Everyone anticipated what was next—everyone, except for Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji. Stranded, Akanji controlled the ball at midfield, overconfidently took another touch, and before Ruben Dias could warn him, Brennan Johnson had stripped him of the ball.
Akanji faltered, Johnson tumbled, and the ball rolled into open space. Son Heung-min seized the moment, charging towards the goal with destiny at his heels. At this instant, the potential outcome was clear: if Son scored, he would propel Arsenal to the forefront of the title race; if he missed, Manchester City would secure their position, prolonging Arsenal’s two-decade title drought.
As Tottenham’s leader zeroed in on City’s net, Johnson lay on the ground, powerless. On the sidelines, Pep Guardiola mirrored this helplessness, clutching his head in dismay, crouching in angst as he hoped his year’s efforts wouldn’t go up in smoke.
A Snapshot of Emotions: Guardiola’s Universal Experience
In that instant, Pep Guardiola mirrored every football fan. He embodied the Arsenal supporter who leaned forward, gripping their seat, yelling at the screen. He reflected the Manchester City fan who, overwhelmed, could neither bear to watch nor turn away. He was the Tottenham supporter, feeling a sting of conflicting emotions. In those brief seconds between Akanji’s mishap and Son’s strike, memories flooded back—of Demba Ba’s breakaway, of Kelechi Iheanacho’s missed opportunity, and of Thomas Muller’s shot narrowly missing as Raheem Sterling was gripped by anxiety.
Unlikely Hero: Ortega’s Crucial Saves Alter Title Race
Son’s attempt was as much a failure on his part as it was a testament to Ortega’s reflexes. The goalkeeper extended a seemingly instinctive leg, anticipating the direction correctly. Yet, Son’s execution lacked force, sending the ball weakly towards Ortega, aimlessly rolling like a distracted man unsure of his purpose upstairs.
In an unexpected twist, Ortega was in goal following a severe incident where Ederson clashed with Cristian Romero, necessitating his substitution. Despite Manchester City’s depth, it was the unheralded 31-year-old German, a free transfer from Arminia Bielefeld and a suggestion of City’s goalkeeper coach Xabier Mancisidor, who stood between the posts. Ortega, rarely recognized even on Manchester’s streets, became the linchpin in a critical match.
Before the game even concluded, Kyle Walker and Ruben Dias were already celebrating Ortega’s performance, acknowledging his pivotal role in fluorescent green. His defense against Dejan Kulusevski, especially during a decisive 21-minute appearance, not only secured him the player of the match but also drastically influenced the match’s outcome.
Guardiola openly credited Ortega’s performance: “If not for Ortega’s interventions, Arsenal would be champions today,” he declared. “Stefan’s remarkable save was pivotal. He embodies the best of one-on-one situations, influenced by his German upbringing to stay upright and resilient. Despite Ederson’s recurring injuries this season, Stefan has proven himself incredibly reliable and a brilliant signing, thanks to our goalkeeping coach’s excellent judgment.”
Guardiola’s Fear and Tottenham’s Missed Opportunity
Despite his apprehensions, Pep Guardiola openly expressed his concern when Son Heung-min charged towards the goal. Known for his uncanny ability to consistently outperform his expected goals, Son’s precision in finishing has made him a formidable figure. His tenure at Tottenham has been marked by numerous instances of exploiting defensive lapses to score.
Guardiola recounted the frequent times Son, along with Harry Kane, has overwhelmed his team over the years. “You know how many times Son has punished us the last seven or eight years, how many goals they score with Harry Kane,” Guardiola reflected, somewhat exasperatedly.
However, in a twist of fate, Son’s shot missed its mark, leading to a shift in the stadium’s atmosphere as Tottenham fans celebrated with the Poznan dance. Meanwhile, Manchester City still faces the challenge of defeating West Ham at the Etihad Stadium to secure their position. The unpredictable nature of football keeps Arsenal fans hopeful, dreaming of a turn in their favor, despite the planning underway by Manchester City for a victory parade and West Ham players organizing their summer vacations.
Thus, the wait for a championship title extends for Arsenal. In a peculiar twist characteristic of football, Son’s missed opportunity might just become a legendary part of his legacy with Tottenham.
