[Continued from Chapter 4]
The score stood at Arsenal 1 – 1 Liverpool. The 71st minute had just passed, and the Emirates buzzed with intensity. Fans on both sides could feel the tension growing. Every pass, every misstep, every foul drew a visceral reaction. The match had become more than a contest of football—it was psychological warfare.
For Diogo Jota, this was more than just another match. It was another step away from death, another tether to the thread of life he refused to let snap.
The System Interface remained translucent in his peripheral vision. He'd grown used to its constant presence—like a guardian whispering truths only he could hear.
⚠️ Final Phase of Fate Thread ACTIVE
Window: Minute 70–Full Time
Risk Zone: 79% → 81%
Scenario Trigger: Unstable Defensive Sequence + Momentum Shift
He exhaled deeply as he jogged back into position. Arsenal had just equalized from a rapid transitional play that exposed the right flank after a miscommunication between Alexander-Arnold and Endo.
Slot's voice barked from the technical area: "Focus! RESET! Don't let them take control!"
The crowd was roaring, and yet Jota felt eerily calm. He knew the danger had just begun.
72nd–75th Minute – Arsenal Pressure
Arteta's men smelled blood. Odegaard dropped deeper, dragging Gravenberch with him, creating a vacuum of space for Saka to cut inside. Havertz ghosted between the lines, rotating rapidly with Martinelli, making zonal marking chaotic.
Liverpool's back line had begun to retreat subconsciously, shrinking the vertical space. A textbook error. Arsenal thrived in this exact condition—when the lines blurred and Liverpool lost their pressing structure.
📉 Defensive Shape Integrity: 62%
⚠️ Warning: High xG Zones forming in Zones 14 + Right Half-Space
Suggested Action: Press Anchor Node (Partey) / Delay Final Ball
Jota made a split-second decision. He cut off Partey's passing lane with a sudden diagonal press, surprising the Ghanaian, who underhit a pass toward White.
Szoboszlai pounced. The Hungarian intercepted, turned smoothly, and slipped a pass into space.
"NOW!" Jota barked, breaking behind White.
He received it in full stride, cutting in at the edge of the box. Gabriel closed fast.
Instead of shooting, Jota dummied left, chopped right, then pulled it back to Gakpo arriving late.
Gakpo struck hard—Raya saved.
But it was a statement.
✅ Momentum Reversal Initiated
Confidence Buff: Activated Team-wide (5 min duration)
76th–79th Minute – Tactical Chess
Slot made a change: Gravenberch OFF, Curtis Jones ON.
Jones slotted in left center-mid, with instructions to provide additional press resistance and recycling.
Klopp might've praised Slot's adjustments. Jota saw the logic instantly. Arsenal had overloaded the central zone; Jones's ability to turn under pressure would provide relief.
Meanwhile, Jota recalibrated.
⚙️ New Micro-Objective Activated: Involve in Next 3 Passing Chains (x3 Pass Bonus)
He began dropping deeper, assisting build-up play. He connected with Jones, then Robertson, then drifted between White and Saliba to provide a passing outlet.
A 14-pass sequence unfolded. It culminated in a curling effort from Salah, deflected wide.
The System chimed:
🔄 Tactical Harmony Achieved
Coach Trust: +1
Stability Gained – Fate Thread Risk drops: 81% → 76%
Jota smirked. But it wasn't over.
80th–84th Minute – Arsenal Fight Back
The home side surged again. Arteta subbed in Trossard and Jorginho. Arsenal switched to a 3-2-5 in possession.
It confused Liverpool momentarily. Zinchenko inverted fully, acting as an additional central midfielder. White tucked into the back three. This allowed Arsenal to overload Liverpool's second line.
Odegaard began orchestrating triangles with Trossard and Saka. Liverpool's left side buckled.
Alisson was called into action twice in quick succession—first to deny Saka at the near post, then to tip over a Trossard curler.
⚠️ Fate Thread Risk Spike: 76% → 85%
Potential Scenario: Defensive Clearance – Aerial Duel – Whiplash Injury
The System's alert made Jota's heart skip. He knew the pattern—defending corners late in matches was when chaos reigned.
85th–88th Minute – The Breaking Point
Corner to Arsenal.
Odegaard floated it in. Saliba rose, nodded it toward the far post—
—Jota leapt to clear.
⚠️ Danger Zone: MID-AIR COLLISION DETECTED
Adjust Trajectory? Y/N
Jota twisted midair, just barely avoiding Ramsdale who had come up recklessly. He landed awkwardly—but on his feet.
✅ Collision Avoided. Fatal Thread Evaded.
System Note: "Alternate Death Timeline Disengaged – 6/12 Complete"
The crowd never noticed. But Jota had just cheated fate—again.
89th–93rd Minute – The Final Surge
Liverpool launched one last attack.
It started with Konaté winning a duel against Havertz. He fed Jones, who surged forward with fresh legs. Salah peeled wide, Jota timed his run.
Jones slotted it.
Jota raced past Gabriel. He looked up. Raya stepped out.
He chipped it.
Anfield rose.
The ball dipped—
—and skimmed the bar.
Gasps echoed across both fanbases.
❌ Skill Check Failed – Precision Chip (Lv. 0)
Jota grimaced. So close.
FULL TIME: Arsenal 1 – 1 Liverpool
Both sides had given everything. The tactical war had ended in a stalemate, but Jota knew better.
For him, it was a victory. Not because of goals—but because he was still breathing.
📘 Match Summary:
Minutes Played: 35
Key Passes: 3
Assists: 0
xA: 0.41
System Gains: Fate Thread Deactivated (6/12) | +2 Coach Trust | Skill XP (Visionary Link-Up)
In the tunnel, Jota exhaled deeply. Isabela had messaged him already:
"Still breathing? :) Proud of you."
He smiled.
🔓 New Objective Unlocked – Matchday 25 vs Burnley: Control the Tempo
Difficulty: Medium
Trait Growth Path: Tempo Maestro (Locked)
The next battle loomed. But tonight, he had survived.