[A day later]
The morning passed slowly, its silence broken only by the occasional hum of tyres on tarmac outside Colney's gates.
It wasn't the kind of day for rush or restlessness.
Arsenal had a match under the lights later that evening, but for now, it was about settling into the matchday mood for both the players and the staff.
Izan arrived just after ten thirty, his hoodie drawn up and headphones snug over his ears. He nodded faintly to the grounds staff as he made his way toward the training complex.
A few of his teammates were already milling about the locker room, chatting, lacing boots, and eating fruit off a shared tray.
Bukayo Saka looked up from his phone, grinning as Izan dropped into the seat beside him and unzipped his bag.
"Finally decided to show up, eh?" Saka teased, elbowing him lightly.
"What happened? Did your girlfriend cook breakfast too well this morning or what?"
Izan smirked. "Something like that."
