The road to godhood starting from Ligue 1

Chapter 393 Football is a color that never fades!
Gaio stood at the entrance to the players' tunnel.

Unconsciously, his fingertips traced the patterns on the hem of his jersey, while waves of sound surged into his ears like a tide.

This is the Emirates Stadium.

The red and white sound waves concealed a legendary essence he had heard countless times.

The stories of Arsenal – the double in 1971, the unbeaten record for the five veteran defenders under George Graham, and the invincible team that went undefeated throughout the 2003-04 season, with a record of 49 league games unbeaten that remains the benchmark in the Premier League.

From Bergkamp's agile turns to Henry's unstoppable sprints, from Vieira's midfield stalwarts to Adams' defensive leadership, this club has amassed 13 top-flight league titles and 10 FA Cup victories.

And the man standing in front of the Arsenal coaching bench – Arsène Wenger.

It is also the epitome of pure football in Gaio's heart.

Wenger has so many stories to tell; he seems to possess a kind of magic that makes you fall in love with a team because of him.

For countless fans, he was never just Arsenal's manager, but the guide who made them willingly fall in love with the team, the soul symbol hidden behind the red and white faith.

He possesses a strange allure that can draw people who have never paid attention to Arsenal to his presence.

Fans are not just watching the game, but also the romance that Wenger brought to football.

So many moments,
This made Arsenal more than just a team; it made them a synonym for "beautiful football" in the hearts of fans.

Too many people say, "I fell in love with Arsenal because of Wenger."

Some were drawn to his football philosophy and became obsessed with the passing and movement of the team in the red and white jerseys; some were moved by his personality and felt that supporting such a coach who stayed true to his original aspirations was itself a form of love; and some even grew up during his coaching years, watching him go from a spirited young coach to an old coach with graying temples, quietly transforming their love for football into a sentiment for the Arsenal of the Wenger era.

now,

When Gaio actually stood on the Emirates Stadium, he suddenly understood this attraction.

Wenger spent half his life becoming a part of Arsenal, and he also firmly tied the football passion of countless people to the red and white flag of this team.

Even though we are now on opposite sides, the respect we have for him remains undiminished.

although.

Gaio has also seen too many jokes about Arsenal.

They make up 80% of the football joke writers, making them the top figures in the world of football jokes!

such as,

"Seven days of interest," "climbing the tree," "Initially extremely narrow, barely wide enough for one person to pass through, after walking several dozen steps, it suddenly opened up—thus arriving in Naples."

Another example,
"The top three in the Premier League are the title contenders, fourth is Arsenal, and the rest are fifth and below," "The best lineup," "Rourke proves himself," "King of the off-season," "Captain's armband = transfer license," "Playing against Barcelona and Bayern, our Arsenal is already in ruins," "We Arsenal are invincible."
Too much is too much.

There are countless.

Although for various reasons, Gaião did not become a player under Wenger.

Even now, standing on this lawn as an opponent, Gaião feels only pure admiration for Wenger.

Taking a deep breath, the fresh scent of grass mingled with the noise of the stadium, and Gaio slowly clenched his fist.

Whether it's a legend of the past or a formidable foe before us.

He will respond to all expectations with his performance on this legendary pitch, and also present the most pure football showdown to that respectable veteran coach.

Call ~
Gaio took a deep breath, suppressing his surging thoughts.

Staring at the ball of light at the entrance of the passage.

Until the referee waved his arm and shouted, "Go!"

The players from both sides headed onto the field!

Gaio followed the Liverpool contingent out of the players' tunnel.

As soon as you pass through the ball of light, a scent mixed with the fragrance of grass and the sound waves hits you.

The stands were already completely submerged in red and white.

The stands, layer upon layer, resembled a circular wave, stretching from the edge of the lawn all the way to the illuminated heights. Almost every seat was filled with people, and red and white scarves waved wildly in the air, like countless small flags billowing in the wind.

Fans in the front row held up various banners, and some even had the letters "COYG" painted on their faces.

And there's that familiar melody—"Hot Stuff"

Almost all Arsenal fans tilted their heads back and hummed along at the top of their lungs: "You are my hot stuff, my Arsenal, my love."

The song was filled with undisguised pride, and the rhythm was even a bit faster than usual, as if the melody was meant to instill the home advantage directly into the hearts of the Liverpool players.

Gaio walked out onto the court.

As he passed by the entrance to the tunnel, several fans wearing retro Arsenal jerseys clung to the railing, clapping and shouting in his direction, "Gaio! It won't be that easy today!"

His tone carried a hint of provocation, like a home fan showing special attention to the opponent's key player.

The cheers continued to rise, and when "Hot Stuff" reached its climax, the red and white scarves in the stands were waved even more fiercely, resembling a leaping sea of ​​fire.

It's not just Gaio.

All the Liverpool players looked grim and took deep breaths.

Tonight's match is extremely important for both sides; they cannot afford to lose!
Gaio watched all of this.

This is the atmosphere of the Emirates Stadium, the red and white faith that Wenger has built up over nearly twenty years. Every shout and every scarf silently tells him: taking victory from here is not so easy.

He looked up and glanced in the direction of the Arsenal coaching bench.

Wenger was standing there, his hands behind his back, his gaze calmly fixed on the lawn.

Despite the surging cheers from the stands, he seemed oblivious, focusing intently on the field.

As the pre-match ceremonies of both sides proceeded,...

The broadcast camera focused on the center of the field, where the referee team was conducting the coin toss ceremony with the two team captains, amidst continuous cheers from the stands.

Commentators from multiple channels, including the BBC and Sky Sports, who were broadcasting the match, began to introduce this major Premier League game.

BBC commentator Alan Parry has already begun to speak at length: "In the historical head-to-head record between the two teams, Arsenal and Liverpool have met 178 times in the league so far, with Arsenal winning 62, drawing 47, and losing 69, putting them at a slight disadvantage."

However, judging from recent head-to-head records, Arsenal have a record of 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in the four encounters over the past two seasons, giving them a certain psychological advantage.

However, today's situation is different. Liverpool welcomes new manager Klopp in his Premier League debut, and both teams are currently high up in the league standings. The outcome of this match could directly impact the title race this season!

The camera switches to the starting lineups of both teams, with the formations and player names clearly displayed on the screen.

"Let's take a look at the starting lineups and injury situations of both sides."

For Arsenal, manager Wenger used the familiar 4-2-3-1 formation, but due to injuries, Wilshere was absent with an ankle injury. Rosicky will replace him in midfield, forming an attacking group with Dead Fish Eye and Cazorla, with Giroud acting as the target man in the forward line.

The midfield duo consists of Ramsey and Arteta, while the defense is lined up with Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, and Gibbs, with Szczesny still in goal.

This lineup continues Arsenal's possession-based style, with Giroud's playmaking and pivotal role remaining the core of their attack.

"For Liverpool, Klopp also fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation, but there was one key adjustment to the lineup."

With key right-back Glen Johnson sidelined due to illness, young player Flanagan has been called up to fill in at right-back.

The starting lineup is as follows: Suarez leads the attack, with Sturridge, Henderson, and Gaio forming the midfield triangle. Gerrard and Kanté are the two holding midfielders. The defense consists of Alissoko, Sakho, Kolo Toure, and Flanagan, with Mignolet in goal.

It's worth noting that this is Klopp's first Premier League match in charge of Liverpool, and his tactical adjustments are undoubtedly the biggest suspense of the game!
Next, we'll focus on the new tactics that Klopp might bring.

Fans familiar with Klopp know that he was known for his high-pressing and fast counter-attacks during his time at Borussia Dortmund, and now that he is in charge of Liverpool, he is likely to incorporate this tactical philosophy into the team.

Looking at the starting lineup, the midfield arrangement of Gerrard and Kanté as a double defensive midfielder ensures both defensive solidity and the ability to launch quick attacks through Gerrard's long passes. This is the key to Klopp's tactics of quickly transitioning from defense to attack.

The most attention-grabbing aspect is undoubtedly the use of Gaio.

Gaião has been very active in the attacking third this season, especially on the right wing, where his attacking prowess is exceptional!
Let's see how Klopp uses Gaio.

Based on the current formation, Gaio is still on the right wing.

In addition,

Klopp's high pressing is likely to begin in earnest from the very first minute of the match.

We can anticipate that Liverpool's attacking players will apply intense pressure on Arsenal's playmaking options from the back, especially targeting Arteta.

The pace of the game will be a key variable in determining the outcome.

The broadcast cameras frequently focused on the two head coaches on the sidelines.

at the same time.

It's not just England.

Fans in France, Spain, and countless other places are also following this match.

The Sunset Cafe in Bastia was packed with people.

In the open-air courtyard of the newly built stadium in Niaoquan Town, a screen was erected to project and broadcast the game.

In Madrid, Spain, Zinedine Zidane watched the match from his home.

Meanwhile, at Monaco's youth academy, Mbappe was seen watching the match with headphones on.

Too much too much.

Even at 2 a.m. in East Asia, many fans from China, Japan, and South Korea were still staying up to watch the game.

In East Asia, Arsenal undoubtedly has more fans.

However, Gaio's sudden rise in the last two seasons, especially his elegant and agile playing style, has made him a fan of many people.

Amidst much anticipation.

Referee Howard Webb was already checking his watch, preparing to blow the whistle.

In 2013, Webber was at the peak of his refereeing career, having officiated the 2010 World Cup final and the Champions League final.

He is known for his accurate refereeing and strong ability to control the game, and he is especially good at dealing with high-intensity, high-stakes, and emotionally charged games.

Of course.

His refereeing in the 2010 World Cup final still caused some controversy.

He issued a total of 14 yellow cards and 1 red card in this match, setting a new record for the most cards issued in a World Cup final.

Webber's officiating has sparked some controversy, particularly his handling of De Jong's egregious foul.

But he remains a referee whom the FA trusts greatly.

soon.

When the time comes.

"drop--!!"

Webber's whistle was sharp and long, signaling the start of the match!
The already somewhat restless stands were instantly engulfed by a burst of cheers. Red and white scarves on the main stand were raised in unison overhead, and countless arms waved under the lights, like a surging wave.

"Arsenal! Arsenal!"

Shouts came from all corners.

Meanwhile, in the away section, Liverpool fans were also enthusiastically singing "You'll Never Walk Alone," not wanting to be outdone.

Unfortunately, due to the large disparity in numbers, they were pushed back into a corner.

On the field,

Arsenal have possession of the kickoff.

Giroud stood in the center circle, steadied the ball, and waited for the whistle to fall before gently tapping it to Arteta behind him. He then turned and ran towards Liverpool's half.

But he had only taken two steps when Liverpool's players surged up like a tide.

The pressing started from the very first minute, the very first second!
Henderson, with his body bent low, charged quickly and fiercely toward Arteta.

Gaião then cut in from the side, his eyes fixed on the ball at Arteta's feet, and positioned himself between Arteta and Ramsey.

It's about delivering information in a way that makes the other person uncomfortable.

Pressing and tackling is a skill, not just running around like a madman.

Klopp got into the zone from the very first second, gesturing rapidly with his hands in front of him on the sidelines.

This indicates how the players have positioned themselves.

This team doesn't yet bear Klopp's deep imprint, and many players haven't even grasped his tactical philosophy.

But that's not important to Klopp; what's important is that everyone gets running!
On the field, Arteta remained calm.

Faced with Henderson's increasingly close pressing, he lightly flicked his foot, pulled the ball back to avoid the opponent's outstretched foot, then glanced behind him and passed the ball back, which rolled steadily toward Koscielny.

Koscielny met the ball, but instead of passing it forward, he stopped it and turned his body slightly to the side. He saw Sturridge rushing towards him.

Send it to Mertesacker immediately.

Use constant passing and possession to break down Liverpool's pressing.

When Mertesacker received the ball, Suarez was running towards him, but the tall center-back simply flicked the ball with his foot and passed it to Gibbs who was making a run forward.

Gibbs dribbled forward along the sideline, and Henderson had already turned back to defend, reaching out to hook the ball, but Gibbs accelerated and left him half a step behind.

Just as Gaio was about to catch up from behind, Gibbs accurately passed the ball to Deadfish Eyes in midfield.

The moment the dead fish eyes caught the ball.

Gaio had already rushed up behind him, and Dead Fish Eyes was very confident in his footwork, so he didn't pass the ball out immediately.

Instead, he took the ball a few steps forward, as Gaio and Gerrard rushed towards him from one behind.

He then passed the ball to Cazorla next to him.

Cazorla received the ball and immediately passed it to Ramsey, who then passed it back to Arteta.

In just a few dozen seconds, Arsenal's passes flowed like a series of smooth musical notes, weaving through the gaps in Liverpool's pressing.

Arsenal kept passing the ball around.

But Liverpool, overall, did more running!

But for Arsenal fans, this is practically a monkey being toyed with!
They thoroughly enjoyed watching it!
The cheers from the stands grew louder, and someone pounded on the railing, shouting, "Take them for a ride!"

Liverpool's pressing continued, with Gerrard running into midfield to try and intercept Cazorla's pass, but Arsenal's players seemed to anticipate it, always managing to get the ball to their teammates a step ahead.

On the field.

Arsenal's red jerseys and white shorts constantly intertwined with Liverpool's white jerseys and black shorts, yet they never disrupted Arsenal's passing and possession rhythm.

Wenger kept his eyes on Gaio.

He was watching to see if Klopp would actually push Gaio to the middle as he had predicted.

of course,

Now he's more concerned about his players and how well their first attack is performed.

To his disappointment, when Liverpool pressed forward, their first cross from the wing went straight into Mignolet's arms.

Giroud gave Rosicky a thumbs up.

Rosicky shook his head slightly and reached out to his teammates in apology.

In fact.

His pass was very accurate; this was truly a subpar pass.

Tomas Rosicky, from Prague, Czech Republic, is a recognized midfield maestro in football.

Its characteristics include an elegant and agile playing style, sharp and accurate passing, and long-range shooting ability.

He is hailed as the "Mozart of football".

He was a key figure in the Czech Republic's golden generation, leaving behind memorable moments in the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup.

His professional career began with Sparta Prague's youth team, after which he made a name for himself at Borussia Dortmund.

After joining Arsenal, he became the core of the team's midfield.

There's a saying: "If you like football, you'll almost always like Rosicky."

It's just a shame.

He was frequently injured and basically never had a season with full attendance.

This caused him to miss out on many golden opportunities.

but,

Every comeback he makes brings surprises, earning him the nickname "the older Ronaldinho gets, the more amazing he becomes" among fans.

On the field.

When Mignolet kicked the ball out long.

As a result, he used too much force and sent the ball directly to the feet of the opposing goalkeeper, Szczesny.

Szczesny passed the ball to Arteta.

When Arteta passed the ball to Dead Fish Eye, his footwork was slightly off, and the ball was slower than expected. Dead Fish Eye hadn't even fully adjusted his center of gravity yet.

Henderson had closed in from behind and intercepted the ball with a quick hook of his foot.

Liverpool launched a counter-attack instantly. Henderson didn't stop and immediately passed the ball to the left wing. Sissoko accelerated forward and rushed into Arsenal's half in the blink of an eye.

Ramsey quickly chased back, but Sissoko was half a body length faster than him and was about to break through. Ramsey could only stretch out his foot to hook the ball.

However, he failed to touch the ball and instead hooked Sissoko's ankle.

Sissoko lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Webber immediately blew his whistle, pointed to the free-kick spot, and gestured for Ramsey to come over. Although he didn't pull out a card, he said a few words with a serious expression.

Liverpool players quickly surrounded them.

The position was quite far away. Gerrard walked to the ball, bent down, patted the turf, put the ball down, and then retreated to catch his breath.

Arsenal quickly formed a wall of players inside the penalty area.

The Liverpool fans in the stands erupted in cheers, waving their red scarves even more wildly.

drop!
Weber's whistle rang out.

Gerrard took a run-up and unleashed a curling shot that flew into the penalty area with spin.

Before the Liverpool players could even get a chance to get a header, Giroud suddenly jumped up from the crowd, his body arching in mid-air, and his forehead precisely touched the ball, heading it out of the penalty area.

Cazorla received the ball outside the penalty area and quickly kicked it towards the wing.

But Liverpool's players didn't complain after the failed attack; instead, they quickly tracked back to defend!

Klopp was watching the players' performance from the sidelines.

Training alone cannot reveal a player's true ability; real matches are necessary!

So in this match, he was also looking at which players were available and which were not.

Henderson and Kanter's performance.

Make his eyes light up.

Both of them are Klopp's ideal type: hardworking, willing to run, hardworking and able to do any kind of work.

Both sides are playing at a very fast pace.

However, there haven't been any attacks that truly threaten the goal yet.

At six minutes...
The situation on the field has quietly changed!
Previously, Gaio, who mostly operated on the right flank, suddenly moved towards the middle lane.

He and Henderson quietly switched places.

Henderson moved to the right wing to receive the pass, while Gaio positioned himself in the space between Arsenal's two defensive midfielders, Arteta and Ramsey, like a wedge that suddenly went in.

Arsenal players were clearly taken aback by Gaio's move.

Although Wenger had told them before the match about the possible changes in Gaio's position, Gaio remained on the right wing for the first five minutes of the game.

This made them somewhat complacent.

Arteta's attention was still focused on Gerrard, while Ramsey was distracted by Henderson's movement, giving Gaio a fleeting moment of space.

Just then, Gerrard delivered a diagonal pass to the center, and Gaio turned to meet the ball with lightning speed.

Arteta quickly returned to defend, reaching out to stop him, but Gaio lightly nudged him with his shoulder, using the momentum to create a half-step opening.

Then,

Ramsey lunged in from the side, but Gaio lightly flicked his foot, and the ball seemed glued to his foot, gliding past Ramsey's leg. At the same time, he took two steps forward and instantly broke into the edge of Arsenal's penalty area!
The entire breakthrough was fluid and seamless, and the Liverpool fans in the stands erupted in cheers!

When Gibbs reached the edge of the penalty area, he had already caught up with Gaio.

At the same time, Mertesacker rushed out to block Gaio's route.

At this time,

Gaio caught a glimpse of Suarez near the six-yard box out of the corner of his eye.

Suarez is shaking off Koscielny's entanglement.

Without hesitation, Gaio delivered a low, flat pass towards Suarez. The ball was fast and close to the ground, and it looked like it was about to reach Suarez's feet.

But at that moment, Szczesny suddenly rushed out from in front of the goal line, dived to the ground, and firmly pressed the ball under his body with one hand!

This attack was swift and decisive.

He skillfully thwarted Liverpool's one-on-one opportunity, and the Emirates Stadium home fans immediately erupted in applause.

"pretty!!"

Suarez shook his head, turned to look at Gaio, and gave him a thumbs up.

Gaio, on the other hand, was thinking that he had passed the ball a little too late.

no way.

Having played as a winger for so long, I haven't been able to shake off those old habits.

He prefers to solve problems alone.

Therefore, the reason he didn't pass immediately after dribbling past the opponent was because he was considering whether he could continue to dribble into the penalty area.

If you hesitate like that, you'll lose all the space.

In top-level competitions, opportunities are fleeting, and no one will wait for you to make a choice.

but,

This change made Gaio feel different.

The intensity of Deschamps' training with him was different from when he was in the national team. Making such a change during the game made him feel it more deeply.

He discovered he could do even more in the mid lane!
You can dribble forward, pass the ball back and then move forward to receive it, or even pass the ball to the left or right.

When playing on the right wing, he usually only has two options: going to the bottom or cutting inside.

of course,

He is still slowly getting used to the change in this style of play. People have a lot of inertia, and it is very difficult to change something you are used to.

For example, if he's used to writing 4,000 words a day in his diary, it would be very difficult for him to suddenly write 10,000 words.

now,

In the BBC commentary booth, besides sighing at the ball, Alan Parry noticed more about Gaio's positional change!

"My God! Did you see that? Gaio has actually moved to the middle! Klopp actually changed his position in the sixth minute of the game, that's a huge change!"
His breakthrough just now was brilliant; he almost gave Suarez a fatal assist!

The commentator next to him, Arsenal legend Keown, also frowned and nodded, his tone carrying a hint of seriousness: "I have to admit, Gaio does have that ability."

His dribbling and breakthroughs in the middle are more threatening than on the wings, and can directly disrupt our double defensive midfielders.

If Klopp insists on keeping him in the center, he could become a major problem for Arsenal in this match.

Our midfield must adapt to this change as quickly as possible, otherwise there will be more danger ahead.

Courtside.

Klopp was originally standing with his body slightly bent over outside the sideline. When Gaio broke through, his body leaned forward, his eyes were fixed on the ball, and even his breathing slowed down.

But when Szczesny made the save, Klopp suddenly stood up and slapped his hands hard.

What a pity!

He frowned and shouted something to Gaio on the field. His voice was mostly drowned out by the cheers from the stands, but you could tell from his lip movements that he was encouraging him.

After expressing his regret, he applauded the players on the field.

At the same time, his eyes held a newfound certainty. That breakthrough and pass had confirmed his thinking: Gaião's threat in the middle was far greater than on the wings. Meanwhile, Wenger stood before the Arsenal bench, his suit sleeves fluttering gently in the evening breeze.

When Gaio broke through, his brow was furrowed the entire time.

When Szczesny averted the danger, Wenger didn't breathe a sigh of relief like the fans. Instead, he sighed softly, took two steps forward, and kept his eyes fixed on the center of the field, his expression serious.

He raised his hand and gestured to Arteta on the field to move the middle lane closer.

This scene completely confirmed his pre-match assessment.

As expected, Klopp did not fix Gaião on the wing, but instead pushed him to the attacking midfield position, using his ball-handling ability to disrupt Arsenal's midfield defense.

Wenger's gesture to Arteta to move the team into the middle of the pitch was quickly met with a response from the field.

This was the setup he repeatedly emphasized before the match: use a specific player to mark Gaio closely, and then use lateral movement in midfield to cut off his connection with his teammates.

In the next few minutes, Arsenal's defense clearly changed its rhythm.

Whenever Gaio receives the ball in the middle, Arteta immediately closes in, his arm lightly touching Gaio's body, neither fouling nor hindering his turning space.

Ramsey, on the other hand, gave up some forward movement and retreated to a slightly more rear position, keeping his eyes fixed on Henderson and Gerrard's runs.

Whenever Gaio tries to pass the ball to the flanks, Ramsey always manages to block the passing lane a step in advance.

On one occasion, Gai finally received a pass from Gerrard on the edge of the penalty area. Just as he was about to turn and break through, Ramsey closed in from the side, leaving Gai with no choice but to pass the ball back.

Arsenal's defense was like an impenetrable net, trapping Gaio firmly in the middle. Even when he tried to play a simple one-two with Suarez, Koscielny would anticipate his move and thwart it.

Liverpool's performance was not smooth, in addition to Arsenal's tactical constraints.

Another important reason is that Klopp has just taken over, and the new tactics have not yet been fully formed, so the team is playing somewhat awkwardly.

After several offensive and defensive transitions, gaps clearly appeared in the players' coordination.

Klopp, watching from the sidelines, saw it all clearly. His brow furrowed even more, and with his hands on his hips, he shouted onto the field, "Run!"

Liverpool players seem to be losing their composure.

After a misplaced pass, Sissoko couldn't help but slap his thigh.

Gaio received the ball less and less in the middle, and even when he did get the ball, he could only pass it hastily under heavy defense, completely lacking the space he had when he broke through earlier.

Wenger stood in front of the coaching bench, his previously serious expression softening slightly.

He raised his hand to look at his watch, then looked back at the field.

Arsenal not only held their ground defensively, but also gradually regained control of the passing and possession rhythm by taking advantage of Liverpool's inexperience.

Cazorla and Giroud's passing in midfield became increasingly fluid, and Giroud also began to drop back frequently in the attacking third to receive passes, occasionally causing some trouble for Liverpool's defense.

The Arsenal fans in the stands cheered again, while the Liverpool fans' shouts were a little weaker.

Commentators around the world could tell that Liverpool were playing very uncomfortably.

One commentator said, "Gaio is indeed very capable. We all saw that breakthrough through the middle just now. But he is, after all, a right winger. In his career, he has mostly created opportunities on the wing by relying on speed and breakthroughs. He can occasionally play as a left winger. He can adapt to the rhythm by relying on his familiar technical movements."

But to make him fully adapt to a new role, playing as an attacking midfielder who needs to organize, pass, and link up play, is to force Gaio to play with his weaknesses!
You can see that when he received the ball in the middle just now, he tried to dribble it several times out of habit, but his path was blocked by the Arsenal defenders. His passes were also off-target because he was not familiar with his teammates' runs. He must have been uncomfortable.

"Gaião is really not suited to this position. Klopp's forced placement of him in the center has actually limited his advantages. If this continues, Liverpool's attack will struggle to break through."

Some people said, "Klopp's Premier League debut, which lasted only ten minutes, was actually a failure."

We can see that Liverpool players are indeed willing to run.

Henderson, Gerrard, Gaião, Sturridge and other players pressed aggressively, and Gaião was also trying to adapt to his new position, but they were completely controlled by Arsenal's passing and possession.

The interception was not very efficient, and instead, it put their defense under constant pressure from Arsenal's attacks!

The players in the midfield and backfield run back and forth, which is very intense and exhausting.

Especially for veterans like Gerrard, who had to shoulder both defensive and offensive responsibilities today, it was clear from his movement that he was a half-beat slower when he was tracking back to defend Cazorla. How long can he maintain this intensity?

Klopp's attempt to completely transplant Dortmund's high-pressing and fast counter-attacking style to Liverpool seems unlikely to succeed at present.

This kind of tactical integration issue can't be resolved in just a few training sessions. Klopp needs to make some changes to the squad, either adjusting the tactics to fit the existing players or bringing in players who are more suited to this tactic. Otherwise, Liverpool will find it difficult to gain an advantage in matches against strong opponents.

quickly,

When the scoreboard showed 19 minutes left in the first half.

The atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium suddenly became tense.

In the stands,
Arsenal fans craned their necks to look towards the attacking third.

Arsenal's attack is on again!

This time, when possession was circulating at Dead Fish Eyes' feet, he didn't pass the ball back to the defensive midfielder as usual, but suddenly pushed the ball diagonally to the right wing.

Sagna had already stepped on the gas and charged forward at full speed towards the ball. Liverpool's Sissoko on the left wing quickly chased back, but Sagna left him half a body length behind.

Sagna dribbled the ball to the sideline and saw Sissoko about to close in from behind. Suddenly, he used the outside of his right foot to pull the ball in front of him, then used his left foot to push the ball forward, creating space and sprinting down the wing towards the penalty area.

Liverpool's defense was thrown into disarray.

Kolo Toure quickly moved to cover the right, while Sakho kept a close eye on Giroud in the middle, fearing that the French center forward might suddenly make a run into the box.

Just as Kolo Toure was about to close in, Sagna suddenly delivered a cross!
The football, spinning intensely, arced across the penalty area, avoiding Sakho's outstretched head, and flew straight towards the far post.

Arsenal fans in the stands instantly stood up, some clutching their scarves with trembling hands, shouting, "Go in!"

Shouts mingled with drumbeats, exploding across the stadium!

Cazorla, already outmaneuvered by Henderson at the far post, leaped into the air to meet the incoming ball.

His body arched in mid-air, his forehead precisely touching the football, and he powerfully headed the ball towards the near corner of the goal!
Mignolet reacted extremely quickly, immediately leaping to his right!

The fingertip barely touched the soccer ball, and that one touch changed the ball's trajectory!
With a muffled thud, the football slammed against the right post and bounced back into the penalty area!

The cheers that were about to come out of the stands were abruptly swallowed back down.

Arsenal fans couldn't help but let out a sigh of regret, some even covering their faces.

But the next second, Cazorla landed without adjusting his center of gravity and directly poked the rebounding football with his foot.

Mignolet hadn't even gotten up from the ground yet, and could only watch helplessly as the ball rolled past his hands, skimming the goal line and disappearing into the bottom right corner of the net!

"The ball went in!!!"

It's unclear who shouted first, but immediately the Emirates Stadium erupted with a deafening roar, as if struck by a thunderbolt!

The red and white scarves of the main stand were raised in unison overhead, like a burning ocean. Fans jumped and shouted, some hugged each other, some pounded on the railings of the stands, and even the staff in the aisles couldn't help but wave their arms.

"Arsenal! Arsenal!!"

The shouts grew louder and louder, swirling in the air above the stadium and almost lifting the roof off.

After scoring, Cazorla excitedly rushed to the corner flag, slid on his knees with his arms outstretched, and grass clippings flew behind him.

After getting up, he repeatedly pumped his fists in celebration towards the stands!

Cazorla was extremely excited!
Since joining Arsenal from Malaga last summer, Cazorla has quickly found his place at the Emirates Stadium, becoming the team's attacking core. His performance of 12 goals and 12 assists in his first season was quite impressive.

however,
Cazorla's second year with Arsenal didn't start well; hampered by an ankle injury, he could only play intermittently until mid-October when he was fully recovered.

The arrival of Dead Fish Eyes has also changed Arsenal's attacking lineup.

Cazorla can mostly only play as a winger, and he needs some time to adapt.

However, Wenger, who has always been protective of his players, remains steadfast in his belief in Cazorla's abilities, and Wilshere's absence has led to Cazorla's starting position.

Now, he repaid the professor with a goal in the game!

Giroud, Dead Fish Eyes, Sanjaya, and other teammates surrounded him and hugged him tightly, each with an excited smile on their face.

Sania patted Cazorla on the back and shouted something, his voice muffled by the cheers, but you could see the ecstasy in his eyes.

It was his cross that opened the door to victory for the team.

Wenger, standing on the sidelines, also showed a rare smile.

He was standing in front of the coaching bench with his arms crossed in front of his chest. When he saw Cazorla score on the rebound, he suddenly clenched his fist and then quickly walked to the sideline to clap and celebrate.

This goal,

It's not just about leading in the score, but also the best proof of his pre-match tactical arrangements.

Meanwhile, Klopp's face darkened further in front of the Liverpool coaching bench.

He stood with his hands on his hips, staring at the Arsenal players celebrating on the field, his brow furrowed so deeply it could trap a fly.

Liverpool players hung their heads, some kicking the turf, their faces full of resentment.

The roar from the stands continued, and the Arsenal fans' chants grew louder and louder.

On the scoreboard, the red number "1-0" was particularly eye-catching.

The match had only been going on for 19 minutes, and the excitement at the Emirates Stadium was just beginning to build.

In the commentary box.

Alan Parry's voice was full of admiration for the goal: "My God! Look at this goal! From Sagna's breakthrough to Cazorla's follow-up shot, Arsenal have completely demonstrated the essence of their possession-based tactics!"

That diagonal pass from Dead Fish Eyes was crucial; no wonder he's a player Arsenal acquired for a huge sum.

The ability is really strong!

Instead of opting for a safe back pass, he precisely anticipated Sagna's forward run, which directly tore apart Liverpool's left flank defense.

Now look at Cazorla!
The first header was tricky enough, and Mignolet's save was already a superb reaction. But Cazorla's awareness of the rebound after landing was too sharp. This sense of smell for scoring opportunities is the key to Arsenal's ability to create threats in possession-based football!

This goal made it 1-0, not only a lead in the score, but also a complete tactical victory.

Arsenal's 20 minutes of possession-based football completely disrupted Liverpool's pressing rhythm, and now the pressure is entirely on Klopp!

Keown, standing beside him, was an Arsenal legend, and his tone was full of recognition for his former club, especially Wenger: "Allen is right. Behind this goal is Wenger's good pre-match arrangements. It was a very brilliant goal!"

This also exposed a problem with Klopp's tactics: he had his players press relentlessly but failed to consider their physical exertion.

Under such high-intensity pressing, once Arsenal creates space with their passing and possession, the defense is prone to gaps.

In that last attack, Liverpool's midfield did nothing to intercept. Henderson was outmaneuvered by Cazorla, Kante was marking Yuyan but couldn't keep up, and Gaião was still adjusting to his central position and had no energy left to participate in defense. This is the price of insufficient integration of the new tactics.

This goal is a reassurance for Arsenal.

Wenger's team excels at controlling the tempo when they're leading, and they'll continue to wear down Liverpool's stamina with passing and possession, especially targeting veterans like Gerrard. Frequent pressing will accelerate his decline in fitness.

Liverpool,
Anfield Road.

The atmosphere in the Boot Room pub had already been tense due to the game footage on the television screen.

When Cazorla's follow-up shot rolled into the net, the tavern erupted in chaos.

At the bar, which was originally packed with people, someone suddenly slammed their beer glass on the table, splashing foam all over it.

A few fans standing in the back row, watching the game, tugged at their scarves in anger. Their heavy breathing mingled with the cheers of Arsenal coming from the TV, sounding particularly jarring.

"Damn it! What are we doing on defense?!" Ted shouted first, pointing at the replay of Sagna's cross on the screen. "Is this our defense?"

Someone nearby chimed in, their voice filled with regret: "Gaio clearly had a chance with that breakthrough, but then they turned around and scored on a counter-attack. This game is so frustrating!"

Many fans directed their anger at the tactics.

A young man wearing glasses slammed his fist on the chair next to him, his brows furrowed deeply: "I can't make sense of the tactics at all! The players are just running around like madmen, pressing them but not winning the ball much, and instead they're being run around like crazy by Arsenal. Gerrard is practically throwing up from all the running!"

Another fan stared at Gaio standing in the middle on the screen, his tone full of confusion: "And Gaio! Why not use a perfectly good right winger? Why put him in the middle as an attacking midfielder? He didn't even know where to pass the ball when he had it just now. Isn't that a waste of his dribbling ability? What is Klopp thinking!"

The tavern was filled with shouts of anger and sighs of regret.

At a few tables in the corner, fans silently drank their beer, their faces filled with disappointment.

Most of them were die-hard fans who couldn't get tickets for the away game. They were looking forward to watching Klopp's debut as a new manager, but they didn't expect to be on the back foot from the start.

Only old George behind the bar appeared unusually calm.

He waited until the fans calmed down a bit before slowly saying, "Alright, it's only been 20 minutes, what's the rush?"

These words immediately attracted the attention of those around them, and someone retorted indignantly: "They've already scored a goal, and you're not worried? Look at this chaotic tactic, it's like they're running around like headless flies!"

Old George put down his cup and pointed to the TV screen: "I know we didn't play well, but have you forgotten who Klopp is?"
He led a mid-table team to the Champions League final at Borussia Dortmund not through a burst of high-flying runs, but through a tactical system that required time to refine.

He's only been teaching for a few days now?
The players haven't adapted to his rhythm yet, and Gaio's positional change is an experiment; you can't expect perfection from the start, can you?

He paused, "When Shankly first came, were we already a powerhouse? But what happened? Liverpool relied on giving the coach time. Klopp has proven himself; he's not here to just coast along. The current issue is team cohesion, not ability. Let's wait and see. Once he's figured out the tactics and the players have adapted, Liverpool will be different."

The pub gradually quieted down, and the fans who had been shouting earlier lowered their heads, with some nodding slightly.

Perhaps old George is right.

Give Klopp some time, and this Liverpool team will eventually find its own rhythm.

And the Liverpool players certainly gave them that hope!
25 minutes.

When Gaio passed the ball to Sturridge, Sturridge was fouled by Sagna.

Liverpool won a free kick a little further away on the left side of the attacking third.

Gerrard took the kickoff again!
The ball flew with a low, flat arc, bypassing Arsenal's front wall and heading straight for the far post of the penalty area!

Kolo Toure, at the far post of the penalty area, had already shaken off Gibbs's entanglement and leaped up to meet the incoming ball.

His body stretched out in the air, his forehead slamming heavily onto the football, which flew like a cannonball toward the near corner of the goal!

Szczesny reacted extremely quickly, leaping to his left and blocking the ball with one hand!
A last-ditch save!

Arsenal fans feel that at this moment, even if someone stabbed them in the heart, they wouldn't die, because their hearts are already in their throats.

Before Arsenal fans could even breathe a sigh of relief, a white figure rushed up like lightning!

It's Gaio!
He made an early run from the middle, and after Szczesny made the save, he reacted almost instantly as the ball bounced back into the penalty area, flicking it into the empty net with his foot!
"It's in!!"

Cheers erupted from the Boot Room tavern, with people waving scarves excitedly, their earlier discontent seemingly swept away by the goal.

On the television screen, Gaio excitedly rushed towards the corner flag, spreading his arms to celebrate with his teammates. Gerrard also ran towards him, finally showing a long-lost smile on his face.

But at this moment.

The linesman on the sidelines suddenly raised his flag – offside!
Upon seeing the flag, Webber immediately blew his whistle and raised his right arm, indicating that the goal was disallowed.

The cheers in the pub stopped abruptly, and the fans who had been celebrating just moments before froze. Some looked at the TV replay in confusion: "What happened? Where was it offside?"

"Damn referee! A corrupt referee!"

"Such a good goal, why didn't it count?! Absolutely biased refereeing!"

“Fuck!”

but,

When the television replay was played in slow motion, it could be seen that at the moment Gerrard passed the ball, Toure was more than half a body length ahead of Arsenal's last defender, Koscielny, making it quite obvious that he was offside.

Although Toure's header was saved, he was in an offside position and participated in the attack, so Gaio's follow-up shot was naturally disallowed.

The Liverpool fans who had been hurling insults earlier simply scratched their heads.

"That was still a good shot!"

That's how you kick it!

"If there's one, there will be a second!"

"Damn offside!" A fan slammed his fist on the table, splashing foam from his beer mug. "So close! How could Toure be offside!"

Those around him frowned and sighed, "What a pity! Gaio's follow-up shot was so beautiful, but it was ruined by Toure's offside!"

On the television screen, the Liverpool players' faces were filled with frustration.

Gaio stood in the penalty area, his hands outstretched as he looked at the linesman, his eyes filled with confusion and disappointment. He seemed to be saying something, but he couldn't change the decision.

Gerrard walked up to the referee and explained urgently, but the referee just shook his head and insisted on the original decision.

Touré hung his head, hands on his hips, clearly annoyed by his positioning earlier.

Liverpool could have equalized by just half a body length.

Inside the Boot Room pub, some fans' spirits plummeted once again.

Some people drank their beer while cursing, while others stared at the replay on the TV screen, muttering, "It's so unfair."

In the corner, even the previously silent fans sighed: "They finally had a decent attack, but it was still offside. Their luck is just too bad."

Only old George remained calm. Watching the Liverpool players' reactions on TV, he slowly said, "It's not the players' fault; their teamwork isn't good enough. When Toure made his run, he wasn't in sync with Gerrard, which is why he was offside. But this also shows that Liverpool's attack is improving. Gaio has a good awareness of rebounding in the middle. With a little more practice, he'll definitely score."

On the television screen, the game restarted.

but,

The television broadcast also showed that a Liverpool player received a yellow card.

It's head coach Klopp.

The replay showed that Klopp celebrated wildly with two punches after scoring the goal.

Before the third lap even started, Webber had already blown his whistle to indicate offside.

Klopp froze in mid-air, his ecstasy instantly turning into astonishment as if doused with cold water.

He was stunned for two seconds before he realized the verdict, and then burst into intense anger!

He pointed in Weber's direction, shouting something under his breath. His lip movements revealed a blaming tone, even including a few swear words.

The fourth official immediately went to dissuade Klopp.

But Klopp's criticism only intensified!

Then Webber walked to the sidelines, took out a yellow card from his pocket, and showed it to Klopp—this yellow card was a warning to Klopp for his earlier loss of control.

Klopp was still cursing and swearing even after receiving a yellow card.

The assistant coach quickly pushed Klopp back to the bench, otherwise he might have received a card and been sent off.

Simultaneously,

During his commentary, Alan Parry was quite positive about Liverpool's goal.

"Putting offside aside, Gaio's goal-scoring instinct is truly commendable!"

Look at his movement. When Gerrard crossed the ball, he didn't immediately crowd into the center of the penalty area like the other players. Instead, he anticipated that Szczesny might make a save, and while everyone else's attention was on the ball, he quietly moved towards the goal.

The instant Szczesny blocked Toure's header, Gaio arrived at the landing point almost simultaneously with the ball, his timing for extending his leg to poke the ball was perfect – this is absolutely the reaction of a top striker in front of goal!

Unfortunately, Toure's offside disallowed this brilliant rebound, a real shame for Gaio, who could have used that goal to prove he could play in the center.

The camera cuts to Klopp's slow reaction after celebrating with a fist pump, followed by his taunting of the referee and receiving a yellow card; Parry's tone is slightly sarcastic.

"But what's even more dramatic is Klopp's reaction, my God, look at the German coach's celebration!"
The first punch was thrown with enough force, the second punch even had some momentum, but before the third punch could be raised, the linesman's flag was lit up.

Look at his frozen expression, from ecstasy to astonishment to rage, just like a child who has been doused with cold water!
When Webber pulled out the yellow card, Klopp was still muttering something, clearly dissatisfied with the decision, probably questioning the ruling.

But honestly, Klopp has such a short temper; there's no need for him to get so agitated. He needs to control his emotions.

Keown, standing beside him, chimed in with a hint of sarcasm, "Allen, do you think this is a common problem among German coaches?"

Hitzfeld back then, and Klopp now, both lose control of their emotions in crucial moments.

Look at how he was yelling at Webber just now, it was like he was going to argue with the referee, but he ended up getting a yellow card instead.

He needs to tone it down a bit. If he gets a second yellow card for losing his temper, he'll be sent to the stands, which will cause problems for Liverpool's tactical management. They can't just have an assistant coach temporarily fill in, can they?

Parry responded with a smile, "But I can understand Klopp's eagerness. He just took over Liverpool, and his first match was against league leaders Arsenal. He really wants to win and prove himself."

But as a coach, controlling emotions is a must, especially in front of a strict referee like Webber, where any overreaction could be called.

Fortunately, Gaio's performance offered some consolation; at least the attempt down the middle wasn't entirely ineffective. With proper positioning and teamwork, Gaio's goal-scoring instincts could still be put to use.

Emirates Stadium.

Boos filled the air; Arsenal fans were very active.

As Webber blew the whistle to resume the game, the pace of the game noticeably quickened.

Liverpool players seemed to have been spurred on by the offside and yellow card, and their pressing intensity suddenly increased to a whole new level.

Henderson, on the other hand, was like a tireless engine, sprinting back and forth on the right flank, and several times he tackled Sagna's crosses close to the sideline.

Even Kolo Toure occasionally pushed into midfield to participate in pressing, and Liverpool's defense as a whole advanced nearly ten meters.

However, such a strong offensive failed to translate into an effective threat.

Gaio received the ball in the middle and wanted to turn around and launch a counterattack immediately, but Ramsey came up from the side. During the physical confrontation between the two, Gaio's ball was pulled back by Cazor.

Immediately afterwards, Sissoko broke through on the left flank for Liverpool and crossed the ball. Suarez shook off Mertesacker in the penalty area and attempted to head the ball towards goal, but Szczesny caught it securely.

It's clear that Liverpool's pressing relies more on the players' fighting spirit than on overall teamwork.

Liverpool's occasional threats mostly rely on the individual abilities of their star players.

Henderson's tackle and Gerrard's forward press failed to create a synergy.

Gaio often finds himself fighting alone when he has the ball in the middle.

Arsenal maintained their composed passing and control rhythm, using teamwork to thwart Liverpool's fierce attacks.

In the 35th minute, Dead Fish Eye was double-teamed by Gerrard and Henderson in midfield, but he still managed to pass the ball to Cazorla with his heel in a tight space.

Cazorla received the ball and immediately made a long pass to the right wing. Sagna made a run and without stopping, passed it back to Ramsey in the middle. Ramsey met the ball with a long-range shot, and the ball flew just wide of the outside of the post, giving Mignolet a cold sweat.

This attack took only 15 seconds from start to finish; that's Arsenal's attacking speed.

Arsenal's passing was like a pre-rehearsed script, with every pass precisely finding a teammate, giving Liverpool no time to track back.

In the 37th minute, Arsenal's counter-attack once again tore apart Liverpool's defense.
Liverpool lost possession in the attacking third.

Dead Fish Eyes received the ball in midfield, turned and shook off Henderson's entanglement, then suddenly accelerated toward the edge of Liverpool's penalty area.

At this point, only Kanté was left to track back in Liverpool's midfield. Seeing that Dead Fish Eyes was about to shake him off and face the back line, Kanté decisively reached out and grabbed Dead Fish Eyes' jersey. The latter lost his balance and was unable to continue his charge.

Webber immediately blew his whistle and pulled a yellow card from his pocket, showing it to Kanté.

Kanté lowered his head and did not argue.

This was a typical tactical foul; in an attempt to stop Arsenal's quick counter-attack, he had to pay the price of a card.

Liverpool's defensive pressure is palpable.

Kante's card draw added even more pressure!
In the 39th minute, Arsenal launched another attack. Giroud dropped back to receive the ball in the attacking third, held off Sakho's defense with his back to goal, and suddenly turned to pass the ball to Gibbs on the left wing. Gibbs crossed the ball, and Cazorla rushed in at the far post, but unfortunately his header went just over the crossbar.

Arsenal's attacks came wave after wave, and their overall advantage became increasingly apparent.

Forty minutes have passed.

Liverpool's pace has noticeably slowed down.

Some players are truly exhausted and can't run anymore; the strain is too great.

Forced to slow down.

This gave Arsenal another chance to attack!

Liverpool retreated into their penalty area and began a low-block defense.

Arsenal's cross-field passes constantly stretched Liverpool's defense.

In the 42nd minute, Dead Fish Eyes received a pass from Gibbs on the left wing and glanced up at Liverpool's defense.

He discovered that Ramsey was completely unmarked at the edge of the penalty area!
Ramsey escaped the space!

Henderson was still on his way back to defend, while Kante's attention was drawn to Cazorla, leaving a vacuum in Liverpool's defense.

Without hesitation, Dead Fish Eyes flicked the ball with his right foot, sending it flying in a gentle arc over the Liverpool defender's head, precisely towards Ramsey!

Ramsey met the incoming ball without adjusting, and with his right foot outstretched like an arrow, he volleyed the ball into the air the instant it fell!
Bang!
The football, like a cannonball, spun as it hurtled towards the top right corner of the goal!
Despite Mignolet's valiant diving save, he could only watch helplessly as the ball nestled into the net!

boom! !

"Aron!!"

"Aron!!!"

Arsenal fans were chanting Ramsey's name wildly, that was such a great goal!
So handsome!
The volley from the edge of the box nearly lifted the roof off the Emirates Stadium into a roar of cheers!
Ramsey was equally excited after scoring, turning around and sliding off the pitch to face the stands.

Arsenal fans cheered wildly for him.

Shouting!

They were venting their emotions, fueled by their passionate energy!
Goal! 2-0!

In the commentary booth, Parry's voice suddenly rose, "Arsenal are leading Liverpool 2-0 at halftime at home! Klopp's Premier League debut has suffered a first-half Waterloo!"

(End of this chapter)