Chapter 181 Passive Arsenal
Xiao Qing is full of expectations for the victory of the game, and the Arsenal players are also full of desire for the game; the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium is very warm. Although Liverpool is a very good team, Arsenal is the most proud of the king. Arsenal fans have reason to believe that this game will be Arsenal's victory. They do not think that Liverpool can cause any storm at Emirates Stadium.
It is not to underestimate Liverpool, but Arsenal fans are full of confidence in the team. They believe that Arsenal can win, just as the Gunners often did in the past two seasons. They will defeat any opponent at the Emirates Stadium. Although their opponents may be of good strength, Arsenal will still become the final winner. Arsenal fans have begun to blindly trust the team, because Arsenal's past two seasons have been too outstanding, because Arsenal fans have even forgotten the pain of losing.
Arsenal has never lost to Liverpool at home. Arsenal lost to the Reds at home last time, which needs to be traced back to February 2000; Arsenal is the strongest team in the league, and they have created the best single-season record in Premier League history. Arsenal fans have reason to believe that the team will continue to be strong and they will defeat Liverpool again at the Emirates Stadium.
The game just started, Liverpool defender Ag was knocked down by Arshavin in the back row. Adam took a free kick to the penalty area to look for Kuyt, but the ball flew directly out of the baseline. Then Arsenal counterattacked, Arshavin took a corner kick from the left, and Liverpool defender Kelly stepped forward in the penalty area and cleared the ball first.
The two teams entered a fast-paced game from the beginning of the game. They were full of desire for victory in this game. They performed firmly on both ends of offense and defense; there was no drag. In this way, they could better burst out in combat power in the game, so that they could not give their opponents the chance to seize the flaws. When the masters fought, this naturally requires more effort and concentration; because they knew the strength of their opponents. Once they exposed some flaws, it was very likely that they would have disastrous consequences.
In the sixth minute of the game, Van Persie who was pulling the side made a cross. Xiao Qing did not grab the first point under Kelly's care, while Al Shawen was not guarding the edge of the penalty area, but the shot did not take the main part. The ball slipped past the goal, and the sigh of Emirates Stadium also sounded.
In the eighth minute of the game, Cazorla made a simple move on the left and turned Henderson over, and it was also because of this somewhat large defensive move. Although Arsenal completed the end of the counterattack against Liverpool well, Cazorla was also given a yellow card by the referee. In the tenth minute of the game, Walcott dribbled the ball offside from the right. The cross was made to find Al Shavin at the back point. Unfortunately, the Russian Tsar was too fast and he failed to stop the ball well. His rushing was also hit by Reina and intercepted the ball.
The two teams did not need any preheating at all, and the game quickly became increasingly fierce. These two outstanding teams launched a tit-for-tat attack, and they both hoped to completely suppress their opponents in the game. They also hoped to win the opponents in one go. This game is very important to both teams, and they did not need any temptation at all. They are familiar old opponents, and they have sufficient preparations for this game; so they play their own tactics and rhythms, and when they can better seize the opportunity, the winners of this game may be able to emerge!
In the thirteenth minute of the game, Susuarez dribbled the ball into the penalty area, and he made a cross in front of the penalty area; Kuyt headed the ball back at the front of the penalty area. He quickly inserted Downing shot hard on the left side of the penalty area. The Emirates Stadium was booing, and Arsenal players also protested one after another. Kuyt had a foul move when he headed the ball; and the referee did whistle, Kuyt fouled against Koscheerny first, and the goal was invalid!
Although the referee blew the goal off, this goal also reminded Arsenal; although the Gunners are full of confidence and although Arsenal is even more confident when facing Liverpool, Liverpool's strength also needs to be paid attention to. They are really a strong team. Although they have not been able to score in the Champions League in the past two seasons, don't underestimate Liverpool's impact, especially when they are full of desire for victory.
Arsenal players were very unhappy because Kuyt's foul injured Koscheerney. In less than fifteen minutes of the game, Arsenal was injured. This was not a good thing. Koscheerney was injured in the back and he could only be carried off by a stretcher. However, Arsenal now has a good depth in the back line, at least in the central defender position, Mertesacker can also be replaced in time, and Arsenal does not need to worry too much about rotation.
In the 19th minute of the game, Al Shavin concedes the ball in the backcourt, Liverpool intercepts the ball and counterattacks directly; Charlie Adam passes the ball to the left, and Downing cuts the bottom line and shoots with his left foot, but Vermullen is quick to kick out. Then Liverpool almost scores, Downing makes a cross from the side, Suarez beats Mertesak near the penalty point and heads up the ball, Szesney flies to save the ball!
Liverpool played their momentum. They are now very threatening on the offensive end. Their aggressiveness puts a lot of pressure on Arsenal; because the Gunners lacked the interception of midfielder Alexander Song, this also gave Liverpool more opportunities to directly hit Arsenal's back line. In many cases, Alexander Song's performance on the court does not seem to be prominent, but when the team lacks a reliable midfielder protection, Arsenal's defensive pressure is really great.
In the 22nd minute of the game, Enrique crossed from the left, Kuyt made a cross from the right foot, and Henderson headed the ball from the hinterland of the penalty area and hit Szesni. Two minutes later, Jose Enrique passed the side and was tackled by Sarnia near the corner flag. Adam's free kick failed to create a threat.
Liverpool has been very active on the offensive end during this period. They have put great pressure on Arsenal. They have threatened Arsenal's goal again and again, and they have done really well. The current rhythm of the game is completely controlled by Liverpool. Now Liverpool has more ball rights. They also lack the protection of the midfield in the game. Arsenal completely exposed their penalty area to Liverpool's attack.
Xiao Qing really feels a lot of pressure. The team is under great pressure at the offensive end. Although Xiao Qing knows that Arsenal's offensive end is very powerful, Arsenal even brought their strongest offensive combination to the court in this game. The four Arsenal's midfielders can be said to be very talented on the offensive end. They are not only able to break through and pass, but also have a strong threat to their own offense.
Xiao Qing was also a little helpless. Of course he was confident in the team's attack, but now Arsenal has no more chance to release their offensive potential; the team was hit by Liverpool's offense again and again, and Arsenal can only shrink its defense again and again, which is really not a good thing. Even for a team that is excellent, it is difficult for them to adjust at will on both offense and defense, and it is difficult for them to switch all their energy at random on both offense and defense in the game.
It is obvious that what Arsenal needs now is to strengthen defense. Perhaps Arsenal can grit his teeth and choose strong attacks in the game. At this time, they can also choose to attack at all costs; but this is very risky. Arsenal's defense is really not strong, especially when Arsenal's defense has always been not strong. Once the defense is ignored, it is really a huge test for the team. Arsenal, who first bases on defense and stabilizes his position, may be able to better strengthen the threat on the offensive end.
Liverpool is unforgivable to get the upper hand. They finally take the initiative in the game. They also know Arsenal's ability to adjust, so Liverpool's task is very simple, that is, to continue to attack. When they have the initiative in the game, they need to continue to expand their advantages; Liverpool knows that Arsenal's defense is insufficient, and Liverpool also knows that they have good offensive capabilities. So the task they need is very simple, that is, to continue to maintain their aggressiveness in the next game. They now need to seize some of Arsenal's small shortcomings, and they need to open the gap in Arsenal's defense line and keep trying to open up to the greatest extent!
Xiao Qing knew that the team was in a relatively dangerous situation now, and he knew that it was not a simple matter for the team to reverse such a passive situation; but Xiao Qing didn't care about these things because he believed that the team would perform better, and Xiao Qing believed in the team's adjustment ability; as long as Arsenal was given some chance to breathe, as long as Arsenal could seize the opportunity in the next game, then they would definitely be able to reverse the situation in the game in one go. Arsenal never thought that the rhythm of the game would always be controlled by the opponent, and Arsenal has the ability to do the best!
The screams of Emirates Stadium kept ringing, and Arsenal fans are now starting to worry; although they have full confidence in the team's strength, they found that Liverpool, which has been completely suppressed by Arsenal in the past two seasons, now has the strength to fight back. Arsenal's absolute advantage over Liverpool seems to have been slowly narrowed, and Arsenal may not seem to have an absolute advantage than Liverpool now!
Chapter completed!