119 When the Sun Meets the Moon (Part 2)
After a 15-minute half-time break, both sides rejoined the game.
But just as people were looking forward to continuing to stalemate in the second half, Manchester City took the lead in breaking the deadlock on the court.
Koscheerney's defense gave Manchester City a free kick on the right side of the penalty area, which had just started for one minute.
De Bruyne took a free kick and was intercepted by Mustafi in the penalty area. However, Zachar's clearance at the next two o'clock was high and failed to reach the safe range.
Kompany pushed the ball back to the penalty area at one point, and Arsenal's back line attempted to make an offside, but Mustafi dragged it to the end, which gave Jesus, who was alert to run away, the opportunity.
The Brazilian genius stabbed the ball before Cech and happened to drill through Cech's armpit.
Manchester City had a fantastic start in the second half!
After the goal, Manchester City players hugged each other to celebrate, which was in sharp contrast to the lost Gunners' defense.
They conceded a goal at the beginning of the second half, which was like pouring a basin of cold water for them who had been on the offensive in the first half.
"It's really surprising that Arsenal conceded the goal at the beginning of the second half. Obviously, Arsenal hasn't reacted from the joy of the midfield yet," said Martin Taylor.
"It's true that Martin. Zhaka's rescue is too low. He can do better. They are going to work hard!"
"Come on, guys! There is still time!" Wenger reminded everyone on the sidelines.
He didn't expect that he would concede the ball at the beginning, but as professional players and coaches, they would not give up easily.
The Arsenal fans on the scene continued to sing their battle songs, with the sound of gongs and drums shockingly, without any impact on the goal being lost.
"Fortunately the game has just begun, and they still have a chance, right Alan."
Alan Smith nodded when he heard this.
After the midfield kick-off, the game continued. Arsenal quickly adjusted his mentality and found the initiative in the middle of the midfield again. After Manchester City pressed for many times but failed, he consciously contracted under Guardiola's instructions to retain physical energy and reduce unnecessary consumption.
In the 59th minute of the game, Ozil, who was holding the ball on the right, forced a cross with multiple players intercepted it, but Fei Tian kicked the ball on the outside instep, and the football quickly turned towards the goal. Morace focused and threw the ball out of the goal as if it was passing and shooting. Afterwards, Lacazette grabbed the first point but was held in his arms by Morace again.
In the 65th minute, Sun Xiang was violated on the left side of the penalty area. The referee gave Sane a yellow card and awarded Arsenal a set piece. Ozil took the penalty and the ball accurately found Mustafi at the back point, but unfortunately, the difference between Arsenal's central defender was a slight difference.
In the past ten minutes, Arsenal regained its form in the first half, but the problem also did not change, and there was always a lack of the final decision.
So in the 66th minute, the professor changed two consecutively, Giroud replaced Ezu and Velbeck replaced Casolla.
Sun Xiang's position was retreating a little, and he played in the middle of the midfield with Willsheer. Arsenal changed from 3-4-2-1 to 3-5-2.
After the substitution, Wenger couldn't help but sigh that it would be good to have a player like Sun Xiang on the team. He can always play anywhere according to the coach's arrangement. There are not many players in the frontcourt, Arsenal.
Sun Xiang did not take much time to adapt from a fake center to an offensive midfielder, and had the same tactical changes before in Wolfsburg.
Seeing Arsenal's offensive posture, Guardiola's Manchester City cannot sit still. In modern football that advocates offense, offense is the best defense. In order to effectively limit Arsenal's midfield and backcourt players to get the ball, Guardiola replaced Jesus, who performed well, with Aguero, and let the Argentinian "sweep" in the frontcourt.
In the 75th minute, Arsenal, who had five midfielders, still created a threat in the frontcourt.
Sun Xiang took the ball and attracted Fernandinho's attention. Then he took two or three steps and then divided the ball into the middle. After Zach was waiting for an opportunity to get the ball, he suddenly shot a cold arrow from 30 meters away. The ball was blocked by Morace.
"Excellent shot! Excellent save! Zachar's shot reminds me of Carlos. Brazil's heavy gunner has had many powerful long shots at this position! Arsenal is getting closer and closer to the goal!"
"Before Zachar got the ball, Sun's possession was also taken seriously by Manchester City. Without his pull, there would be no chance for Zachar. If Manchester City wants to win the game, I think a player can't let Sun go at all, and his threat is everywhere."
Sun Xiang is indeed very threatening. Whenever he gets the ball, Manchester City's defense will be very careful, even though he is only 18 years old.
Guardiola also understood this truth. He didn't want Sun Xiang's threat to aggravate any more, so he planned to send troops to replace him with a defensive midfielder.
However, five minutes later, Manchester City was hit.
Sun Xiang cut off the ball under Sane's feet, which was also the first time Sun Xiang took the initiative to fight in this game. Both sides had movements on their hands, but they did not stop the game.
Sane, who lost the ball, was a little angry, so he tripped Sun Xiang behind him.
Of course, the referee could see that Sane's kick was obviously intentional.
Yellow card!
Sane had already carried a yellow card, so the two yellows turned into one red. Manchester City had one less player in the 80th minute.
Originally, Guardiola was like a substitution, but this disrupted the original deployment.
After thinking about it, Guardiola replaced Stones. He wanted to protect the last ten minutes.
"Oh! Guardiola replaced Stones, this is about to defend!" Martin Taylor said.
"Martin, maybe I'll be going to explain next time in a suit." Alan Smith smiled.
Arsenal's offense only blossoms but not bear fruit. If Manchester City adds another defensive player now, it will probably be difficult to penetrate.
Arsenal also made the final adjustment, Nigerian teenager Ivobi replaced Zacha. The professor wanted to give it a try.
In the 82nd minute, Arsenal got a set piece from the middle of the midfield.
Ozil and Zhaka were not on the court, so the work of taking the penalty for long-distance set-pieces was left to Sun Xiang to handle.
"Alan, I have a hunch that this ball is about to go in." Martin Taylor said, looking at the No. 4 player standing in front of the ball on the court.
This premonition surged up from the moment Sun Xiang took the ball.
"Okay Martin, if the ball is in, I will not only wear a top, but also wear a set of Arsenal's match uniforms to work!" The two commentators also exclaimed.
"Player No. 4, listen to my whistle and start!"
After the referee retreated to a reasonable range, he blew the whistle in his mouth.
Sun Xiang did not have too many run-ups, just two steps away, and he didn't seem to plan to pull in.
He took two steps in a complete manner, and then he did not swing his right foot with a big move, and used the front end of his foot to pick up the ball.
Unlike the usual ball picking, the ball accelerates after being pushed by the toes, and it has a curvature on the way.
This height is exactly what Manchester City defender cannot reach.
Morace did not dare to attack rashly.
The ball was found in the back point, and the German central defender had an excellent scoring opportunity in the second half but was not sure about it.
And this time, he finally did not disappoint the Gunners fans.
A powerful header hit the far corner of the goal.
Chapter completed!