Descartes watched the game from the sidelines with an injury, and he saw how his teammates did their best on the field, saw Walcott dragging his thin body and Gerrard to fight for the ball, saw Almunia fly high to keep Torres' shot out, and then beat his chest and roared, and saw the usually silent Xiaofa be the first to take the lead in besieging the referee after Hleb was kicked down......

When the whistle blew at the end of the game, the score on the big scoreboard was still 3:3.

Descartes smiled with satisfaction, and then motioned for the staff to carry him away, and he was satisfied.

A tired voice came from behind him, and Descartes turned his head to see Gerald, sweating profusely but with a different look of disappointment and a smile.

"Well done." Gerrard walked over and patted Descartes on the shoulder, then took off his wet team and threw it to him: "Remember, you owe me an autumn coat." ”

Descartes laughed at the pain of his own torn back, and he winked mischievously at Gerald and said, "It's okay, I'll give it to you myself next season when we win again." ”

Gerrard laughed too, and the wrinkles on his forehead became even more visible, but he didn't show weakness: "Then I'm afraid it will be a long time before I receive your jersey." ”

The two looked at each other and smiled, smiling very happily.

I don't know what the two men said, but when Descartes was carried on a stretcher into the players' tunnel, the 56,000 people still gave him the warmest applause, no matter where they were. Such players deserve such applause from the fans.

The Arsenal players also left the pitch proudly with their chests held high, although they eliminated Liverpool this time, but it was rare that there were no Liverpool fans cursing when they left the pitch, for Anfield, there are not many such enemies, and each one deserves their respect.

The post-match media was also full of positive comments, and although it was only a 3-3 draw, what Arsenal showed in the game gave them hope, especially Descartes, who crawled on the turf in a frenzy and eventually sent the football to Liverpool's door. This goal has been praised repeatedly.

"It's a combination of fighting spirit and will. It's not beautiful, but it gives us a glimpse of the most precious thing in the world of football. The Daily Mail commented.

'It was a goal that showed the spirit of football and although it was a bit expensive, we should all be applauding him. It's rare for The Times to have such a high opinion of the world of football. But this goal really made them have to be amazed.

Even The Sun, which has been focusing on negative news for two decades, admitted: "If Arsenal had played like this. They have now pulled Manchester United away by 20 points. ”

It's a pity in reality. Arsenal are still six points behind Manchester United and the league title this season is out of their hands.

What made Wenger even more anxious was after Flamini and Descartes were both on the injury list. He has less than a third of the main squad left, Cesc Fabregas, Adebayor, Almunia and Toure, these are the only four who are still healthy, the others are either just recovering from injury or have minor injuries, and he will have to rack his brains to get the starting lineup for the next game together.

In their next game, they will face the Red Devils, the biggest enemies of the season, Manchester United.

In the first half of the season, the clash between the two teams was in a uproar because of the bet between Descartes and Ronaldo, and it set a world football ratings record, with more than a billion people watching the game, which makes people tremble just thinking about it.

However, it was after that game that Arsenal began to gradually go downhill, Manchester United began to soar, and Cristiano Ronaldo suddenly exploded after that, scoring 38 goals in all competitions so far, and has a lot of momentum to chase this season's European Golden Boot award.

In the face of such a ferocious enemy, Wenger really couldn't think of any other way to deal with it, the lack of soldiers and major generals in his hands was like a chef lacking materials, and no matter how good a chef was, he couldn't make a pot of fragrant rice out of noodles.

Wenger locked himself in his office all night, pondering how to deal with United's challenge, and when his aides saw him the next morning, he seemed to have a few more strands of gray hair and a few bloodshot eyes.

"How's the injury going?" Arsene Wenger meets his assistant Pat. Rice's first words were to ask about the two new injuries, and he didn't get a first-hand report as yesterday's game didn't start until after 11pm.

"Mathieu's condition is a little better, the phalanges are misaligned, and it is not a big problem to recuperate for only a week, but Descartes ......" Rice's eyes were filled with some regret: "He used too much effort to score that goal, and now his back muscles are torn, and it is estimated that his spine has also been affected a little, and the doctor recommends resting for at least 2 to 3 months." ”

"That means he doesn't have a chance this season?" Arsene Wenger sighed, the last thing he wanted was because he found that as the season drew to a close, Descartes' role in the team became more and more important, and his appearance in the second half had almost become a fixed pattern for Arsenal, and even more rarely, there were few fixed substitutions that had such a good effect.

Descartes has scored 17 goals and provided 19 assists in 32 games in all competitions so far, becoming the team's second-leading scorer and second-assister, and his performances have reminded Wenger of Bergkamp in his prime, and the two men are literally printed in the same mold.

Whoever it is, will be proud to have such a player, it is said that Mourinho is still obsessed with Descartes, he has confirmed that he will accept Mancini's Inter Milan next season, and Inter Milan has sent a fax to Arsenal some time ago, and you don't need to ask to know that this must have come from Mourinho's instructions.

Wenger couldn't figure out why a guy like Magic Bird, who loves muscle sticks, was so interested in Descartes, didn't he disagree with the introduction of Descartes by his boss Abu back then?

Inquiries from Inter Milan were rejected by Arsene Wenger without hesitation. But another fax of inquiry made him angry.

Barcelona asked if they could pack up and take Fabregas, Hleb and Descartes.

What are you when I am Arsenal, the base for star development?

The inquiry also packs three at a time, do you want to just pack it with me?

In the face of Barcelona's greed, the professor angrily tore the fax to shreds in front of all the staff, and then roared loudly in the office: "In the future, Barcelona will deal with all the inquiries about Francisco and Descartes in this way!" ”

Soon someone with a heart heard the mystery from his words, about Francesco and Descartes's inquiry to be treated like this? And what about the inquiry about Hleb?

Many people began to speculate that although Hleb performed well in the limited playing time, the Belarusian's playing time was really too "limited", 38 rounds of the Premier League. 8 Champions League matches. Coupled with dozens of League Cup, FA Cup and other games, his number of appearances this season is only 17!

The rest of the time, he's either recovering from an injury or struggling with it. Arsene Wenger was on the verge of despair of his weak constitution.

If Barcelona like such players. It's not a good idea to let it go in time while they're taking the initiative to buy now.

Turning over the Arsenal transfer books of recent years. You will be surprised to find out that Barcelona has become their biggest "customer":

In 2000, Petit was 15 million. Overmars' 25 million transfer to Barcelona; In 2007, Henry transferred to Barcelona for 24 million, in 2008, Hleb transferred to Barcelona for 15 million, and later Fabregas for 11 years for 40 million. Song 12 years 19 million, Barcelona seems to be very interested in "Arsenal production".

Of course, there was another team called "Manchester City" later, which packaged Adebayor, Nasri, and Toure from Arsenal in one go, spending a total of 75.2 million, which is really a rare high-quality customer.

However, now Arsenal has not yet embarked on the road of no return to sell the captain every year, Vieira's departure is because of Wenger's long-term plan, and Henry is to chase his dream in the few remaining careers.

Regarding Barcelona's inquiry, Wenger didn't even ask Xiaofa.

So of course he didn't know that there was actually a private agreement behind this inquiry.

In order to ease the pre-tournament tension, Wenger decided to visit Flamini and Descartes in the hospital, both to calm people and to listen to Descartes' advice.

What was Descartes' opinion?

"How's it going, are you feeling okay?" Arsene Wenger's opening remarks did not bring tears of encouragement, he just looked at Descartes with relief, especially at his gauze-clad waist, his eyes full of concern.

"Not good." Descartes' face was full of bitterness: "I'd love to fight that guy again, but this damn ......"

"Alright." Arsene Wenger stopped him from trying to sit up and said to him in a serious tone: "You are still young, there will be time in the future, don't rush it." ”

There was a brief silence in the room, and after a long time, Wenger calmly said to Descartes: "You have done a good job, you have exceeded my expectations, and I have something I would like to ask your opinion on." ”

"What's the matter?" Descartes had doubts in his heart, and Wenger's expression looked serious, as if it was not a trivial matter.

'I received a transfer request from Colo's agent and it looks like he doesn't want to stay with Gala for a day. Wenger's eyes were a little confused, why did two players who had nothing to do with each other before become a pair of enemies for life and death?

Descartes has been training with these two guys for a long time, so he knows their personalities well, and he also understands that the contradictions between these two people are not accumulated in a day or two, and the outside world thinks that the flamboyant Gala is the culprit of this dispute, but in fact, his teammates within Arsenal do not see it that way, and the muffled Toure is not so innocent in this matter.

The words in the dressing room that undermined unity were the first to be uttered by Toure.

Galla's personality is a bit of a big deal and he doesn't know when he offends people, while Toure is a complete stuffy guy who even Arsenal team-mates don't know when he started to be unhappy with Galla.

The contradiction between these two people cannot be reconciled with Wenger's character, let alone Wenger, even Ferguson is helpless against this kind of contradiction within the dressing room.

Toure himself offered to leave, and although Wenger was reluctant, he could only endure the pain of the strong man's broken wrist, but why did he tell himself about it?

Under Descartes' bewildered gaze, Wenger said slowly: "He has made contact with Manchester City, Manchester City has recently had a big money owner, it is estimated that he will make a high offer, I am ready to let him go, but after he leaves, he will vacate a position of vice-captain......"

What does it mean that Descartes' heart was beating wildly?!

It's not that he hasn't been a captain, but compared to the captain of the Pavia Junior Team and the captain of Arsenal, it is a complete matter, although it is only a vice-president, but it is enough to make Descartes's mouth dry.

Sure enough, Wenger's next words did not disappoint him.

"Are you interested in being the captain?" Arsene Wenger's eyes were full of encouragement, and now that he already has a 19-year-old Cesc Fabregas, he doesn't care about another 18-year-old Descartes, who in his opinion will be the cornerstones of Arsenal's rebuild, and they represent a great future for the team.

Descartes' eyes were filled with this kind of emotion, and he did not shirk or pretentious, but nodded without hesitation: "No problem, I have been waiting for this day for a long time!" ”

"Huh." Wenger laughed out loud with satisfaction, even he didn't know when he had such a thought, but from the moment Descartes slammed the door in the dressing room, his place in Wenger's mind was different.

Maybe the team needs a leader who can wake everyone up in the locker room at such a critical moment? Arsene Wenger touched his chin countless times and asked himself. Like Alex Ferguson, he has used an iron fist in the management of the dressing room, but United have Eric Cantona, Keane and Ryan Giggs, and Arsenal only Adams, Patrick Vieira and one man missing.

I wish you were the person! Wenger looked at Descartes with a happy face, and an inexplicable emotion secretly welled up in his heart, some sighing, and some unpredictable. (To be continued......)