The King Of Arsenal

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This was his dream, and every day—whether it was Champions League nights or Premier League grinds—brought him closer to making it a reality. With that comforting thought, Francesco let himself drift off to sleep, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.

The soft glow of winter sunlight filtered through Francesco's bedroom window, casting a pale sheen over the snow-covered neighborhood. He stretched lazily, his muscles protesting slightly from yesterday's training. As his eyes fluttered open, he was greeted by the serene sight of snowflakes gently cascading from the sky. A small smile crept onto his lips. Christmas morning.

Francesco swung his legs over the edge of the bed, his feet sinking into the plush warmth of the rug below. The cold still managed to seep into the room despite the heater humming softly in the background. He grabbed a towel and headed straight for the bathroom, the chill in the air pushing him to take a hot shower.

The bathroom filled quickly with steam, and the hot water felt like a blessing against his skin. He let it run over him for a few minutes, washing away the last remnants of sleep and the aches from training. Francesco's thoughts wandered to the day ahead—Christmas with his family, a rare opportunity to relax before the grind resumed.

Once he was out, dressed in comfortable lounge clothes, he made his way downstairs, the smell of something delicious pulling him toward the dining room. His stomach rumbled in anticipation as he stepped inside.

His mom, Sarah, was busy in the kitchen, a picture of holiday cheer. She had just finished cooking a golden turkey, its skin perfectly crisp, and was arranging roasted potatoes around it. On the counter sat a tray of gingerbread cookies fresh out of the oven, their spicy-sweet aroma mixing with the savory scent of the turkey.

"Morning, sweetheart," Sarah greeted him without looking up, her voice warm. "Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, Mom," Francesco replied, moving to give her a quick hug.

At the dining table, his dad, Mike, was already seated with a cup of coffee in one hand and the day's newspaper in the other. He glanced up with a smile, his eyes twinkling behind his reading glasses.

"Merry Christmas, son," Mike said, setting the paper down.

"Merry Christmas, Dad," Francesco responded, taking a seat across from him.

The table was set beautifully, with festive red and green accents. A bowl of freshly cut fruit sat in the center, next to a jug of orange juice and a plate of croissants.

"Breakfast first," Sarah said, carrying over a plate of scrambled eggs and sausages. "Then we'll move on to the turkey later."

Francesco dug in eagerly, savoring the hearty breakfast. The eggs were fluffy, the sausages perfectly seasoned, and the croissants buttery and soft.

"So," Mike began, sipping his coffee, "any plans for today after we open presents? Or are you going to spend the whole day in front of the TV watching football?"

Francesco laughed, shaking his head. "I'll probably watch some games, but I'll stick around. It's Christmas, after all."

"Good," Sarah chimed in, bringing over another dish. "We don't get to have you home as much as we used to. It's nice to have a day like this."

After breakfast, the family moved to the living room, where the Christmas tree stood tall and bright. Its branches were adorned with twinkling lights, shiny baubles, and a star that Francesco had placed at the top the week before. Piles of wrapped presents sat beneath it, a mix of festive reds, greens, and silvers.

"Shall we?" Mike asked, picking up a gift and handing it to Sarah.

They took turns opening presents, the room filling with laughter and exclamations of delight. Francesco received a new pair of boots—perfect for both casual outings and his training sessions—along with a sleek jacket that his dad claimed would "make him look like a proper gentleman."

"Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad," Francesco said earnestly, holding up the jacket with a grin.

"You deserve it," Sarah replied, beaming.

As the last of the wrapping paper was cleared away, Francesco leaned back on the couch, his heart full. He watched as his parents exchanged a few private words, their love for each other evident even in the smallest gestures. Moments like this reminded him of what mattered most, no matter how busy life got.

The rest of the day unfolded in a comforting rhythm. Lunch was a grand affair, with the turkey taking center stage. Sarah's roasted potatoes were crispy and golden, complemented by a rich gravy and a side of roasted vegetables.

"This is incredible, Mom," Francesco said between bites.

"Glad you like it," Sarah replied, her cheeks flushed with pride.

Mike nodded in agreement, raising his glass of wine. "To Sarah, the real MVP of this Christmas feast."

They all laughed, clinking their glasses together—Mike and Sarah with wine, Francesco with apple cider.

For dessert, the gingerbread cookies made their grand appearance, along with a surprise chocolate cake Sarah had baked the night before. Francesco helped himself to a generous slice, savoring the sweetness as they settled in for the afternoon.

Francesco leaned back on the couch, his stomach full and his heart even fuller. The warmth of the room, the soft glow of the Christmas lights, and the sound of his parents' cheerful chatter created a perfect festive atmosphere. He reached for his phone, unlocking it with a quick swipe and opening the Instagram app.

His fingers hovered over the camera icon as he turned the phone toward himself. The Christmas tree glimmered in the background, its lights twinkling softly. With a smile, Francesco snapped a selfie, capturing the moment perfectly. He quickly typed out a caption:

"Merry Christmas 🎄! Wishing you all a day full of love, laughter, and good food. Stay blessed! 🙌"

Satisfied, he hit the "post" button. Within moments, the notifications began flooding in. Fans from all over the world liked and commented, sending their warm wishes and holiday cheer.

"Look at you, Mr. Celebrity," Mike teased from his armchair, noticing Francesco's amused expression as he scrolled through the comments.

"Just saying hi to everyone," Francesco replied, laughing.

As he went through the flood of messages, he noticed a few familiar names popping up.

@theowalcott: "Merry Christmas, mate! Hope you're enjoying the day!"

@jack_wilshere: "Merry Christmas, bro! Don't eat too much turkey, we've got work to do tomorrow!"

@aaron_ramsey: "Merry Christmas, Francesco! Catch you at the match tomorrow!"

Francesco's grin widened as he typed out replies to each of them.

"Merry Christmas, Theo! Enjoy the day with your family!"

"Haha, don't worry, Jack. I'll be ready for tomorrow!"

"Thanks, Aaron! See you soon, mate!"

As more comments poured in, Francesco felt a sense of connection, not just to his fans but to his teammates. They might be scattered across different homes, spending Christmas with their own families, but moments like this reminded him of the camaraderie they shared.

After replying to a few more comments, Francesco set his phone down on the coffee table and stretched his arms above his head. His mom, Sarah, walked in with a bowl of popcorn and a cozy throw blanket draped over her arm.

"Alright, what's the plan for the afternoon?" she asked, setting the popcorn on the table.

"Christmas movies," Francesco said immediately.

"Good choice," Mike agreed, setting aside his newspaper.

Sarah handed the blanket to Francesco, who spread it across the couch before gesturing for her to sit next to him. She plopped down with a contented sigh, and Mike joined them, carrying another mug of coffee.

Francesco grabbed the remote and pulled up Netflix, scrolling through the selection of Christmas classics. They finally settled on Home Alone, a family favorite that never failed to bring laughs.

As the movie played, the room was filled with the sound of laughter—Sarah chuckling at Kevin's mischievous antics, Mike shaking his head with an amused grin, and Francesco grinning at the familiar, heartwarming scenes.

Halfway through, Sarah reached for the popcorn, only to find the bowl nearly empty.

"Francesco!" she exclaimed in mock outrage. "Did you eat all the popcorn?"

Francesco raised his hands in defense, his mouth still full. "Not all of it!" he protested, laughing as Sarah playfully swatted his arm.

Mike chuckled, shaking his head. "You're going to need to run an extra mile at training tomorrow after all this, son."

Francesco grinned sheepishly but didn't seem the least bit concerned. Moments like these—where everything was simple, joyful, and filled with love—were worth every indulgence.

After Home Alone, they decided to keep the festive spirit going with The Polar Express. The soothing narration and magical visuals had everyone glued to the screen. Even Mike, who was usually more interested in football than animated films, seemed captivated.

By the time the second movie ended, the sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the snow outside. Francesco glanced out the window, watching the light fade and the first stars begin to twinkle in the evening sky.

"Thanks for today," he said suddenly, turning to his parents.

Sarah looked at him, a little surprised. "For what?"

"For everything," Francesco replied, his voice sincere. "The food, the laughs, the time together. I don't get to spend days like this with you guys as often as I'd like, and it means a lot."

Mike placed a hand on Francesco's shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We're proud of you, son. And no matter how busy life gets, we'll always make time for days like this."

Sarah nodded, her eyes glistening with emotion. "Always, sweetheart."

Francesco smiled, feeling a warmth that no amount of snow or cold could dampen. The evening passed in a comfortable haze, filled with more stories, laughter, and even a competitive round of board games that had Sarah accusing Mike of cheating—an accusation he vehemently denied.

As the evening wound down, Francesco excused himself and headed back to his room. The warm glow of his bedside lamp illuminated the space, a mix of personal touches and trophies from his footballing journey. He sank into the chair at his desk, grabbing his laptop to watch the QPR highlights. Tomorrow's match was an important one, and he wanted to familiarize himself with their recent gameplay.

The video loaded quickly, showing QPR's last few games. Francesco leaned in, studying their formation, key players, and strategies. He noted how their striker, Charlie Austin, had been on fire lately, scoring in almost every match. Their wingers were quick, constantly looking to exploit space on the flanks. Francesco made mental notes on how to counter these threats, visualizing himself on the pitch, anticipating their moves.

The analysis didn't feel like work to him; it was just another way to deepen his understanding of the game he loved. His passion for football had always been his driving force, and even on Christmas night, he couldn't help but dedicate time to improving.

Once the highlights ended, Francesco leaned back in his chair and stretched. He closed his laptop and glanced over at his PS4, sitting on the shelf next to his TV. A grin spread across his face as he reached for the controller. It was time to unwind with a few matches in FIFA 15.

He turned on the console, the familiar chime filling the room as the Arsenal logo appeared on the screen. Francesco had been deep into his virtual career mode, managing Arsenal and leading them to glory. It was a fun escape, but it also gave him a chance to experiment with tactics he might try in real life.

His current season was going well, but the upcoming fixtures were challenging. Arsenal was sitting at the top of the virtual Premier League table, with Manchester City breathing down their necks. Francesco relished the pressure—it reminded him of the real thing.

He navigated the menus quickly, loading up his career save. The match he had lined up was against Chelsea, always a tough opponent. Francesco adjusted his starting lineup, ensuring his players were fit and ready. He couldn't resist chuckling as he substituted his virtual counterpart into the squad—a highly-rated midfielder with a penchant for scoring long-range screamers.

The game kicked off, and Francesco immediately got absorbed in the action. The virtual Emirates Stadium was alive with cheers as his team pressed forward. Controlling his players with precision, he orchestrated a beautiful passing sequence that ended with a goal. The commentator's excited call made him grin.

"Still got it," he muttered to himself.

The match wasn't without challenges. Chelsea's AI was ruthless, and their defense was rock solid. Francesco found himself yelling at the screen when a perfectly timed tackle from John Terry thwarted his attack. But he didn't give up. With a clever switch in tactics—pushing his wingers higher up the pitch—he managed to break through and score a second goal.

When the final whistle blew, Arsenal emerged victorious with a 2-1 win. Francesco leaned back in his chair, satisfied. He saved his progress and took a moment to reflect on how similar the intensity of the virtual game was to the real thing. FIFA might be just a video game, but it often helped him think creatively about strategies.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, Francesco decided it was time to call it a night. He powered down the console and stretched, feeling a mix of excitement and calm. Tomorrow was going to be a big day, but tonight had been exactly what he needed—a blend of family, relaxation, and a little bit of preparation for what lay ahead.

He changed into his pajamas and climbed into bed, pulling the blanket over himself. The world outside was quiet, the snow still falling softly, blanketing everything in a serene white. Francesco's thoughts drifted to the day's highlights—the laughter with his parents, the warmth of their love, and the small but meaningful moments that made Christmas special.

As his eyes grew heavy, he whispered to himself, "Merry Christmas, indeed." And with that, he drifted off to sleep, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.

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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: 6

Assist: 1

MOTM: 2