God Of football

Chapter 388: Halftime Antics

The final moments of the half were breathless. Liverpool launched one final attack, Robertson whipping another ball into the box.

Gakpo and Gravenberch both flung themselves toward it, but Gabriel again made a heroic intervention, heading it away as the whistle blew for halftime.

Peter Drury: ”A relentless, pulsating half of football here in Los Angeles. Arsenal lead, but only just.

Liverpool have knocked on the door time and time again, yet it is the brilliance of one player—sixteen-year-old Izan—that separates the two sides at the break.”

The camera panned to Izan, wiping sweat from his brow as he walked off, exchanging words with Odegaard.

Arsenal had the advantage, but with another 45 minutes to go, the battle was far from over.

.....

As the players walked down the tunnel for halftime, Sofi Stadium was still buzzing with energy.

Fans from both Arsenal and Liverpool stood in clusters, engaged in heated discussions, while others quickly typed out their thoughts online.

In the Arsenal section, supporters were celebrating loudly, replaying clips on their phones of Izanʼs passes and involvement in the goals.

A group near the tunnel held up a massive banner that read:

”IZAN 10 – THE FUTURE IS NOW”

Some fans were still processing what they had just witnessed.

”Yo, this man Izan? Heʼs making this look too easy. I canʼt believe heʼs still a teenager.”

”Liverpoolʼs press is strong, but it doesnʼt even matter. Every time Izan gets the ball, we look like weʼre in total control.”

A few rows back, a father and son duo were engaged in an animated conversation.

The kid, wearing a brand-new Adidas Arsenal kit with a ”10” on the back, was practically bouncing.

”Dad, did you see that pass? The one to Havertz? That was like—like—like a video game!”

”Kid, that wasnʼt a video game. That was pure class.”

Meanwhile, in the Liverpool end, frustration mixed with reluctant admiration.

”Man, weʼre not even playing bad. Itʼs just Izan. The guy is everywhere.”

”I donʼt even wanna admit it, but youʼre right. Every time we try to build something, heʼs there breaking it up or launching a counter.”

Some fans were already debating what needed to change in the second half.

”We got chances. Salahʼs goal was a banger. But Izan? That kid is on another level. Feels like watching a prime David Silva with pace.”

”Bro, itʼs scary that heʼs not even in his prime yet. Imagine this dude in three years.”

One fan in a Steven Gerrard jersey was visibly frustrated.

”Man, I canʼt even be mad. Izanʼs just different. But still—Arne Slot needs to make adjustments. We canʼt let him dictate the whole game.”

Online, the football world was on fire as fans from all over debated the first half. The trending topics?

#Izan

#ArsenalVsLiverpool

#PreseasonMagic

#FutureBallonDor

Arsenal fans were already claiming victory.

”Izan is the truth. I donʼt care if itʼs preseason—heʼs running the game against Liverpool like a prime De Bruyne. WHAT A PLAYER!”

”People laughed when we signed him, said he wasnʼt proven. Now look at them. Our starboy.”

”Izan makes football look easy. That ball to Havertz was something out of FC 24.”

Liverpool fans were in agreement about one thing—Izan was the problem.

”Weʼre not playing badly. But letʼs be real, Izan is making the difference. Without him, this is a completely different match.”

”We need to press him better in the second half. Every time he touches the ball, he picks us apart.”

”Izanʼs vision is scary. How did he even see that pass for the second goal? Feels like weʼre playing against a young Iniesta with Mbappéʼs engine.”

Neutral fans were also loving what they were watching.

”This dude Izan is gonna be the face of football soon. Mark my words.”

”Stat check: Izan in the first half vs. Liverpool— 97% pass accuracy, 4 key passes, 1 goal, 1 assist, and 6 duels won. Unreal numbers.”

”Arsenal fumbled not giving Izan more minutes in the earlier games. An absolute gem of a player.”

Meanwhile, football analysts and influencers had already begun their halftime breakdowns.

”Izanʼs first half vs. Liverpool shows why heʼs one of the most exciting young talents in the world. A generational midfielder,” a Bein tabloid shone minutes after the half ended.

”Arsenalʼs new star is cooking in LA. Izan is controlling this game like a veteran. Liverpool struggling to contain him.”

”If youʼre watching #ArsenalVsLiverpool right now, you know: Izan is THAT guy.”

No matter which side fans were on, one thing was undeniable— Izan was the difference maker.

...

Inside the Liverpool dressing room, the atmosphere was tense but controlled.

Arne Slot stood in the center, his sharp gaze sweeping across his players. Despite being down at halftime, he wasnʼt about to lose his composure.

”Weʼre not far off,” he started, his voice firm but even. ”Weʼve had chances. Moʼs goal was world-class. But letʼs be honest—thereʼs one problem we havenʼt solved.”

The players didnʼt need him to say it. They all knew.

”Izan.”

Arne Slot exhaled sharply, rubbing his hands together as he looked around the dressing room.

His tone was calm but carried an unmistakable urgency.

”Listen up,” he said, locking eyes with each player. ”Weʼre struggling to contain one player. One player.

And if we donʼt find a way to stop him now, then I promise you—this isnʼt just a preseason problem.”

He let that sink in for a moment before continuing.

”Because come the Premier League, if we donʼt figure this out, weʼll be in for an exhausting season.

Every time we play Arsenal, this is what weʼll deal with. Izan is not just some kid having a good night—heʼs the real deal.

And if we let him dictate games like this, weʼre going to suffer, not just today, but in the league when points actually matter.”

His words carried weight. Even the most experienced players—Van Dijk, Salah, Robertson—listened intently.

Slot then turned to Mac Allister, nodding.

”Alexis, youʼve done your job well, but heʼs still slipping away. That canʼt happen.”

Then, shifting his gaze to Gravenberch, he made his decision.

”Ryan, youʼre doubling him with Alexis. No more space, no more time on the ball. If he drops deep, you follow.

If he moves wide, youʼre there. We cannot allow him to dictate the rhythm of this game.”

Gravenberch straightened, nodding.

”Got it, coach.”

Slot took a final look at his team.

”We are Liverpool. We do not let one player run the show. Now go out there and take back control.”

The players rose with renewed focus. As they stepped out of the dressing room, there was a shared understanding—this wasnʼt just about winning this game.

It was about setting the tone for the season.

...…..

In the other dressing room, the energy was high, but Mikel Arteta wasnʼt about to let that turn into complacency.

He stood in front of his players, arms crossed, eyes sharp. His voice was controlled, but the intensity never wavered.

”Well done, boys.” He let the words settle before adding, ”This is what I want to see from us. This is our football.”

He turned slightly, eyes landing on Izan, who sat with his boots untied, towel around his neck.

”Izan, fantastic. Youʼre running the game, making things happen, creating chaos for them.”

He nodded, a slight smirk forming. ”They canʼt handle you. They know it, we know it.”

Then, his expression turned serious. ”But listen carefully—this is Liverpool. Theyʼre not going to sit back and accept this. Theyʼll adjust, and we need to be ready.”

His eyes scanned the room.

”We cannot lose focus. There are moments where we take one touch too many, where weʼre too slow to move the ball. Thatʼs what theyʼre waiting for. Thatʼs what led to their goal.”

His gaze shifted to Zinchenko, who nodded, acknowledging his mistake.

”Weʼre playing well, but I want more. More control. More aggression. If we let them drag us into a physical battle, weʼre giving them what they want.”

He then stepped forward, hands gesturing firmly.

”Weʼre ahead because we play our game. Keep the intensity high, keep finding spaces, and keep trusting each other. Donʼt let up.”

Then, he addressed the midfield.

”Declan, I need you to be aware of Gravenberch now. They will probably be sending him to help Mac Allister with Izan or make someone who can do it.

That means we can exploit the space they leave behind. Martin, Kai, be ready to drop and link up.”

He clapped his hands once, his voice rising slightly.

”One half to go. Letʼs finish this the right way.”

The players nodded, the determination in their eyes clear. They had the edge, and they werenʼt about to let it slip.

As both teams emerged from their dressing rooms and filed into the tunnel, the atmosphere crackled with tension.

Players exchanged glances—some focused, others laced with quiet animosity.

Izan adjusted his sleeves, eyes ahead while from behind, Mac Allister and Gravenberch muttered between themselves.

No words were spoken.

A/n: First of the day. Okay guys. New month, new Author. I hope everything is going well for everyone and even if it isnʼt, we are still living. Thanks for supporting this novel and I hope you have a great month. Have fun reading and iʼll see you soon with the second chapter of the day.