As the final whistle blew, Manchester City's last desperate offensive ended without a goal. In the 96th minute—considering Arsenal's stoppage-time goals and substitutions—the referee, Michael Oliver, granted a bit of extra time. But when Mannone secured Manchester City's final cross, the game was effectively over.
"The game is over! The game is over! The game is over!! Manchester City were the winners for the first 89 minutes. They can be said to have won 93% of the game, but at the last moment, Louis, who came off the bench, scored two goals in a row. The ball helped Arsenal reverse the score!" Andy Gray's voice boomed with excitement.
"Once again, I would like to solemnly introduce the guy who directed this shocking reversal: Louis Dupont, born in 1995, a mixed-race talent from China and Italy, and the nephew of Italian football legends Filippo Inzaghi and Simone Inzaghi. Welcome to the Premier League!!"
The TV cameras zoomed in on Louis, who, without any suspense, was named the Man of the Match. Smiling broadly, the seventeen-year-old still had a bit of baby fat on his cheeks, making his youthful appearance even more striking.
Kompany approached Louis to exchange jerseys, offering a congratulatory handshake. "A very good debut, young man. Congratulations."
"Thanks," Louis replied with a smile, peeling off his jersey to reveal a muscular physique—evidence of his rigorous training regimen. Female fans watching couldn't help but swoon at the sight of the boyish-faced yet strong-bodied player.
When Louis and his teammates moved towards the visiting fans' stands, many female Arsenal supporters screamed his name and threw personal items towards him. Vermaelen and Arteta quickly flanked him, pulling him away from the overwhelming crowd.
"That was close!" Vermaelen chuckled. "Louis, you have to remember, women can be scary."
Arteta nodded. "Yes, yes, women can be very distracting. You're only seventeen; some things aren't suitable for you yet."
"A woman will only slow down your progress," Vermaelen added with a grin.
Louis, feeling like he had just escaped from one tricky situation only to fall into another, was soon confronted by a swarm of reporters with microphones at the ready.
"Louis! Hey, Louis! Can we get your thoughts on the game?" one of them shouted.
Vermaelen and Arteta shared a look, took a deep breath, and shielded Louis from the media, guiding him to the players' tunnel.
"The media is dangerous too, Louis," Vermaelen warned.
"Yes, you should avoid them until you've had proper media training from the club," Arteta added. "They can twist your words."
Back in the locker room, the atmosphere was electric. Teammates congratulated Louis on his spectacular performance. The win not only broke their winless streak but also unearthed a promising forward capable of scoring goals.
Celebrations were brief due to their location—the Etihad Stadium. After quickly packing up, the team boarded the bus for the airport to return to London. The schedule was packed, with upcoming Champions League and League Cup fixtures demanding their focus.
Arsenal's Champions League group included Montpellier, Schalke 04, and Olympiacos—a group where complacency could cost them dearly. The first match against Montpellier was crucial.
In the digital age, news of Louis's performance spread like wildfire across social media platforms.
"Arsenal found a gem!"
"Van Persie's real replacement!"
"Louis becomes famous with two stunning stoppage-time goals!"
Arsenal fans were brimming with pride. Outside the Etihad Stadium, more Arsenal supporters gathered around AFTV hosts Robbie Lyle and DT.
"Hey, DT, Louis scored two goals! He's our top scorer now!" one fan yelled.
"Hey, DT, didn't you say Louis was useless?" another chimed in.
DT, visibly embarrassed, tried to downplay the excitement, attributing Louis's goals to "luck" and "timing," but his explanations fell flat.
The next day, headlines across England's major media outlets featured the dramatic match, with Louis's name and photos dominating the front pages. Newspapers praised the 17-year-old who had orchestrated the "Miracle at the Etihad."
"Seventeen-year-old Louis came on as a substitute in the 58th minute and scored his first goal in the 90th minute. One minute later, he completed a stunning volley—an homage to Van Persie!" read a report in [Sky Sports News], penned by Andy Gray, who had witnessed the magic firsthand.
In China, Louis's name also trended as fans celebrated his breakthrough performance. Meanwhile, in Italy, Louis's success highlighted AC Milan's controversial decision to sell him, especially given Balotelli's underwhelming debut against Napoli.
"Louis once shone in pre-season but never got a chance after that and was sold. This was a grave mistake! Louis is the jewel of Vismara, and Balotelli's lackluster performance against Napoli proves it!" criticized [Gazzetta dello Sport].
Angry AC Milan fans took to social media, flooding Balotelli's accounts with criticism.