"Beep!"
At 7:30 PM, the opening whistle blew for this Premier League Round 6 match, with Manchester City's center forward Džeko kicking off from the center circle.
"Pa pa pa!"
"Aaahhhh!!"
Braving the cheers of Arsenal's away supporters, Arsenal's luxurious new trident charged across the halfway line, pressing Manchester City's defenders.
Watching their strong physiques and dashing figures, the fans seemed to see three mountains of cash 'running,' worth nearly 250 million euros combined.
"Maël! Van Persie! Bale!!"
The trio's names echoed continuously in the Etihad Stadium, as Arsenal fans, who had not seen such a lavish lineup in a long time, were very enthusiastic, even overshadowing the home fans.
On the sidelines, Wenger watched the three, a few smiles appearing on his lips.
Having such a forward line was what he had dreamed of before, and it made him live in happiness every day now.
"Mr. Mancini is waiting for you over there." A voice came from the side, as Hans walked over and pointed to the center circle extension line to remind him.
"Oh."
Wenger patted his head and smiled apologetically. He had been so busy admiring the sight of the three wearing Arsenal jerseys that he had forgotten to shake hands at the center circle.
He hurried over there, but as he walked, he inevitably took on a somewhat striding gait.
Obviously, this season, when facing the coaches of wealthy teams, he had a different state of mind than last season.
As he approached, Mancini had a teasing smile on his face, saying with multiple meanings, "Feeling different?"
"Indeed, everything is different." Wenger laughed, reaching out to shake hands with Mancini.
In the mid-to-late stages of last season, the two were the biggest competitors for the Premier League title. Meeting again in the new season, they inevitably felt a sense of mutual appreciation and reminiscence of the past glorious years.
"I envy you."
Mancini patted Wenger on the shoulder, then turned away with a smile, his face changing to a melancholy expression as soon as Wenger's gaze shifted.
He really envied Wenger, envied his ability and energy, envied his ability to love a club and stay for more than ten years, becoming a legend.
But most importantly, he envied Wenger's luck.
Arsenal's reversal of everything last season, turning bad luck into good, was almost entirely related to the appearance of Maël.
Sometimes Mancini would wonder why he couldn't promote such a figure from the youth academy to cooperate with him in the competition for all the honors in European football.
He had tried, paying close attention to Manchester City's youth academy in recent years, and had also set his sights on a young man named Foden.
But the latter was too young, and by the time he grew up, he would probably have left the club.
After all, it was so difficult to stick to a club like Wenger.
"Sigh"
Looking at the lineup on the field, which had not been strengthened compared to last season, Mancini sighed helplessly, looking somewhat melancholy.
Manchester City had invested less than £40 million in the summer transfer window, only buying players like Javi García, Scott Sinclair, and Rodwell, who could not be considered top-tier.
Jokingly, their summer window investment was at 'Arsenal' level, while Arsenal's summer window investment was more like 'Manchester City' level.
The Middle Eastern consortium must have lost confidence in winning the championship, or rather, lost confidence in him.
Perhaps if the first few games of the season hadn't gone well, he would have already packed his bags and left, and a new coach would have come in to adjust the team with a large transfer fee.
Without thinking too much, Mancini began to seriously focus on the game.
Sometimes you can't be too self-deprecating, he needs to have confidence in his team. Compared to the opponents Arsenal faced in the first 5 rounds, Manchester City definitely has the ability to cause them damage.
"Arsenal is facing a major challenge since the start of the season. I don't think there are many teams that can make them feel threatened this season, and Manchester City is one of them."
In the broadcast room, Zhan Jun and Zhang Lu, the old partners, were chatting about the game again, "Besides that, there's Chelsea, Manchester United, including Tottenham Hotspur with the added Derby Battle motivation! The rest of the teams seem to have a significant gap compared to them."
Hearing Zhan Jun say this, Zhang Lu nodded and extended the topic, "But while winning strong dialogues, you also need to pay attention to other teams.
"Teams that you feel are not a big threat are also likely to take advantage of your carelessness and stab you in the back."
"Yes." Zhan Jun brought the topic back to the two teams themselves, "Before the game, Arsenal's expected goals were 2.9, and Manchester City's expected goals were 2.1. Zhang Zhi, do you think this reflects the gap between the two teams?"
"About right."
Zhang Lu chuckled, afraid of being wrong, he didn't dare to make a prediction, but analyzed, "It's normal for Arsenal's expected goals to be high. Maël is averaging 2 goals per game this season, and he will be 'complained about' if he only scores 1 goal.
"As for Manchester City, it may be considering their high goal rate in past games, and many of the team's forwards are in good form."
"Look at this opportunity!" Zhan Jun's tone suddenly became excited when he saw something.
On the field, as Cazorla intercepted David Silva's ball on the wing, the entire Arsenal team instantly entered a counterattack state.
Manchester City's defense consciously moved towards Maël, preparing to defend him closely.
"Bang!"
Cazorla also noticed this, and without any hesitation, he directly passed the ball to Bale near the right side with a large-scale transfer.
"Deng deng deng!"
Bale strode forward, picking up Speed with a very personal running style, and got the ball.
Since Manchester City players could not get close in a short time, he only encountered Clichy's defense.
"Bang!"
Bale decisively chose to dribble the ball to the bottom line, using Speed to beat Clichy raw.
Clichy had no means of resistance, and was thrown behind in the time it took to turn around. He and Bale seemed to be running at two different paces, just like an adult racing against a child.
A strong eat!
Passed! "Ohhh!!"
Arsenal fans shouted fanatically, watching Bale's performance on the wing, they had a sense of great satisfaction and extreme happiness.
Maël on the left, Bale on the right, these are both famous fast horses in today's Football world, plus Van Persie in the middle with super finishing ability, this frontcourt, from any angle, is as beautiful as a painting!
Countless people have sighed several times, but still can't help shaking their heads and sighing to the people around them.
"Bang!"
After Bale reached the baseline, he glanced at the center with his peripheral vision and swept the ball directly in front of the goal, looking for Van Persie who was rushing in.
Unfortunately, just as Van Persie was about to touch the ball, England international Lescott kicked the ball out of the baseline.
Corner kick!
"Pa pa pa!" Applause rang out throughout the stadium. Arsenal fans did not blame the team. On the contrary, their eyes burst out with more hope. They felt more and more that the team had a chance to try in the Champions League this season.
Let time move forward quickly, they want to see Arsenal qualify as the first in the group and fight in the knockout stage!
They want to get rid of the Champions League Round of 16 title that they have had for many years and aim for the first championship in team history!
"Boom!"
After the corner kick was taken, it failed to create a threat. The football was cleared at the front point, and the two sides fell into a tug-of-war again.
As everyone expected, Manchester City, as a strong team, did not fall into too much disadvantage on the field, and the ball control rate of both sides was similar.
They can also play mercury-like attacks, causing a lot of trouble for Arsenal, at most the offensive threat is slightly smaller than Arsenal.
In the 34th minute of the game, Manchester City won a corner kick. David Silva waved his hand to signal and then passed an arc ball.
In the central position, due to the cross-running of Manchester City players, Arsenal's penalty area fell into a certain chaos, and the football fell to the top of Manchester City center-back Lescott.
"Boom!!"
"Lescott!! A powerful header! This ball went in! Lloris couldn't stop such a close-range football! One to zero! Manchester City took the lead!"
"."
"Yeahhh!!" At the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City fans cheered for this somewhat surprising goal. Taking the lead against Arsenal now is definitely a good achievement.
Mancini on the sidelines also punched several times excitedly. He saw some hope of winning.
Near the penalty area, Manchester City players put their arms around each other's shoulders and roared towards the corner flag area, leaving behind Arsenal players who looked at each other.
Maël and several forwards didn't say much, just turned and walked towards the front line, waiting for the game to start again.
Looking at the backs of them, many defenders whose mentality was affected to a certain extent suddenly felt stable, as if it was no big deal to concede a goal.
Manchester City can score on them, can't they score on Manchester City?
How is that possible?
Keep going, just get it back, a goal is easy for Maël and others who have scored in consecutive games! "Beep!"
After the game restarted, Arsenal stepped up their offensive, but they always lacked a bit of luck at the end of each attack, and they didn't get it back until the end of the first half.
"Beep! Beep——!" After the midfield whistle sounded, the players from both sides entered the locker room, waiting for the coach to speak.
"Don't worry."
In the Arsenal locker room, Maël saw that Wenger hadn't come in yet, and said calmly while tidying up his socks: "We will always get it back, we can always do it."
His peace also made many people who had developed nervous emotions become more calm.
In fact, it is not always necessary to rely on shouting and encouragement. Sometimes, the small behaviors of the captain and the coach will also bring some positive things to the team.
Wenger walked in soon after. He didn't have any anxious emotions either. He talked to the players like he was chatting with someone.
"I've said countless times that the Premier League is a tough league, with many excellent opponents, and we must deeply recognize this."
He paced back and forth with his arms crossed, "The team did well in all aspects in the first half, and we must maintain this in the second half, and be more focused on seizing opportunities when they arise."
"Goals will come."
After saying this, he didn't say anything else. He didn't feel the need to make any adjustments, just leave it to the players and time.
"Beep!!"
Soon after, the players from both sides returned to the field, and the referee blew the whistle to restart the game.
"Bang!" Van Persie kicked off from the center circle, and Arsenal began their ground passing and control, trying to shift the Manchester City players' formation forward.
The trident quickly rushed to the vicinity of Manchester City's defense, sticking close to Manchester City's defenders, waiting for a possible threatening pass.
After the last round of the Premier League, their unbeaten streak across seasons reached 43 games, 6 games away from the Premier League record.
No one wants to fall so close to the legend. They all want to go further and have their names appear at the very top!
However, it is clear that compared to the past, the Arsenal players have become stronger in their hearts.
They were not overwhelmed by the pressure and did not develop nervous emotions. Instead, they were united and very confident in themselves, even when behind! This is a symbol of a team moving towards maturity. Only such a team has the potential to win multiple championships.
"Bang!"
In the 68th minute of the match, Cazorla dribbled a few times and, finding the opportunity not good, passed the ball to Kyle Walker, who was cutting in beside him.
Kyle Walker dribbled the ball straight in, coming to a position near Maël.
Unlike in the past, this time Maël did not give up the entire wing, nor did he go to the center to poach, but stood next to Kyle Walker.
"Hey, hey!!"
While observing Manchester City's defense, he pointed at his feet with both fingers, asking Kyle Walker for the ball.
Kyle Walker was a little unaccustomed to it. After coming to Arsenal, because he was on the same side as the powerful winger Maël, he suppressed his attacking desires and focused on defense.
Therefore, every time he has the opportunity to display his attacking talent, everyone on the team will trust him and give him room to perform.
He didn't quite expect that Maël didn't want to give him the ball this time.
"Bang!"
Perhaps it was because they were behind and a little anxious. Kyle Walker kicked the ball to Maël three meters away, and then stood in place, watching Maël's movements.
"Deng deng deng!"
Realizing something, he suddenly accelerated towards the baseline, wanting to draw away a defending player for Maël through his run.
When he started, Maël had already dribbled the ball towards the center, feinting a cross, but also looking like he was going to shoot.
"Preparing to find Bale at the far post! He's good at headers!"
In the broadcast room, Zhan Jun believed that Maël was going to pass the ball, because it was too far from the goal here, and the angle was a bit small.
Maël's Long Shot can overcome long distances, but it probably can't overcome small angles. Shooting in this place, the range of the goal that the goalkeeper needs to guard is only a little bit.
"Bang!!"
But to everyone's surprise, Maël flicked the ball inwards and decisively chose a Cannon Shot at the far corner.
Just as the thought 'how can he be so confident' flashed through everyone's minds, they saw the football pass through Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart's hands and fly into the net! "Swish!"
"WowWowOhhh!!"
The Arsenal fans in the stadium erupted, everyone raising their hands and waving their arms in excitement.
Here it comes again! Super World Wave! Almost one per game! One to one!
"Yes!!!" Wenger on the sidelines even jumped up, his tie flying into the sky, looking a bit undignified.
"Vamos!!"
As Maël sprinted towards the corner flag to celebrate, Kyle Walker, who had just started speeding towards the baseline, stopped dumbfounded in his tracks.
Did he just get an assist like that?
That was too easy, wasn't it? What a great pass! "Maël! God Lamp!" His expression immediately became excited, and he vibrated his arms as he sprinted towards Maël.
"Beautiful goal! Arsenal has equalized!" "Wow, no one would have thought that Maël could blast the ball into the net from that position!" "That's why he's worth 135 million euros, that's why he's the most valuable player in the world!" "He's just different from others! He often scores goals that defy common sense!"
"I don't know how lucky you are to have such a striker. In the past 6 Premier League rounds, he has played in 5 and scored 10 goals!" "This data not only makes him firmly in first place on the scorer list, but also allows him to surpass 9 Premier League teams!" "Yes, his number of goals should no longer be compared with a certain player, but with the sum of a certain team!"
"..."
Amidst the Arsenal fans' revelry, the Manchester City fans at the Etihad were filled with disappointment.
Mancini helplessly looked up at the sky on the sidelines, adjusted his emotions, and ran closer to the players, comforting his disheartened and desperate disciples.
"Keep going! Keep going!!" "You defended very well, you did a great job in the first hour! Believe in your potential!"
"Maintain your focus on defense, and don't press forward on a large scale unless necessary!!" "Did you hear that? Defense!"
The last sentence was actually the theme he wanted to convey this time.
Playing at home, after being equalized by Arsenal, the players will definitely be anxious to attack, and at this time, Arsenal scoring a second goal is a high probability event.
Instead of not getting any points, it is better to gamble on a draw.
Although this seems a bit utilitarian and cowardly, he has to do it in the face of such a comprehensive team.
Only in this way can he retain the hope of winning the championship, only in this way can he lie dormant and wait for Arsenal to have problems, and then rise up and catch up! "Beep!"
After the restart, the Manchester City players seemed to have listened to Mancini's idea and began to park the bus to defend.
"Boo!"
"Mancini, get out!"
"Concede if you don't want to play!"
This instantly aroused the dissatisfaction of the fans, and the abuse and boos of the Manchester City fans surrounded the stadium, and did not dissipate for a long time.
The Manchester City players transformed this pressure into motivation to spur them on, and focused more on defense.
They believe that as long as they can hold on to the end and get points, then everything will be fine, and the fans will understand them.
In this way, amidst the Arsenal players' unaccustomed and stunned emotions, the remaining 20 minutes passed quickly.
"Beep! Beep! Beep—!"
Finally, after 1 minute of added time, the referee blew three long whistles, and this round 6 Premier League match ended in a draw.
"Phew," many Manchester City players breathed a long sigh of relief and hurried off the field.
"Never seen anything like it."
"Yeah."
Arsenal players helplessly spread their hands, somewhat puzzled by Manchester City's final actions, and also complaining about not being able to win.
"Not a bad result."
Maël clapped his hands and comforted, "Although we didn't get all three points, and the winning streak is over, we've achieved a 44-game unbeaten run."
"Yeah," Van Persie and other veterans also said while high-fiving Maël, "A draw against Manchester City away from home is not unacceptable."
"No one can keep winning."
"Good luck next midweek!"
"Good luck!!"
The Arsenal players left the field and headed towards the locker room.
Wenger and Mancini shook hands and chatted with smiles on the sidelines, lingering for a long time before preparing to leave.
After the match, Maël received an invitation to come to a billboard and accept interviews from reporters.
He had a smile on his face, waiting for the reporters to ask questions.
"Not being able to maintain the winning streak, are there any dissatisfied emotions?" a reporter asked.
"Of course," Maël nodded in confirmation, "Coming to play Football is to win, no one likes a draw, but since it has happened, let's accept it."
"Bale performed well today, but didn't score a goal, what's the reason?" someone asked.
"He is an excellent player, with amazing performances in training."
Maël answered evasively, "But the specific reason, I don't know either. I don't like to say it's bad luck, you have the opportunity to ask him yourself."
"This game failed to win, fans must be very disappointed, they will look forward to the team being able to win streak, look forward to the team to defeat the old enemy, what explanation do you have for this?" a reporter asked a tricky question.
This is moral kidnapping. The smile on Maël's face faded a little, "What explanation? I don't think I need to explain, and the problem you said is not valid.
"16 points in 6 rounds, still ranked first in the standings, how can they be unhappy? This is just your imagination."
"I think"
"You think there is a problem, the fans are very strong, they will not be as fragile as you."
"No need to explain?"
The smile on Maël's face was completely gone. You could always run into this kind of reporter in three or five interviews, which was unpleasant.
"End of interview, thank you."
He nodded to the other reporters, and as he walked out of the interview room, he said to the reporter, "I don't need to explain! If a player scores 10 goals in 6 rounds, and a team wins 5 and draws 1 in 6 rounds, then there is no need to explain.
"If you didn't understand, it's because of you that I ended this press conference."
As soon as he finished speaking, the other reporters immediately looked at that reporter with ill-intentioned expressions.
Before long, Maël boarded the bus back to London, and he leaned against the window, deep in thought, the entire journey.
No matter what, that reporter's words had an impact on him.
He would subconsciously think, having failed to win, would his life in the coming week be affected in any way, such as in morale or mood.
He still needed to concentrate more on the game, to focus all his attention on every front!
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