The Emirates Stadium — North London
The sky had that signature post-rain glow—pale grey but streaked with soft light.
Floodlights carved golden outlines across the slick pitch as the fans filled in early, wearing more scarves than shirts this time of year.
The energy wasn't nervous.
But it was tight and freezing.
Arsenal sat first in the table.
31 points.
Still unbeaten in the league.
But just behind them, was Liverpool with 27 points and still hungry.
Nottingham Forest, surprisingly, were fifth.
Not a fluke.
Not anymore or at least for the season.
And now they had the chance to punch up again.
The broadcast rolled its slow montage as the commentary team stepped in over it.
Ian Crocker's voice came through, steady and rich with that hint of British drama:
