Manchester City continued their relentless attacks down the left flank.
Hazard and David Silva controlled possession, putting immense pressure on Arsenal's defense and forcing them to shift toward that side. But just as the defenders became fully committed, David Silva suddenly attempted to switch play to the right.
However, just as the ball passed through the center, Alex Song burst forward and stuck out a foot, blocking the pass.
Rosický immediately intercepted the ball, turned swiftly, and launched a counterattack.
Arsenal's formation instantly surged forward.
Rosický advanced quickly, but Manchester City's Rakitic tracked back diligently, sticking close to the Czech midfielder. Just as Rosický crossed the halfway line and approached City's defensive third, Rakitic decisively slid in with a tackle.
The Croatian midfielder successfully won the ball, tripping Rosický in the process, but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on.
After regaining possession, Rakitic wasted no time, he drove the ball forward, pushing into Arsenal's half.
Seeing Rakitic charge ahead, Alex Song stepped up aggressively to challenge him. But just before Song could close him down, Rakitic played a perfectly weighted pass toward the edge of the penalty area on the right.
Robben had already anticipated the play and sprinted forward, latching onto Rakitic's pass. He turned sharply, face-to-face with Clichy.
One-on-one!
…
Robben dribbled forward, closing in on Clichy step by step.
He took the short, rapid touches he was most familiar with, so fluid that he didn't even need to glance at the ball. His focus remained entirely on Clichy, reading every movement of his opponent.
Since arriving at Manchester City, Borrell had been giving him specialized training, especially in adapting to playing on the right wing.
Robben had always had a distinctive rhythm, a unique style of dribbling and attacking. But after years of playing on the left, transitioning to the right required adjustments.
Now, under his relentless pressure, Clichy instinctively took a step back. Then another.
In that moment, Robben felt it.
It was the same sensation he had briefly experienced years ago when playing on the right for Real Madrid. He had tried explaining it to Gao Shen and Borrell, but he couldn't quite articulate it.
Gao Shen, however, had always believed that this "feeling" was the key to unlocking Robben's full potential as a right-winger.
Since joining Manchester City, Robben had been searching for it—exploring, adjusting, waiting for that instinct to return.
Now, as he approached Clichy, the familiar sensation fully emerged.
Suddenly, he quickened his dribble, acting as if he was driving toward the byline. Clichy, fearing the burst of pace, reacted instinctively, only for Robben to cut inside in an instant.
With a sudden change of direction, Robben accelerated, dragging the ball across with his left foot.
Clichy had no chance. Robben left him completely behind.
With space opening up, Robben took another touch to stabilize himself. Then, without hesitation, he unleashed a curling strike with his left foot.
Robben had started from outside the right corner of the penalty area, shifting inside before striking a perfectly arced shot toward the far top-left corner.
For Arsenal's goalkeeper Almunia, positioned near the right post, this was an absolute nightmare.
The Spaniard reacted instantly, diving with full stretch.
But the shot was too fast, the curve too precise, the ball was heading straight for the top corner!
Almunia could only watch helplessly as the ball flew past his fingertips and slammed into the back of the net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!"
"81st minute—81st minute! Robben! ROBBEN AGAIN!"
At the very moment Robben cut inside past Clichy, he had already sensed it, this was going in.
As soon as the ball left his foot, he knew.
Without even waiting for confirmation, he took off in celebration, sprinting towards the sideline. The referee's whistle blew, confirming the goal.
Robben slid to his knees, punching the air as he roared in celebration toward the Manchester City fans.
The entire Etihad Stadium—50,000 fans—erupted into deafening cheers.
"At the crucial moment, Robben cut inside from the right and curled a stunning left-footed shot into the top corner, extending Manchester City's lead!"
"3-1!!"
"Robben comes off the bench and scores twice! Clichy has been completely outclassed, he just couldn't contain Robben tonight!"
"This feels like a brand-new Robben!"
"He was always a dangerous winger, but after coming on today, he played with a different kind of sharpness. On the right, he was more elusive—less predictable, yet even deadlier. That last goal was the perfect example!"
"Clichy was left stranded, he had no time to react. Robben's movement, his feint, his inside cut, and that shot, it was executed flawlessly. It was pure instinct, pure technique!"
"A brace! Robben's performance tonight has left an unforgettable impression!"
"This is the Robben we've all been waiting to see!"
…
On the sidelines, Gao Shen leaped into the air, celebrating as he clapped and cheered.
As soon as Robben's shot hit the net, Gao Shen turned with a huge grin and immediately embraced Borrell, who came running towards him.
Fernando Lucas and the rest of the coaching staff quickly joined in.
Borrell, Manchester City's technical coach, had been instrumental in refining Robben's play on the right wing. For months, he had worked closely with the Dutchman, helping him transition into the role.
Robben was one of Gao Shen's most prized players and adapting him to the right wing had been a top priority.
Lucas's analysis team had also played a critical role. They had even developed a specialized monitoring system, analyzing Robben's movements frame by frame to help perfect his positioning and technique.
And now, all that hard work had paid off.
"You did it, Rodolfo!" Gao Shen laughed, clapping Borrell on the back.
From now on, Borrell could proudly say that he had helped craft one of the best right-wingers in world football.
"This was all you, boss—along with Robben's talent and work ethic," Borrell replied humbly.
Gao Shen put his arm around Borrell's shoulders, watching the celebration on the pitch with a smile.
So often, fans and media only see what happens on match day, the brilliance of a player, the moments of genius on the field.
But behind the scenes, the work of the coaching staff, the training, the adjustments, the refining of tactics, those were just as crucial.
Just like Javi Martinez.
Right now, his performances as a defensive midfielder were still a work in progress. He hadn't fully mastered Gao Shen's tactical system yet. But that didn't matter. Over time, through experience and repetition, he would eventually understand.
And then there was Henderson.
The young English midfielder was hardworking, disciplined, but his ideal role within the team was still unclear. Could he become the perfect deep-lying playmaker? Or was he simply not suited for that position?
These were challenges yet to be solved.
…
With Manchester City scoring two quick goals, the lead widened to 3-1.
Arsenal, visibly shaken, began to lose confidence.
Ever since losing Patrick Vieira and other key veterans, Wenger's squad had always struggled with a certain mental fragility and tonight, it was beginning to show.
Arsène Wenger made another bold move, substituting Alex Song for Arshavin.
This was a clear statement, Arsenal were going all-in on the attack.
Wenger was determined to take this opportunity to battle Manchester City to the very end.
But Gao Shen remained composed, signaling his players to maintain control and stick to the game plan.
It was Arsenal, not City, who needed to be desperate. With a two-goal cushion, there was no reason to panic.
Manchester City's players quickly executed Gao Shen's instructions, continuing to dictate the tempo. In midfield, David Silva, Hazard, Rakitic, and Javi Martinez worked seamlessly to retain possession, keeping Arsenal at bay.
Arsenal's attacking intent was evident after their substitutions, especially down the left, where Arshavin operated. However, the tactical shift came at a cost—it left their midfield exposed, particularly in the space just outside the penalty area.
…
87th minute, Robben was at it again.
Positioned on the right flank, he received a pass from David Silva, turned his body, and immediately surged toward the penalty area.
Giroud, stationed near the edge of the box, pulled away from his marker to offer a passing option.
Robben, without hesitation, threaded a pass to Giroud and continued his sprint forward.
The French striker used his body to shield the ball from Vermaelen, then extended his left foot and flicked the ball back into Robben's path.
It was a clever touch. The ball looped over the heads of three Arsenal defenders, falling into open space inside the penalty area.
Robben accelerated, chasing down the bouncing ball while Clichy desperately tried to close him down.
Just as the Dutchman reached it, he swung his left foot for a volley.
But the strike wasn't clean. The ball came off the outside of his left foot, skimming across the face of the goal.
And then, there he was.
Hazard.
Completely unmarked on the left side of the six-yard box.
Arsenal's defenders had lost track of him entirely.
The Belgian forward calmly met Robben's pass and slotted the ball into the nearly empty net.
"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!"
"MANCHESTER CITY SCORES AGAIN!!!"
"4-1!"
"Unbelievable! Robben, after scoring twice as a substitute, now provides an assist, setting up Hazard for Manchester City's fourth goal of the night!"
"What a performance from the Dutchman! Absolutely sensational!"
"Robben has torn through Arsenal's defense time and time again. He is in electrifying form!"
"Clichy, once again, had no answer. The French left-back has been utterly dismantled by Robben tonight."
"Wenger must be regretting his substitutions now. By removing Denilson and Alex Song, Arsenal lost their defensive shield in front of the penalty area, leaving them completely exposed!"
"But perhaps the biggest story of the night is not just Robben—it's Manchester City and Gao Shen."
"With every passing match, we can see this restructured Manchester City squad improving, growing stronger, and playing with a refreshing energy."
"New stars are emerging, and the team's chemistry is clicking into place."
"At this rate, if they maintain this form and momentum, who knows what incredible feats they could achieve this season?"
(To be continued.)