The Emirates Stadium is quiet.
There are joggers working up a sweat around the pitch, families playing with their kids, and others rollerblading around the statue of Thierry Henry.
You had no idea that tonight there was a game that would decide the fate of the club's season.
Take a short walk down Hornsey Road, through the 'Arsenal Corridor' and past the murals of Arsenal players and manager Mikel Arteta, to the Torrington Tavern.
Numerous Arsenal fans gathered for this most surreal event. On this night, they cheered on Tottenham Hotspur, hoping that their rivals could stop their title rivals Manchester City.
A Tottenham win or draw would give Arsenal the initiative in the title race. The latter host Everton in the final round, while Manchester City host West Ham United.
Anuj Jain, a 30-year-old Indian fan who has fallen in love with Arsenal because of Arsene Wenger, usually watches games at home around 4am, came to England for the first time this month because he wanted to join in the celebrations in London if his home side could win the league title. He toured the stadium with his wife, Palac Agrawal, 30.
'It feels weird, but I hope Tottenham can win,' said Jain, 'I've been supporting Arsenal for 20 years but this is my first time in London, so I really hope we can win the title so I can experience it.' ”
Another Arsenal fan, James Green, who sits at a table with Mike Whelan, a long-time owner who has run the pub for 18 years, said he doesn't mind cheering on his sworn enemy.
'No matter which team plays Manchester City at this stage, Arsenal will support them. "I'm concerned about whether Arsenal can win the league title and that's all that matters," Green said. Most right-thinking Tottenham fans want the team to win so they can have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. ”
Mike nodded in agreement, adding: "Everyone feels Tottenham are going to lose tonight, but their players are fighting for their careers and this could be their last chance to get into the Champions League. Aston Villa's last game was away to Crystal Palace. If that doesn't motivate them yet, I don't know what else can motivate them. ”
There was a roar of shouts from the tavern as the two teams played, and the bar was filled with Gunners-related memorabilia, books, scarves, and medals.
In the tavern, Arsenal fan Archie said: "It's weird, it's very unique. We were Tottenham for all 90 minutes. ”
The 18-year-old, wearing an Arsenal away shirt with Odegaard's name on the back, said: "I don't mind supporting Tottenham tonight at all because it's about a lot of things. Tottenham fans feel even stranger. ”
After the game began, the Arsenal fans sang Tottenham's cheering song "Oh, Tottenham are rushing up", and some shouted "Come on, Tottenham", but others shouted "Get out, Tottenham" and "Come on, you *****".
When Bentancur shot off Ederson to force a corner, there was a huge cheer in the tavern. City counter-attacked, Tottenham couldn't defend it, but Vicario saved Foden's shot with one hand, and the tavern sang "Red Army". This was followed by the singing "If you hate Tottenham, stand up", a response to the live Tottenham fans singing the Black Arsenal song (which can also be heard on live TV).
Before half-time, Tottenham defender Dragusin cleared the ball in front of the goal, and the tavern burst into cheers.
After City's disappointing performance in the first half, optimism and hope were reignited in the tavern. Arsenal season ticket holder Taylor Scott said: "Tottenham can win this game. ”
However, City scored against the wind in the second half and quickly stifled enthusiasm. De Bruyne set up Haaland's opener after the 51st minute, and there was a deathly silence in the tavern, with only a few sighs and a shout: "No, you bastards." ”
Despite this, Tottenham took the initiative and had a number of chances to equalise with 20 minutes remaining.
The best chance fell to Son Heung-min, with 4 minutes left in the game, Akanji made a mistake, and Sun Ge drove straight into the ball with a single knife. Arsenal fans were ready to tear off the roof, but when the Tottenham captain failed to beat Ortega, Arsenal fans had to hide their faces with their hands.
A few minutes later, Manchester City opened the scoring. Doku was fouled by Porro in the box and Haaland converted the penalty to seal the win. It's quieter in the tavern. An Arsenal fan shouted: "It's ***, Tottenham Hotspur. ”
There was a brief shout of "Have you seen Tottenham Hotspur win the league title?" but soon died down as the City players celebrated at the end of the match.
As we walked out of the Torrington Tavern, an Arsenal fan said: "The greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. ”