movie playing on a loop in his head. He tried to shake it off, forcing himself to concentrate on the drills, but the distraction lingered.

It didn't take long for his teammates to notice. Francesco, typically one of the most locked-in players during training, started making uncharacteristic mistakes. A misplaced pass here, a mistimed run there—it was enough to draw some raised eyebrows and puzzled glances from his fellow Gunners.

During a small-sided match, Francesco received the ball in a promising position. Instead of his usual decisive move, he hesitated, allowing the defender to close him down and dispossess him. The whistle blew, and the play reset, but not before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain came jogging over, a playful grin on his face.

"Oi, Francesco," Chamberlain called out, nudging him lightly with an elbow. "What's going on, mate? That's not like you. You're usually all over these training matches."

Francesco chuckled, shrugging it off. "Ah, just an off day, I guess."

"Off day?" Aaron Ramsey chimed in, overhearing the conversation. "You? Mr. Consistent? Come on, something's up. Spill it."

By now, a few more players had gathered around, curious about the usually focused Francesco's rare lapse. Santi Cazorla joined the circle, wiping sweat from his brow and looking amused.

"Yeah, Francesco, what's distracting you?" Cazorla asked, his eyes twinkling. "We've got to know."

Francesco laughed again, trying to brush it off. "Nothing, really. Just got a lot on my mind."

"A lot on your mind, huh?" Chamberlain said, grinning knowingly. "Sounds like someone's got a date tonight."

That comment drew a chorus of laughter and good-natured teasing from the group. "Aha! It must be a girl!" Chamberlain declared, his eyes narrowing playfully. "Come on, who is she? We need details!"

Francesco just shook his head, laughing but keeping silent. His refusal to elaborate only fueled their curiosity.

"I knew it!" Ramsey exclaimed. "That's the only thing that could make Francesco lose focus like this. He's thinking about his big night."

"Maybe we should all start dating," Cazorla joked. "Might help us relax a bit more during training."

The banter continued for a few more minutes, the light-hearted atmosphere lifting everyone's spirits. Despite the teasing, Francesco appreciated the camaraderie and support from his teammates. It was moments like these that reminded him why he loved being part of this team.

"Alright, alright, back to work!" the coach called out, clapping his hands to regain everyone's attention. "Francesco, focus up! We need you sharp for the weekend."

"Yes, coach!" Francesco responded, giving a mock salute and jogging back into position.

The rest of the session went smoother, though Francesco still found his thoughts occasionally drifting to Leah. He managed to keep his head in the game enough to avoid further mistakes, but the excitement for the evening ahead was undeniable.

As training wrapped up, Francesco headed to the locker room with the rest of the team. While they showered and changed, the teasing continued, with Chamberlain and Ramsey occasionally shooting knowing glances his way.

"So, Francesco," Chamberlain said as they were getting ready to leave, "you going to tell us about this mystery girl, or do we have to keep guessing?"

Francesco grinned, throwing his hoodie on. "Maybe one day, Ox. For now, you'll just have to wonder."

The guys laughed, giving him playful shoves as they headed out. Despite the ribbing, Francesco knew it all came from a place of camaraderie. These were his brothers on the pitch, and he valued their friendship deeply.

After the training session, Francesco headed straight to the showers, hoping the warm water would clear his mind and help him refocus. But as the steam rose around him, thoughts of the evening ahead with Leah crept back in. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of her laugh, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she was passionate about. The anticipation was a pleasant distraction, even if it had thrown him off during training.

Once he was done, Francesco towelled off and headed to his locker. He chose a casual look for the evening—comfortable but not too flashy. He pulled on a soft hoodie, one of his favorites, in a deep navy blue. As he slipped his jeans on, he glanced at his reflection in the mirror, adjusting the fit of the hoodie.

Next, he grabbed a cap, pulling it low over his face. It was a practical choice, meant to keep him a bit incognito. Even though he wasn't the most recognizable player in the world, he still wanted to avoid unnecessary attention. He tucked a pair of sunglasses into the pocket of his hoodie, a just-in-case measure for when he stepped outside.

As he finished getting ready, a few of his teammates were still lingering in the locker room. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who had been one of the main instigators of the earlier teasing, noticed Francesco's low-key outfit and couldn't resist a final jab.

"Looking sharp, Francesco!" Chamberlain grinned, throwing a playful punch in his direction. "Got the cap, the hoodie… all ready to sneak past the paparazzi, huh?"

Francesco chuckled, adjusting his cap a little lower. "Just trying to keep it low-key, you know? No need for any extra attention."

Aaron Ramsey chimed in from across the room, his voice laced with humor. "Low-key, huh? More like undercover agent. You sure you're not moonlighting as a spy?"

The room erupted in laughter, and even Francesco couldn't help but laugh along. The teasing was all in good fun, and he appreciated how his teammates could always lighten the mood.

"Alright, alright," Francesco said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I'll take the undercover look. Just don't blow my cover."

As he zipped up his hoodie and grabbed his bag, Santi Cazorla gave him a pat on the back. "Enjoy your evening, Francesco. And don't worry, we won't call the press."

"Yeah, have fun," Chamberlain added, winking. "We'll expect a full report tomorrow."

Francesco rolled his eyes but smiled. "You guys are relentless. Thanks, though. I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, he slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way out of the training facility. The evening air was cool and refreshing as he stepped outside. He pulled his cap a little lower, slid on his sunglasses, and started walking toward his car. Despite the jokes and teasing, he appreciated his teammates' well-wishes. It was moments like these that made the camaraderie of the team so special.

As he drove through the city, his thoughts returned to Leah. He felt a mix of excitement and nerves, wondering how the evening would go. They hadn't spent much time together outside of casual meet-ups, and tonight felt like a significant step forward.

Francesco found himself at a red light, tapping the steering wheel lightly as he glanced around. The city was alive with activity, people bustling about their evening routines. It reminded him of how much he loved the energy of London, the way it never truly slept. He smiled to himself, thinking about how Leah always seemed to find beauty in the chaos of the city.

The light turned green, and he continued on his way. As he neared the restaurant where they had planned to meet, he took a deep breath, trying to shake off the last remnants of nervousness. He parked his car a little distance away to avoid drawing attention, then walked the rest of the way, blending in with the evening crowd.

Francesco arrived at Leah's apartment, his heart beating a little faster than usual. He parked the car and took a moment to collect himself, glancing at his reflection in the rearview mirror. The nerves were normal, he told himself, part of the excitement. He grabbed his phone to check the time—he was right on schedule.

He stepped out of the car, pulling his hoodie up a little more and adjusting his cap. The evening air had cooled significantly, a soft breeze carrying the sounds of the city. He walked up to the entrance of Leah's building, his steps measured and calm.

The buzzer felt cold under his finger as he pressed it, and a moment later, Leah's voice crackled through the speaker. "Hey! Come on up, it's open."

Francesco smiled, a small rush of anticipation washing over him. He pushed the door open and made his way up the stairs to her apartment. When he reached her door, it opened before he could knock. Leah stood there, a warm smile on her face, her eyes lighting up as they met his.

"Hey," she greeted, stepping aside to let him in. "You're right on time."

Francesco grinned, stepping inside. "I aim to impress."

Leah laughed softly, closing the door behind him. "You always do."

Her apartment was cozy, a reflection of her personality. The warm tones of the decor, the neatly arranged books on the shelves, and the faint scent of vanilla in the air made the space inviting. Francesco took a moment to take it all in before turning back to Leah.

She looked effortlessly beautiful, dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit—a soft sweater and jeans, her hair falling in loose waves. Francesco couldn't help but feel a little awestruck, though he tried to play it cool.

"You look great," he said, his voice sincere.

Leah blushed slightly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you. You clean up pretty well yourself."

They shared a smile before Leah grabbed her jacket from the couch. "Ready to go?"

Francesco nodded, holding the door open for her. "Let's do it."

As they walked down to the car, the conversation flowed easily. They talked about their day, shared a few laughs about their colleagues and friends. The initial nerves began to fade, replaced by the comfortable rhythm they always seemed to find together.

Once they were in the car, Francesco started the engine, glancing over at Leah with a smile. "So, how was your day? Anything exciting happen?"

Leah leaned back in her seat, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Not as exciting as yours, I bet. But it was good. Just the usual—meetings, deadlines, and a few coffee breaks in between."

Francesco chuckled, navigating the car through the evening traffic. "Sounds thrilling."

"Oh, absolutely," Leah said, her tone teasing. "But tell me, did you survive all the teasing from your teammates?"

He groaned, shaking his head. "Barely. They were relentless. I'm pretty sure they're expecting a full report on tonight."

Leah laughed, her laughter filling the car. "Well, you'll have to give them something to talk about."

They continued to chat as Francesco drove, the city lights flickering past the windows. The restaurant wasn't too far, but the drive felt shorter with their easy conversation. Before they knew it, they had arrived. Francesco found a spot to park a little way down the street, once again mindful of avoiding too much attention.

As they walked toward the restaurant, Leah slipped her arm through his, a natural gesture that made Francesco's heart skip a beat. The warmth of her touch, the way she fit so perfectly by his side, made him feel a sense of calm he hadn't expected.

The restaurant was a cozy little spot, tucked away from the main streets, known for its intimate atmosphere and amazing food. Francesco had chosen it carefully, wanting somewhere they could relax and enjoy each other's company without the usual distractions.

The host greeted them with a warm smile, leading them to a quiet table near the back. The lighting was soft, casting a warm glow over the room, and the hum of quiet conversation added to the cozy ambiance.

As they settled into their seats, Francesco took a moment to appreciate the scene. Leah looked around, her eyes bright with curiosity and excitement. "This place is lovely," she said, glancing back at him.

"I'm glad you like it," Francesco replied, his smile genuine. "I thought it would be a nice change of pace."

They perused the menu, exchanging thoughts on what to order. The conversation flowed easily, punctuated by laughter and shared stories. Francesco found himself completely at ease, the earlier nerves replaced by a genuine sense of contentment.

The food arrived, beautifully presented and smelling delicious. They dove in, savoring each bite, their conversation pausing only for moments of appreciation for the meal. It was one of those nights where everything felt right—the food, the company, the atmosphere. Francesco couldn't remember the last time he had felt so relaxed and happy.

As the evening wore on, they talked about everything and nothing. Leah shared stories from her childhood, her dreams, and her love for the city. Francesco found himself opening up more than usual, sharing pieces of himself that he didn't often reveal.

Leah listened intently, her eyes never leaving his, her genuine interest and warmth drawing him in. It was easy to be with her, to talk to her. She made him feel seen and understood in a way that was rare and precious.

The night seemed to fly by, and before they knew it, the restaurant was starting to wind down. They lingered over their drinks, neither wanting the evening to end. But eventually, it was time to leave.

Francesco settled the bill, and they made their way back to the car. The city had quieted down a bit, the streets less crowded, the air cooler. Leah hugged her jacket closer as they walked, and Francesco instinctively draped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.

They drove back to Leah's apartment in comfortable silence, the warmth of the evening lingering between them. When they arrived, Francesco walked her to her door, the quiet hum of the city their only backdrop.

Leah turned to him, her eyes soft and full of warmth. "Thank you for tonight. I had a wonderful time."

Francesco smiled, his heart full. "Me too. It was perfect."

They stood there for a moment, the night wrapping around them. Then, Leah leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. "Goodnight, Francesco."

"Goodnight, Leah," he replied, his voice quiet.

As she slipped inside, Francesco stood there for a moment, the smile on his face unwavering. The night had been everything he had hoped for and more. As he walked back to his car, he felt lighter, the warmth of the evening carrying him through the cool night air.

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Name : Francesco Lee

Age : 16 (2014)

Birthplace : London, England

Football Club : Arsenal First Team

Championship History : None

Match Played: 3

Goal: 17

Assist: 6

MOTM: 4