Vinícius burst forward with that signature, elastic stride, light on his toes, heavy on intent, slipping past Ben White with a flick of speed that drew a surge of noise from the Real Madrid supporters packed behind the goal.
A wall of white flags rippled in rhythm with his run, the chants swelling as if the entire end of the stadium leaned forward with him.
"Cover!" Declan Rice's shout sliced through the air, his arm outstretched as he tracked the play, but his voice was drowned under the swell of Madrid's cheers.
And then, just as Vinícius shaped his body to drive into the box, a sudden streak of red and white flashed across the scene.
Bukayo Saka, sprinting from deep, slid in with perfect timing.
His tackle was surgical, no hesitation, no foul, just a crisp clip off Vinícius's shin as the ball spun out toward the sideline, tumbling neatly over the line.
The Madrid end groaned, their celebration cut short, while Arsenal's travelling supporters erupted into approving applause.
