Izan leaned back in his seat, watching the Colney fields through the windows of the bus.
They'd spent all week building toward this.
No wild speeches, no late tweaks—just repetition, film sessions, silent focus.
He remembered one final tactical run the day before when Arteta had frozen play during a pressing drill and made him swap roles with Martinelli.
"If you're starting wide left today," Arteta had said, "show me you can hurt them from here."
Martinelli had grinned.
"If he doesn't, I'm taking it back."
But Izan had kept the spot and would be playing on the wings for the match against Villa.
Now, as the final bags were loaded and the bus doors hissed shut, Izan pulled out his phone and began searching for some music before settling on a slow-paced one.
The ride to Villa Park was ahead.
...........
The Arsenal team bus slowed to a smooth halt outside Villa Park's player entrance, the matte black paint gleaming under the early afternoon sun.
