Football: Arsenal - Chapter 15: With a Grateful Heart, Thank You All (Patreon)

Good grief. Was The Sun not even trying to hide what it was doing anymore?

Most of the other journalists were stunned by the way the question had been asked.

Then again, this was The Sun, Britain's most notoriously shameless tabloid. It had a gift for finding the nastiest possible way to phrase a question.

Kieran's expression turned strange at once.

As luck would have it, the very first question aimed directly at him had come from The Sun. Since he rarely paid much attention to the media, he was beginning to wonder whether British journalists were all this ridiculous.

Was there anybody normal here? They were obviously trying to start a fight!

Arteta immediately came to his defense. “I'd ask this reporter to consider their questions carefully before putting them to us. We reserve the right not to answer unreasonable questions of this kind.”

Unfortunately, the reporter worked for The Sun, where a thick skin was practically a professional requirement.

Getting someone like that to admit a question was unreasonable would take a miracle. The reporter showed absolutely no sign of recognizing that Arteta's warning was directed at them.

Instead, they repeated the question to Kieran with an air of complete sincerity.

Kieran couldn't understand it. Why was a British newspaper so determined to make trouble for a British club?

He adjusted the microphone to the right height. He wasn't going to shrink away or dodge the question. He would answer it himself.

“Hello, uh, reporter from The Sun.”

“First, I think the beauty of football is that nothing in it is ever certain. The ball is round. Nobody wins forever, and no opponent should be dismissed just because they lost. There are players who will always deserve our respect.

“I asked Buffon to exchange shirts because, to me, he is absolutely one of those players.”

Facing the cameras, Kieran closed a fist and held it over his heart as a gesture of respect.

Then he continued.

“I've always believed that you have to make the most of the present. And tonight, in my first official match, I was fortunate enough to face a group of opponents I truly respect. I wanted their shirts as keepsakes.

“I wanted to do it, so I did. That's all there is to it.”

That was his answer to the reporter's insinuation.

“This was my very first official appearance. I've got a long way to go, and I don't want to claim that everything that happened tonight was entirely down to my ability. I think I was lucky, more than anything.”

“Which must make Buffon the unluckiest man in the stadium today.”

Over in the broadcasters' interview area, Buffon had just finished his own press conference when another group of reporters caught up with him. They played Kieran's remarks for him live.

Buffon burst out laughing as he watched. He returned Kieran's gesture of respect from afar, then nodded with a grin to acknowledge that he had indeed been tonight's unluckiest man.

Back at the Arsenal press conference, Kieran was still speaking.

“Sometimes, a brief encounter on a football pitch is enough for two complete strangers to become friends. And after the match, I thought my unlucky friend deserved a hug more than anyone.

“My friend Buffon has a generous heart and is a genuinely admirable person.

“He didn't just agree to swap shirts with me. He even generously helped me get shirts from his teammates. I might be too excited to sleep for days!”

With that, his answer came to an end.

Wenger, sitting beside him, was wearing the proud smile of a father watching his child grow up.

Everyone present, including the reporter from The Sun, responded with applause and warm laughter. It wasn't every day that a sixteen-year-old handled such a loaded question with that much ease.

And the way he spoke so freely and confidently made it almost impossible for anyone to take their eyes, or their cameras, off him.

The press had their story now. This boy was a natural in front of the media.

While the room was still marveling at him, another journalist asked a more friendly question.

“Lee, after achieving something so remarkable tonight, who would you like to thank?”

That one was easy. Kieran found his microphone again, smiled, and answered sincerely.

“Football is played by eleven people. Not one of my goals happened in isolation. My teammates kept running, winning tackles, finding precise passes, and helping me selflessly. Because of them, I was lucky enough to be the final link in each attacking move.

“I'm incredibly grateful to all of them. This victory belongs to every player in the team.

“And my greatest piece of luck is having a manager like Wenger, someone willing to place his faith in young players. His trust, and the beautiful, effective tactics he gave us, are what made tonight's result possible.

“Thank you, boss.”

Kieran turned to Wenger with an enormous grin.

Wenger had been watching him the whole time. He smiled back, his eyes full of pride and affection.

The photographers below the stage immediately started firing their flashes again.

Kieran soon continued. “But what moved me most of all was the love and support of the fans.

“Even when Arsenal were so far behind that there seemed to be no hope left, they were willing to cheer and applaud a substitute coming onto the pitch.

“Without that selfless love, I don't think I would have found so much of the strength I needed to help create a miracle.”

Looking straight into the cameras, he solemnly pointed to the club badge on his chest and applauded in thanks.

Wenger and Arteta joined him, applauding toward the cameras to send their gratitude to the supporters on the other side of the broadcast.

Watching the official livestream, the fans answered with cheers and thunderous applause of their own.

Loyalty to a club, and devotion to a particular player, grew out of moments just like this. Each unforgettable experience deepened that attachment.

For many of those watching, Kieran had already become a player they would support for life.

Back in the press room, he went on.

“I also want to thank my family and friends. They've supported me and helped me so much. Once everything's over, I'll share this happiness with them.

“And I'd like to show my respect to the match officials and everyone working for the club. Thank you to the referees for their professionalism, to the staff for their hard work, and to everyone at Emirates Stadium.

“Of course, I should thank our journalist friends as well. You waited here for as long as we played. That dedication deserves respect. You're an important bridge between the players and the fans, helping us share this celebration.”

Kieran smiled. “So could you make sure I look handsome in the photographs? Thank you!”

Laughter and applause broke out all around the press room, accompanied by another barrage of camera shutters.

His words had given the journalists a remarkably clear picture of his personality. He could be playful and impulsive like any teenager, yet he showed a sense of tact and empathy well beyond his years.

Most journalists were shrewd professionals, but they were still human beings. Being understood and praised so openly was bound to feel good.

Even the most stubborn, stiff-necked reporters couldn't help smiling. Several quietly added a few extra compliments to the descriptions they were writing of him.

When the laughter died down, Kieran spoke again.

“I really do want to thank my opponents once more. I'm not exaggerating when I say I grew up watching them play. Juventus supporters, please don't be angry. Your team has some truly wonderful players.

“And when I face opponents that good, I have to admit they bring out my desire to win. Come on, that was Buffon standing in goal! If I played well enough, stars like him might remember me for the rest of their lives.”

As though he'd been waiting for this moment, he pulled out the sheet of paper he'd collected from Juventus, now covered in signatures.

He held it up enthusiastically for every camera in the room, sending the journalists into another fit of laughter.

“Try not to be too jealous, everyone.”

Then he carefully folded the paper and tucked it back into his pocket.

“So when I look back on this particular match, I really do think I was extremely lucky.

“But from here on, I'll have to work hard and win matches through my own ability, to repay all the people who have put their hopes in me.

“Of course, any future opponent is welcome to think I'm just a lucky sixteen-year-old with no real talent. I'd be delighted if you thought that. I'd be very happy to give you and your team a special present.”

The last remark made the reporters laugh all over again.

To their delight, they were discovering that Kieran wasn't simply mature for his age. He had a spirit all his own.

It was the pride of youth. I can be humble, but if you underestimate me, you'd better be ready to pay for it.