My Girlfriend Wants Victory

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The moment he took the ball from Mesut Özil with a fair tussle.

A chorus of boos erupted from the Arsenal fans at the Emirates Stadium, which can hold 60,704 spectators.

“Boooooooo─!”

“Ref, you bastard! Is your kid’s eyesight just a decoration?!”

Arsenal is notorious for having the priciest tickets in the Premier League.

In a scenario where you’re paying for those pricey tickets to watch a home game, only to get utterly crushed by a rival team, even the kindest person’s temper would be hard to keep in check.

Especially when facing a situation where the title of the only unbeaten team in Premier League history is on the line.

“If you’re gonna play like that, just refund my season ticket, you bastards!”

“I should’ve saved my paycheck, you pig-headed losers!”

Ultimately, the pent-up rage of the Arsenal fans was directed at their listless players.

The Arsenal players, flinching at Manchester United’s rough plays, began to shake off the boos from the crowd.

Thus unfolded a fierce match between Manchester United, aiming for an unbeaten title, and Arsenal, desperate to thwart that ambition.

***

15 minutes into the first half.

[Koscielny’s brave defense! He successfully blocks Ronaldo’s shot!]

At the moment Ronaldo’s shot was intercepted by Koscielny’s valiant defense.

“Ugh! So close! If it had just gone a bit more to the left, it would’ve been a goal!”

As always, Han Gyeouri, watching United’s game, let out a sigh of frustration.

Recently, she felt good about the overwhelming show of strength from Manchester United.

Even if they claimed victory in the 12/13 league season, they hadn’t shown such dominance as they do now.

But with the summer transfer, Manchester United redefined itself, acquiring Son Jinho and Ronaldo, making it a legendary transfer market.

While they did experience some crises along the way, United managed to navigate through successfully, centered around Son Jinho.

‘Are they really going to raise the Big Ear trophy?’

As the broadcast camera caught Son Jinho, Han Gyeouri stared intently at his face.

‘Hmm. He’s definitely matured.’

On February 20, 2010, the day Son Jinho had returned.

Han Gyeouri noticed something different about him right away.

Considering how much time they had spent together, it was almost natural.

The tenacity to win against even the smallest things had vanished from Son Jinho, replaced by a self-first attitude that made Han Gyeouri wonder if perhaps his very soul had changed. Yet, seeing his old habits still lingering, she resolved that his soul hadn’t changed.

‘Well, if his soul hasn’t changed, that’s good. Son Jinho is still Son Jinho.’

With that conclusion, as she saw Son Jinho, who decided to join Manchester United for himself, successfully snatching the ball, her hands clenched tight.

[The second ball goes to Arteta! But Son Jinho quickly applies pressure and takes it away! Son Jinho, a long-range shot!]

Son Jinho’s shot flew with lightning speed, piercing Arsenal’s net, and unable to contain her joy, Han Gyeouri shouted exuberantly.

“Wowaaa!! Mom! Dad! Haeun! Jinho scored again!!”

Meanwhile, as she was about to drift into a sweet nap, Son Haeun woke up to her mother’s roar.

She sprang up from her seat and waddled over to her mom.

“Hmm? Is Haeun trying to hug mama?”

Just as Han Gyeouri opened her arms to embrace her daughter, suddenly—

“Thwap!”

“Ow!”

Son Haeun gave her mother a sharp smack, signaling her to be quiet.

“Pfft, Haeun says it’s noisy and to keep it down.”

Watching this, grandma Hwang Mi-yeon burst into laughter.

***

The moment Son Jinho’s shot left his toes and found the net of Arsenal.

“Son Jinho~~ AHA~!”

The boos from the Arsenal home fans faded, replaced by cheers from the Manchester United away fans.

“Whooooa─!”

As Son Jinho ran to celebrate in front of the United fans.

“Mikel! Calm down!”

Arsène Wenger called Arteta, whose flawed play led to the goal, while simultaneously issuing tactical corrections.

Arsenal’s kickoff resumed.

They displayed their signature beautiful buildup.

25 minutes into the first half.

[Arteta manages to intercept the pass aimed at Son Jinho!]

After blocking Manchester United’s attack, Arsenal shifted to offense immediately.

A decisive chance unfolded from Özil’s feet as he initiated strong pressure.

Özil passed the ball to Olivier Giroud and made a penetrating run.

With Nemanja Vidić at his back, Olivier Giroud withstood the pressure and sent a return pass to Özil.

The momentary numerical advantage created by Özil’s run yielded a golden opportunity for Arsenal.

[Mesut Özil’s backheel!!!]

All eyes on Özil, he executed a flawless backheel pass to a perfectly positioned Giroud.

“Oooooooh!!!”

As Arsenal fans’ excitement peaked at the prospect of equalizing.

Boom─!

Olivier Giroud’s shot split the skies rather than the net.

“Bloody Hell!!”

“Giroud, you dumbass! I could’ve scored that!”

Arsenal fans gasped in disbelief at Giroud’s sky-high miss.

[Oh! Olivier Giroud’s shot cuts through the air!]

[Yes, but the buildup was truly beautiful, wasn’t it?]

[Indeed. Beautiful linking play starting from Mesut Özil’s feet. But alas, they fail to stamp it with a goal!]

Giroud’s little miss inspired a quick counter from United.

David De Gea’s goal kick aimed at Patrick Evra.

Evra unleashed his suppressed aggression, charging forward.

[Evra connects one-two with Son Jinho, racing up into Arsenal territory!]

After connecting with Son Jinho, Evra surged into Arsenal’s half and attempted a ground cross.

[Evra, cross!]

Robin van Persie, wide-eyed, took a direct shot while glancing over the advancing Arsenal goalkeeper Szczęsny.

Bang!

[Van Persie fires! Ah!! But Robin van Persie’s shot goes over the crossbar!]

Aiming to drive the final nail into his former team’s coffin, Van Persie narrowly missed, his shot skimming over the bar.

“Idiot Robin! Arsenal traitor! Now you’re betraying United too!”

Robin van Persie gritted his teeth, hearing jeers from the Arsenal fans.

“Damn it. I must make it up…”

***

1-0, with Manchester United leading as the first half concluded.

The two teams engaged in a fierce brawl throughout the first half, but surprisingly few goals emerged.

[In the end, Arsenal finds an equalizer! Olivier Giroud covers the scoring at the start of the second half with a corner kick!]

Arsenal succeeded in leveling the score right at the start of the second half.

[Olivier Giroud, who squandered a critical chance in the first half! Immediately after scoring, he dashes to the corner flag and roars!]

***

15 minutes into the second half.

In a match played just three days after the 25th round.

The players from both United and Arsenal were visibly fatigued.

During a brief pause due to Jack Wilshere pulling a muscle in his thigh.

“Mikel!”

“Jinho!”

Arsène Wenger and Alex Ferguson each called one player for instructions.

On Arsenal’s side it was Arteta, while for United, it was me.

Wenger then swapped Wilshere out for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to pump energy back into the game, allowing Arsenal to slowly take control.

***

[With just one minute left in regular time, Mesut Özil is gagging.]

[On United’s side, Cleverley is complaining about thigh pain. It looks like a substitution will be necessary. Yes. Darren Fletcher is starting to warm up.]

[Both teams are understandably struggling.]

As the final whistle approached and players’ energy levels reached extremes.

Arsenal launched their final assault.

[Three minutes of added time have been declared.]

United fans anxiously watched the referee signaling the additional time.

[Ferguson is arguing with the referee about the added time.]

The “Time Wizard” Alex Ferguson’s protest was caught on camera.

[Yes, from United’s perspective, the game hasn’t been interrupted, so this feels excessive.]

As the added time continued to tick away with little remaining,

[Özil has the ball! He spots Olivier Giroud!]

[Oh! Nemanja Vidić slipped!]

Vidić’s blunder unfolded just as he was slated for a move to Inter after this season.

[Giroud! Giroud sprints forward!]

Giroud burst into the space created by Vidić’s slip.

[Vrijg, in a rush, attempts to cover but it’s too late!]

Virgil van Dijk rushed, but it was already too late.

[Olivier Giroud!! Takes the shot!]

Giroud unleashed his strike.

As the United crowd squeezed their eyes shut.

[Oh, oh!! He stopped it! David De Gea denies Giroud’s shot!]

De Gea successfully saved Manchester United from the gates of hell.

[Virgil van Dijk clears the ball! And that’s the final whistle!]

[Arsenal pushed hard right up to the end. But Manchester United maintained their concentration and preserved the score!]

As the ball fell into the penalty box, van Dijk hurriedly cleared it, and the match ended in a draw between United and Arsenal.