"I am at the stadium. Your mum is here. The noise... just... be smart, son. And be brave. I am so proud."
Alex put his phone away. Be smart. Be brave. Be an "angry rock". He could do that.
The Emirates was not a stadium. It was a giant, red and white, roaring monster.
When Alex walked into the locker room, he could feel the building shake. The fans were already singing.
He sat at his locker, number 38. He was starting. The 'Diamond Hurricane'. Alex, Antoine, and Harry. With Mark as the first striker, and another hardworking forward, Trossard, beside him.
No. That was the old plan.
The manager, Steve, walked in. He put the tactics board up.
Alexs name was at the bottom of the diamond. The shield.
Antoines name was at the top. The sword.
Harrys name was at striker.
And... Trossards name was next to him.
Mark... Mark was on the bench.
