At the heart of the pitch, Gakpo stood over the ball at the centre circle, boots tapping in a quick rhythm like a man waiting for a starting pistol.
The official had only just stepped onto the pitch after confirming Merino's substitution.
Now, though, all eyes were back on the pitch.
Liverpool's number 18 glanced at the referee, who gave a quick.
And with a soft touch of the ball backwards to Mac Allister, the final resumed.
"Back underway here at Wembley," Jim Beglin called out, his voice trying to inject normalcy back into the game.
"One-one between Arsenal and Liverpool — and 66 minutes played. That goal from Merino… brave beyond words. But there's still time here. There's still a trophy to be won. And you get the feeling this one's not done. Far from it. Both teams have had their moments. This second half's been a different beast from the first."
