Chapter 25: Hapless Arsenal
Manchester United look set to collapse and their players now look a little too much to afford to fall behind in this crucial game; Especially with the passage of time, the current Arsenal is also working quite the defensive end, and more importantly, Arsenal's attack makes Manchester United not dare to be distracted at all; With no prospect of scoring and a home defeat in one of the most important games, some of United's players couldn't stand it.
Xiao Qing is naturally not polite, Xiao Qing also knows that it is not far from the collapse of Manchester United, and now he may only need more effort to completely win this game. Xiao Qing is confident, and Arsenal's players are also confident, but the ideal is plump, and the reality is really skinny, and Arsenal suffered a fatal blow when it was closest to success, and even a huge blow that made the game form completely change.
In the 59th minute of the game, Manchester United, which was on the verge of collapse, quickly counterattacked; The greatest left-wing in the history of the Red Devils, Ryan Giggs, was at this time very much in the role of a veteran. He broke down the left and flicked a low cross past Arsenal full-back Sagna. Arsenal goalkeeper Almunia sprinted quickly towards the ball, but he didn't seem to notice the United striker Wayne Rooney, who was looking to get the ball in action.
A sharp whistle blew and the Old Trafford stadium exploded completely; "Penalty! Penalty kick! Penalty kick! Almunia was completely panicked, and he looked at the fallen Rooney goalkeeper at a loss.
The Arsenal goalkeeper was too careless, he underestimated Rooney's speed and explosiveness, of course, there is also a certain performance component in this; When he jumped high to pick up the ball. He did have physical contact with Rooney in the air. It's just a pity. His movements seem to be a bit big. This is Manchester United's turf, and Rooney's immediate praise was a bit exaggerated but on point.
So although the Arsenal players tried their best to explain, the referee still unceremoniously sentenced the capital punishment - penalty! And Arsenal's goalkeeper charged the player, although there was no red card, but a yellow card also made Almunia frustrated.
Chubby calmly converted the penalty and United equalised at the most crucial moment, taking the team out of the most dangerous position.
The Old Trafford stadium was thunderous with cheers, but the blow to Arsenal at this time was undoubtedly huge; They were so close to victory. But after this penalty it seems that everything is going to change, because once this lead is lost, the two teams are back on the same line, not to mention, more importantly, Manchester United's morale is completely out at this time, and now their morale is high, and they may now be more confident than Arsenal to win.
Indeed, Manchester United, who scored the equaliser, were in high spirits, and now they were thinking about more than just equalising; Manchester United now want to beat Arsenal in this game to win the big game, and they want to beat Arsenal, one of the main rivals for the league title, to get a crucial six-point game in this game.
In the 67th minute of the game, Park Ji-sung replaced Valencia. Manchester United were not satisfied at this time, they chose to intensify their attack at this time; Park Ji-sung's presence also gives United more options up front. At least Nani may have more opportunities at this time.
Park Ji-sung, who had just come on the pitch, returned a pass from the left, and Evra's low shot from 14 yards on the left side of the box was confiscated by the Arsenal goalkeeper; At this time, Rooney, who was completely active, kept rushing forward, although Rooney was offside twice; However, because of Rooney's activity, the pressure on Arsenal's back line has increased greatly, and at this time Arsenal looks like it is about to collapse, and the young Arsenal seems to be a little panicked for a while. Arsenal full-back Sagna was booked for his displeasure with the decision and believes Rooney's attacking actions have been fouled.
Arsenal are really panicked, and now they are a little stunned for a while; And at this time the bigger blow came, and Arsenal seemed to really collapse.
In the seventy-third minute of the game, Manchester United overtook the score; Park Ji-sung broke down the wing and drew a foul, but Giggs crossed from a free-kick from the right. It was originally a cross that didn't pose much threat, but when no one was pressing, Arsenal midfielder Diaby jumped high to clear the ball with a header when he judged the right spot; But he overestimated his judgment, and of course it was possible that he had taken off hastily and therefore did not master the strength well; So the header in front of the small penalty area was smashed on the back of his head by him, and he will head it into his own door.
After a short dead silence at Old Trafford, they erupted in crazy cheers, and they were naturally quite happy about the own goal of the Arsenal players, who were actually sent by the Arsenal players in such a crucial game, which was undoubtedly the biggest joy package for Manchester United fans.
Diaby fell to his knees at a loss, looking at the Diaby Arsenal players who couldn't hold their heads up, and they didn't know what to say; This is indeed an unusually demoralizing thing, but this cannot be blamed entirely on Diaby, it can only be said that Diaby is really unlucky, which can only say that Arsenal was unlucky in this game.
Suddenly being hit at a time when they were taking the lead and could beat their opponents at any time was too sudden for Arsenal; They didn't even react more, but in the blink of an eye they lost their lead because of a penalty. Now it is even more because of a team-mate who accidentally sent an own goal and became a laggard, which is really too big a blow for the young Arsenal.
Although Wenger's on-the-spot command was often criticized by the slaughter, he did not hesitate at this time; Reach. Eduardo and Aaron Ramsey come on for Denilson and Arshavin respectively. If only the best of the first half were to be judged, he was a well-deserved winner, coming up to play a high-quality free-kick cross from the left, and then the breakthrough and shot from the left repeatedly created a threat, in addition to the goal, Arshavin also had several chances to threaten the United goal; But unfortunately, Arshavin disappeared in the second half.
In the second half of the game, in addition to a bottom cross, almost assisted Xiao Qing to score, Arshavin has no valuable contribution, there must be Manchester United midfielder Fletcher's energetic interception effect, but the most obvious change is Arshavin himself, he can't play, any sprint and quality kick can't play, so Arsenal is equivalent to cutting off a wing.
The Russians are still playing at such a big discount, obviously not used to the current competition system on the European continent; He has become accustomed to playing in the Russian Premier League, and he has not been able to adapt well to the system of the Premier League starting in August, and he has not adjusted well. Arshavin's holiday is indispensable, the corresponding physical function adjustment exercise has not been done, the whole rhythm and requirements of the good Russian Super League he is used to are opposite, so when it comes to the official league, even if he has great talent, he can only play half the game.
Croatia international Da Eduardo was booed for his fake fall in the Champions League qualifiers, but it didn't matter at this time, because this is Manchester United's turf and Arsenal are not welcome; What's more important is that now Arsenal have no way back, they have to fight back at this time, they can't lose, they have to chase goals.
In the 79th minute of the game, Xiao Qingqiang's shot from the penalty area was blocked from the bottom line, Ramsey took a corner kick, and Vermaelen's header was blocked again; And when Ramsey took the penalty, the shrill whistle sounded again. Van Persie sat on the grass in frustration amid the frantic boos at Old Trafford and accepted the referee's yellow card, although he was pushed by Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic during the battle, but the referee thought that Van Persie was faking a fall to cheat the penalty.
And at this time the accident happened, it was supposed to be a penalty opportunity, but now it has become the reason for Arsenal to fake fall, the Gunners coach from joy to anger, emotions out of control, after cheering with his arms, Wenger suddenly found that the referee raised a yellow card, maybe can not accept this sudden drop, he waved his hands to express dissatisfaction, and kicked a water bottle on the ground, the fourth referee saw this, called the referee, and Wenger drove to the stands. However, the professor's behavior is somewhat understandable, a good game, and the first goal, but still can't escape the doom of failure, finally saw a life-saving ball, but it was a fake fall, if it was replaced by Ferguson's temper, the kick may not only be a water bottle on the sidelines,
At Old Trafford, there was a comical scene in the tense atmosphere of the battle between Manchester United and Arsenal; Gunners manager Arsene Wenger arrived in the Red Devils crowd, and the professor spread his hands in frustration, and the professor's helpless figure and a group of United fans waving their arms were really grotesque.
Manchester United fans were really crazy, they felt hopeless because of this game, but they didn't expect happiness to come too suddenly; They originally regarded Arsenal as an opponent, and they did not miss any opportunity to hit the opponent; And now, they have a chance.
fake fall, red card; Now Arsenal look to have lost Zuihou's temper completely, and now they are going to completely accept the ridicule of Manchester United fans at Old Trafford, because the current Manchester United team is the winner, because the current Manchester United team is more sure of winning this game, and they are confident to end the hypocrisy of the so-called most attacking team in the Premier League.
Xiao Qing didn't speak with a gloomy face, Xiao Qing was really depressed and angry at this time, but the game hadn't started yet, and he hadn't given up yet! (To be continued......)