Chapter 40 Arsenal is a Faith
Arsenal's players have been preparing for the next game after a day of adjustment, with Arsenal at home to Blackburn Rovers on 4 October; This is a game that the Gunners cannot afford to lose, not only to secure the league leader, but also to fight for Arsene Wenger.
It was a celebration game for Arsene Wenger, who surpassed George Allison (in the 40s) to become the longest-serving manager in Arsenal's history; Arsene Wenger's first game at the Gunners in October 1996 was against Blackburn Rovers, who won 2-0 away thanks to two goals from Ian Wright, and now a full 13 years later, it is both a coincidence and a memorable comeback to play Blackburn.
Ferguson once mocked Arsenal as "top-heavy", saying that Wenger likes to buy attacking players too much, and not enough construction at the back. It is true that the Gunners are not as good as Manchester United, Chelsea and other teams in the midfield and backfield, and they have conceded eight goals in the league so far, which is also the reason why their overall competitiveness is relatively weak, and they were not optimistic at the beginning of the season, but in terms of offensive ability alone, even Manchester United, which is known as "attacking into the blood", is difficult to compare with the Gunners.
Arsenal's attacking chess pieces are unmatched by any team in the Premier League; Arsenal's frontcourt attackers are "overcrowded", especially the two wings, in addition to Arshavin and Walcott, Da Silva can play on the left wing, Bendtner can play on the right, and the injured Nasri will have a place after his return, as well as Eboue, Diaby, etc. are also candidates on the wing; And Xiao Qing and Van Persie, that are the top strikers that any team covets.
In the pursuit of style of play, Arsenal is also unique, mentioning the "gorgeous" teams in the Premier League. People don't think of rugged Chelsea, Liverpool, or Manchester United. It's the gunners. Even in European football, the Gunners' style of play is a celebration of the pleasing faction, and they and Barcelona are seen as two of the most beautiful teams to play. Before Arsene Wenger, Graham's Arsenal were the epitome of the quintessential hard-nosed style of play, while the Frenchman made the Gunners an incredible transformation into the delicate man who now looks for a combination at the feet.
On October 4, 2009, the Emirates Stadium ushered in an important match; While Arsene Wenger didn't make any exciting pre-match announcements, the Gunners' players are ready and they need a good game and they need a big game to cheer for Arsene Wenger's record.
And in the stands at the Emirates Stadium, there are also some special people on this special day, the former king of the Gunners Henry is back with his daughter "TEA". Cheer on Arsenal's young players and cheer for their Bole Wenger.
And Sinadoulayi, a die-hard fan who moved to the United States thirty-one years ago, is even more touching, he lost his job, his wife didn't care about having children, and the sale of his house didn't stop his dream, every time he played at home, there was always someone watching his favorite team play in a corner of the Emirates Stadium. Sinadurayi! With a journey of more than 6 million miles and more than 200 laps around the world, for them, Arsenal is not only a team, but also a belief in their hearts!
After Arsenal's defeat at home to Manchester United in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals last season, the suicide of a Kenyan Arsenal fan who hanged himself in his home wearing his favourite team's shirt shocked the entire football world. However, compared to this Kennedy fan who is quite a bit puzzled. And Sinadullaj's message is much more sunny, and not too much at all.
Xiao Qing and his teammates did not disband immediately when they walked out of the players' tunnel, and although the Blackburn players were a little stunned, they also reacted quickly; The Emirates Stadium erupted in wild cheers when the Gunners players stood on the sidelines together, watching Arsene Wenger walk into the pitch with his hands in his pockets and expressionless face. It was an honour for Arsene Wenger, and although there was no deliberate pre-match arrangement, everyone was cheering for the old Frenchman.
Xiao Qing is also applauding, he doesn't know who first mentioned this proposal, but every player in Arsenal does not have any hesitation, they respect Wenger from the bottom of their hearts, maybe some players may complain about Wenger because of playing time and other reasons, but it is no exaggeration to say that without Wenger, their career may not be so brilliant, they may not come to Arsenal to play. Arsene Wenger's achievements deserve the respect of all, especially at a time when Wenger continues to achieve success.
Xiao Qing is very serious about this game, not only because it is a match of the leaders of the competition, but also because it is Wenger's record; Of course, it is also Henry in the stands, Xiao Qing is a fan of Henry, and Henry is self-evident to the Gunners; Xiao Qing hopes that he can play a wonderful game in front of Henry, and Xiao Qing hopes that he can take the torch from Henry's hand and become a new banner in the history of the Gunners.
As for Sinadoulayi, the most loyal Gunners fan who has just been unearthed by the media, has moved the Gunners' players, although they are known as the most gossipy tabloids, but they are really capable; They had just found the "stupid" fan before this game, and Sinnadouraj also made the Gunners' players more combative, and it was such crazy fans that allowed the Gunners' players to get more opportunities to perform.
Although some may think that Sinadullaj is unreasonable, looking at the photo of Sinadullaj wearing an Arsenal shirt and holding a team scarf in the newspaper, the Gunners players are talking; They have to cheer for Sinnadullaj and they will send their best wishes in this game.
Xiao Qing and his teammates took the initiative to bear Sinadullaj's tickets, and they will take turns to send their blessings to the die-hard fan; But a ticket is far from enough, only continuous victories and exciting championship honors are the real rewards for the fans.
goalkeeper Mannoni; Sarnia on the back line from right to left. Gallas, Vermaelen, Chlich; In midfield, Alexander Song at the back, Rosicky and Arshavin on the wings; On the forward line are naturally Xiao Qing and Van Persie.
Blackburn, on the other hand, is goalkeeper Paul Robinson; Defenders Jacobson, Givet, Zim Bonda, Olsen; In midfield, Dunn, Emmeton, Andrews, Enzoz, Diouf; Forward line Di Santo.
The Gunners players were confident that this was a game they had to win, and when they saw Wenger, who was still expressionless in his hands in his pockets and sat down in the dugout amid the welcome of the players and the cheers of the whole stadium, Xiao Qing and his teammates looked at each other and smiled, and then quickly returned to the pitch to prepare for the game.
Arsenal have also won five and drawn one in the league against Blackburn Rovers in the previous two seasons and remain unbeaten. Arsenal are unbeaten in their last eight home games against Blackburn, winning seven and drawing one. Although Arsenal lost the core of the defense and the main scorer Adebayo in the summer transfer period, the introduction of Vermala has become the new core of the defense, maybe he is not as stable as the Toure period, but Vermala has really done a good job. As for Adebayo, who is not popular with Gunners fans, he is obviously not as good as Xiao Qing, although he is very good, but Xiao Qing performs better. The current Gunners are definitely an improvement over the previous two seasons, so Gunners fans are confident that they will be able to win this game.
But in such an important game, it seems that the script is a bit heart-wrenching, and the Gunners fans have experienced a rollercoaster of emotional ups and downs in this game, which is a very exciting game!
Blackburn took the lead in the fourth minute, Blackburn goalkeeper Robinson took a long free-kick from the back, Enzoz grabbed a header before Arsenal defender Vermaelen from 12 yards, and Mannoni watched the ball go into the net, and the Italian goalkeeper's 359 minutes without conceding a goal was immediately stopped; What's even more depressing is that Arsenal fell behind 0-1 at home, and it was the 20-year-old French midfielder who scored the first goal after joining Blackburn this season, and it was the goalkeeper who provided the assist for him!
Xiao Qing shook his head depressedly, although this conceded goal was due to the fact that the Arsenal back line was a little weak, but it was undeniable that there was some luck, after all, the free kick in the backfield was assisted by the goalkeeper, and such a goal is really difficult to encounter.
Arsenal's players may have been a little quiet in the atmosphere of the previous celebration for Arsene Wenger, but when the Gunners players conceded such a goal, they quickly began to adjust; There is no room for error in this game, now that they are behind by one goal, Arsenal need to work harder in the next games and they need to show more fighting power in the game.
In the 10th minute of the game, Arshavin broke through and crossed from the right, and the unguarded Cesc Fabregas hit the crossbar with a header from eight yards, and Blackburn defender Zim Bonda cleared it in time. In the thirteenth minute of the game, Cesc Fabregas took a long free kick, and Xiao Qing on the right side of the penalty area stopped the ball on his chest and slid past the goal with a volley.
Despite failing to find the back of the net with two dangerous shots in quick succession, Arsenal, who were quickly getting into the groove, began to explode and put on a brilliant show, with the Gunners now believing that it was a matter of time before they scored, and they were confident in themselves.
Watching his teammates defend in the midfield, Xiao Qing, who was busy and idle, wiped his shoes; He felt the heat on his feet, he felt the good performance he was going to have in this fight, he couldn't wait, he needed to start the more exciting game.
Xiao Qing is ready, and the Gunners' players have begun to suppress Blackburn, this game is a celebration for Arsenal, and all opponents will encounter the Gunners' crazy blows! (To be continued......)