Although Arsenal dominated the field, the game was still a huge challenge.

The challenge didn't come from the opposition, with the Yellow Submarine defenders in a hurry, Riquelme freezing in front of Qin Xiong, and Arsenal's solid defence that has honed and matured this season, Villarreal simply couldn't create a threat.

But Arsenal have missed scoring chances time and time again.

In the 37th minute of the game, Qin Xiong received Fabregas's through ball in the front court, took advantage of the difference in stopping the ball rhythm between Tacinadi and Sena to break through successfully, and then changed direction to take the reverse cut line when Senna retreated to make up the defense, so that the positive Tacinadi returned to the defense and made a save.

After two consecutive dribbles of change of direction, Qin Xiong saw the timing, did not rush hard into the ribs of Venta and Alvarez, and decisively sent a right-footed outside the instep of the outside of the curling cross.

The goal went around the back of Alvarez and Arsu, and the goalkeeper's attack was even more embarrassing, unless the goalkeeper was unusually decisive to do so, but it was a pity that Barbosa, who had been absent from the bench for a long time, stood in front of the goal line and waited for Arsenal's offensive to develop.

The ball curled around the two Villarreal centre-backs and flew perfectly into Thierry Henry's running line diagonally in front of Arsú.

The ball was nearly a metre above the ground, and Henry struck from behind Arsu and volleyed directly into the air with the arch of his foot, intending to refract the ball directly into the goal.

But after he touched the ball, all the Gunners fans in the stands let out a stunned exclamation.

Henry's arch didn't touch the ball, it was near the tip of the ball of his foot, and the ball flew straight into the stands. Rubbing with a strong rotation. The effect of the shot with Henry's expectation was 108,000 miles.

'Thierry Henry missed another great chance in front of goal. It's a pity that Qin Xiong has played a series of wonderful performances before! However, Arsenal have always dominated the field and believe they will create better chances. ”

Arsene Wenger looked a little puzzled and helpless on the sidelines.

He must be anxious in his heart, he must win the yellow submarine at home, otherwise it will be difficult to say everything when he goes to the away team.

Henry stood with his hands on his hips and his head bowed, and he didn't know what his state was today.

The physical state is absolutely fine, but the sense of smell in front of the door is very different from usual.

Is it excessive anticipation and excitement that leads to tension at critical moments?

Henry didn't know, he wouldn't admit it like that.

It must be admitted that this is the first time he has stepped on the stage of the Champions League semi-final for Arsenal in several years.

And the last time he stood on the stage of the Champions League semi-final. That was when he was still playing for Monaco.

It's been a long time.

Europe's super striker, who has terrified countless teams, is unfamiliar with the finale on the European pinnacle stage.

Qin Xiong stood in the middle of the field, observing Riquelme's running position while observing Henry from afar.

He doesn't blame Henry, but in today's game, it's really hard to be generous.

In the Champions League semi-finals, every minute is crucial, every opportunity is precious, and if you don't beat Villarreal at home, it's not just Arsenal who missed the best time to lay the foundation for breaking into the Champions League final. It was also a blow to Arsenal itself, and if Villarreal walked away. It is conceivable that the morale of the other party will inevitably be unprecedentedly high.

The first half was over and Villarreal managed to hold on for the first half, which gave them the same confidence in the second half.

Manuel Pellegrini breathed a sigh of relief for the time being.

It can't be said that Villarreal's defence was perfect, Arsenal didn't take advantage of the good chances they created and that's the best result.

Thierry Henry's half-time was an inspiration to his team-mates and the pressure on his shoulders was great, but equally his desire to reach the Champions League final was no less determined than any of his team-mates.

Arsene Wenger didn't make any tactical changes and the team was working well, but they didn't take advantage of their chances.

In the second half, the two sides changed sides and fought again, Qin Xiong walked side by side with Cesc Fabregas when he walked into the field, and he said to Fabregas: "Pay more attention to Riquelme's running in the second half, once he controls the ball forward, he must definitely stay calm, don't grab easily, make sure that he has teammates around him, and only intercept when the opponent is pushing forward." Otherwise, he would be able to penetrate any of our points and he has that ability to control the ball. ”

Cesc Fabregas nodded solemnly.

He knew that Qin Xiong told him like this, not because he had a problem in marking Riquelme, most of the first half, it was Qin Xiong who followed Riquelme to limit the Argentine midfielder, although Qin Xiong was beaten up sometimes, but more often his defense against Riquelme was successful, because Riquelme's shortcomings were as prominent as his strengths.

Cesc Fabregas knew that Qin Xiong said this to himself, and there was only one possibility: in the second half, Qin Xiong would have to invest more in the attack!

He's not a superman, and the more he is on offense, he naturally weakens the defense.

Then in the second half, Qin Xiong may not be able to form a marking of Riquelme for the first time.

At the beginning of the second half, Villarreal launched a wave of threatening attacks, and Senna hoisted the ball into the penalty area by midfielder, and the brave Solin pressed Fabregas to head the ball, and the football that would be given to Mali was cleared by Toure in time, and Arsenal could not let the opponent form the final shot.

In the 61st minute of the second half, Cesc Fabregas instigated a counterattack in the center and back, because most of the first half was launched from Pire's side, and at halftime, Pellegrini obviously focused on the defense of Pire's side, so in Fabregas's eyes, he saw that the right side of the attack was more successful than in the first half, so he passed the ball to Ljungberg.

Ljungberg stepped forward on the right side of the pitch, while Qin Xiong was neck and neck with him on the right side of the pitch.

When Thorin came to defend Ljungberg, Ljungberg suddenly passed the ball diagonally to Qin Xiong.

In front of Qin Xiong were Senna and Tacinadi, he took the initiative to run to catch the football, and Ljungberg rushed forward after the ball, and it seemed that the two would complete a two-by-one collision with the wall.

But just when Senna rushed towards Qin Xiong, he saw Qin Xiong take the initiative to brake suddenly when the football was rolling, did not control the ball, ran in the opposite direction along the direction of the football rolling, and staggered in front of Senna.

Senna almost collapsed, and Qin Xiong was completely like a beast that no one cared about!

Of course, without pressure from behind, Qin Xiong could concentrate on impacting the front.

When Tacinadi rushed up to intercept Qin Xiong, Qin Xiong deftly poked the ball forward from the left side of Tacinadi's body, and then staggered with Tacinadi head-on again, and it was a brush!

The ball is divided!

After Tacinadi braked and stopped to retract his body's center of gravity, Qin Xiong had already rushed past him with an arrow step.

Villarreal midfield defense, collapse! (To be continued......)