THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME-Chapter 719: Match Ending
The tension at the Emirates Stadium was sky-high as the clock ticked past the 83rd minute. Liverpool, leading Arsenal 3-1, had just struck a crucial blow through Zachary's emphatic goal.
It was a match befitting the rivalry between two English Premier League heavyweights, with both sides battling for dominance in a season that saw Liverpool under Jürgen Klopp already chasing a historic unbeaten campaign.
But Arsenal, buoyed by their passionate supporters and the determination of their stars, were not ready to concede defeat yet. Unai Emery's men, known for their late flourishes, threw everything into attack as the game restarted.
The Gunners surged forward with relentless intensity. Mesut Özil, the orchestrator, weaved his magic through the midfield, finding pockets of space and threading incisive passes.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan also swarmed Liverpool's defensive line like a pack of wolves. Their interplay was sharp, their intent unmistakable, as they launched waves of attacks at the visitors.
However, Liverpool's backline, marshaled by the imperious Virgil van Dijk and his dependable partner Joe Gomez, remained resolute. Alisson Becker, the Brazilian goalkeeper who had been a revelation since his arrival in the summer, also stood tall between the posts, making critical saves to deny Aubameyang and Lacazette on two occasions.
With every clearance and interception, Liverpool showcased the discipline and resilience that had transformed them into a force to be reckoned with in Europe. Yet Arsenal's urgency meant there was no respite. Even as the clock struck 90 minutes, the Gunners pressed on, refusing to let the match slip away.
In the dying embers of normal time, Arsenal launched a final assault. Özil, sensing an opening, danced past two defenders before slipping a perfectly weighted pass to Aubameyang. The Gabonese striker, known for his blistering pace and lethal finishing, surged past Trent Alexander-Arnold and unleashed a thunderous strike toward the far post.
For a split second, it seemed the ball was destined for the net. But Alisson, in a moment of pure instinct, flung himself to his right and parried the shot away for a corner.
The Emirates groaned in unison, disbelief etched on the faces of Arsenal fans. Liverpool's traveling supporters, packed into their section of the stadium, erupted in chants of "You'll Never Walk Alone," their voices echoing into the North London night.
With the clock showing that it was the 94th minute, Arsenal knew this was their final chance to get another goal. Thus, as Özil placed the ball for the corner-kick, even goalkeeper Bernd Leno ventured into Liverpool's box, a rare and desperate gamble.
The tension that ensued was electric, every pair of eyes fixed on the melee in front of Alisson. The referee whistle soon sounded, and Özil's delivery came in, exquisite and curling toward the penalty spot with perfect precision. Chaos ensued as players jostled and leaped, desperate to get a touch. But it was Joe Gomez who rose highest, his towering header clearing the danger.
The ball fell to Sadio Mané on the edge of the box. Instinctively, he turned and began sprinting forward, Arsenal's goal glaringly unguarded.
The Senegalese winger, with his pace and composure, seemed destined to end the game in style. But Mkhitaryan, displaying commendable tenacity, tracked back and dispossessed Mané just after he crossed the border of the final third.
The loose ball somehow found its way to Trent Alexander-Arnold, who sought to maintain Liverpool's momentum. Yet Mkhitaryan's relentless pressure forced him to reconsider a forward pass or a shot towards the empty goal. Instead, he shifted the ball to Zachary, who had intelligently positioned himself in an unmarked pocket of space in the middle.
What followed was a moment that would be replayed countless times in highlight reels and remembered by fans for years to come. As Granit Xhaka closed in, Zachary executed a flawless Marseille turn, dragging the ball back with his sole and spinning away from his marker in one fluid motion.
The crowd gasped, and even the Arsenal players momentarily hesitated, caught off guard by the sheer audacity and elegance of the move. Raising his head, Zachary spotted Leno, Arsenal's keeper, still scrambling back toward his goal.
Zachary wasted no time. With his characteristic composure, he unleashed a ferocious strike from deep within his half, unleashing a missile towards the still unguarded Arsenal goal. The ball soared high, a perfect parabola illuminated under the stadium lights, as gasps of anticipation spread through the stands.
Leno raced frantically, his arms pumping as he tried to recover. But the ball, under the merciless pull of gravity, dipped quickly and bounced once before nestling into the back of the net.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still. And then, the Liverpool bench erupted in jubilation, Jürgen Klopp leaping into the arms of his staff as he celebrated with unrestrained joy. On the pitch, Zachary was mobbed by his teammates, their shouts of elation audible even over the stunned silence of the Arsenal faithful.
The Emirates, so alive with some hope moments earlier, was now a sea of dejection. Arsenal's players sank to the turf, their final gamble backfiring spectacularly. Leno, on his knees in the goalmouth, stared blankly at the net, a picture of despair.
For Liverpool, Zachary's 94th-minute strike was not just the icing on the cake—it was a declaration of their intent. In a season where every point mattered, where the chase for Premier League glory was as fierce as ever, moments like these were what defined champions.
As the referee blew for full-time, Liverpool's fans celebrated wildly, their chants ringing louder than ever. The players made their way to the away section, applauding the traveling supporters who had been their twelfth man. Klopp, ever the showman, fist-pumped in rhythm with the chants, his passion igniting the crowd.
-----
As the players exchanged handshakes and swapped shirts, the contrasting emotions on the pitch were obvious. Liverpool's squad was jubilant, their fans still singing in full voice, while Arsenal's players walked off with subdued expressions, their supporters silenced but loyal.
The result was another statement of intent from Jürgen Klopp's side, who looked every bit like title contenders.
In the Sky Sports studio, Kelly Cates sat ready, her expression a perfect mix of professionalism and enthusiasm. Beside her, pundits Jamie Redknapp and Alex Scott appeared equally eager to dissect what had been a captivating encounter.
The studio backdrop—a panoramic view of the Emirates pitch under the glow of the stadium lights—added an air of drama. Even as fans began filing out, the Liverpool section remained vibrant, their chants of You'll Never Walk Alone still echoing into the chilly London night.
"Good evening, everyone," Kelly began, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of excitement. "What a performance we've just witnessed. Liverpool have come to North London and delivered a masterclass, beating Arsenal 4-1. Goals from Firmino, Salah, and a brace from the remarkable Zachary sealed all three points. Jamie, Alex, let's dive straight into this. What did you make of that?"
Jamie leaned forward, his hands gesturing animatedly. "Well, Kelly, that's how you win a football match. Liverpool were clinical, disciplined, and absolutely ruthless when it mattered. They've sent a clear message to Manchester City and everyone else: this is a team ready to win the league. And Zachary—what can you say? Eleven goals in eleven games. He's transformed an already brilliant Liverpool attack into something frightening."
Alex nodded, her expression serious yet admiring. "Jamie's right. Zachary's been a revelation, but let's not forget the rest of the team. Salah and Mané were incredible tonight, constantly probing and creating space. The other midfielders also worked tirelessly, and that backline—Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were rock solid. Arsenal had their moments, but Liverpool's quality shone through. And Zachary? He's something special. That last goal was pure audacity."
The studio feed shifted seamlessly to a replay of Zachary's 94th-minute strike. The ball's trajectory—soaring high over the pitch and dipping into the net—played out in slow motion. Martin Tyler's iconic commentary filled the air: "And Zachary… from inside his own half… oh my word! That's unbelievable! It's 4-1, and Liverpool are unstoppable!"
Gary Neville, seated beside Martin in the commentary booth, chimed in. "I mean, what do you even say about that, Martin? The vision, the technique, the confidence—it's outrageous. He saw Leno scrambling back and thought, 'Why not?' And that's Zachary in a nutshell: fearless and brilliant."
The camera returned to the pitch, where Geoff Shreeves had managed to corner Jürgen Klopp for a post-match interview. Klopp, ever the charismatic figure, was all smiles, his energy infectious even through the screen.
"Jürgen, congratulations on a fantastic win. How pleased are you with the performance tonight?" Geoff began.
Read lat𝙚st chapters at fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓ Only.
"Ah, Geoff, very pleased!" Klopp said, his grin widening. "It was not an easy game. Arsenal are a strong team with great players, but my boys… wow. They showed everything tonight—heart, skill, and focus. And Zachary—what can I say? That last goal, it was something special. I think even I couldn't believe it when I saw it go in!"
"Eleven goals in eleven Premier League matches," Geoff pressed. "How crucial has he been for Liverpool this season?"
Klopp's expression turned earnest. "Very crucial. We already have world-class players, but Zachary gives us something extra. He can create something out of nothing, and he works so hard for the team. He's young, hungry, and humble—it's a perfect combination. He fits right in with the Liverpool spirit."
Moments later, Geoff managed to catch Zachary himself. The young forward, still wearing his kit and a wide smile, was surrounded by ecstatic fans clamoring for selfies. "Zachary, congratulations. Two goals tonight, and that fourth one was a jaw-dropper. Talk us through it," Geoff said, holding the mic toward him.
"Thank you," Zachary replied, his accent blending Ivorian French with traces of Italian from his time at Juventus. "I saw Leno was far from his goal, so I thought, 'Let's try.' I hit it well, and luckily, it went in. It's a special goal for me, but the most important thing is we won. The team worked hard, and I'm happy to help."
"Eleven goals in eleven matches," Geoff continued. "And you've been sensational this year and the last, winning the World Cup with Ivory Coast and lifting the Champions League and Serie A with Juventus. How do you handle the pressure?"
Zachary's smile softened. "I don't think about pressure. I think about the game, about my teammates, and about giving my best. Football is a team sport, and I just focus on doing my part."
Back in the studio, the conversation turned to Zachary's astonishing form and the Ballon d'Or, which loomed just a month away. Kelly addressed her pundits, "Jamie, Alex, Zachary has had an extraordinary year—Premier League brilliance, a World Cup victory, and success with Juventus. Is he the frontrunner for the Ballon d'Or?"
Jamie answered first, his voice firm. "For me, he is. Winning the World Cup is the ultimate achievement in football, and Zachary didn't just win it—he was instrumental for Ivory Coast. Add to that his success in the Champions League and Serie A, and now what he's doing for Liverpool… he's got everything you look for in a Ballon d'Or winner."
Alex, ever the pragmatist, added, "He's definitely in the favorite, but let's not forget the competition. Messi, Ronaldo, Modrić—they've all had phenomenal years and are respected in the entire football community worldwide. But Zachary brings something fresh to the table. If he keeps this up, it'll be hard for voters to overlook him."
The discussion naturally shifted to Liverpool's upcoming fixtures. Kelly pointed to the on-screen fixture list, highlighting the challenges ahead. "Next up, Liverpool face Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade in the Champions League, followed by Premier League games against Fulham and Watford. Then it's another Champions League blockbuster against PSG in Paris before the Merseyside Derby against Everton. Jamie, how do Liverpool manage such a demanding schedule?"
Jamie exhaled audibly. "It's brutal, Kelly, but Liverpool have the squad to handle it. The game in Belgrade will be tricky—the atmosphere at Crvena Zvezda's stadium is intimidating, to say the least. But Klopp knows how to prepare his players for such tough environments. The PSG game will be massive, too—two of Europe's great attacking teams going head-to-head. And the derby? Anything can happen there, but Liverpool have the momentum."
Alex added, "The key will be depth and rotation. Klopp has players like Shaqiri, Keïta, and Sturridge who can step up when needed. If they manage these games well, they could come out of this run stronger than ever."
As the broadcast neared its conclusion, Kelly summarized the night's events. "An unforgettable evening here at the Emirates. Liverpool were dominant, Zachary was sensational, and the title race just got even more exciting. Thank you, Jamie, Alex, Martin, Gary, and Geoff, for your insights. And thank you to our viewers for joining us. From all of us here at Sky Sports, goodnight."
As the cameras lingered on the Liverpool fans still singing in the stands, their joy was palpable. It had been a night of brilliance and resilience, a performance that would be etched in memory.
-----
