Chapter 18: Powerful Lore
Arsenal had already climbed to the top of the table with one foot, but Zuihou's goal conceded in the moment cost them; Is Rosicky to blame for missing the penalty, or is Klich's clearance inappropriate? Perhaps it's not just Arsenal's lack of focus that is even more to blame. Although Arsenal won the title last season, although they have the strongest attack in Europe, but the poor defensive ability has caused Arsenal to lose too many points that should not be conceded, which also makes them difficult to fight with Manchester United and Chelsea throughout the season.
Arsenal lingered on goalkeeper issues this summer and ultimately failed to secure a reliable goalkeeper, with Almunia staying. But Almunia is not the only inconsistent link at the back, left-back Klich has also been a time bomb for Arsenal over the past few seasons, and the growth rate of the once most hode full-back in the past two seasons has been a bit disappointing, and even he has been constantly exposing his shortcomings.
Although Chrissy often has good saves in front of goal, there are still too many times when the brain is short-circuited; For a defender, a goalmouth save is a matter of course, and a brain short circuit is a fatal disaster. The current Arsenal defender Vermaelen and Koscielny have a good partnership, and Sagna is still solid, but Klich is not reliable. Klich recently made another fatal mistake in European Championship qualifying that led to France's defeat to Belarus, and the French defender is really a bit of a heartbreaker right now.
But whether it's Klich or Almunia, a less solid defence has always been a concern for Arsenal to move forward. Even though Arsenal have scored 19 goals in their first five games, they cannot expect their attacking players to score three, four or even six goals in each game, and a single mistake in defense can ruin the team's efforts. A competitive squad that can be rotated effectively can avoid a repeat of the tragedy of being a tiger. Arsenal now really need to strengthen their defence if they want to produce more results in the new season.
Xiao Qing was very unhappy after conceding the goal. It's the truth. Because of this conceded goal, Sunderland have equalised, which is definitely not good news for Arsenal when they arrive; They have managed to make it four wins in a row in the new season, and they are now close to Chelsea at the top of the Premier League table. But it would be a shame to only get a draw because of that goal, because it was a careless mistake and the players were destroying themselves.
Now that the ball has been lost, although Xiao Qing is very annoyed, he has to accept this reality; Fortunately, the team has now been equalized by their opponents. But there are still more than ten minutes of Zuihou to try to recover. Although Xiao Qing is very unhappy, although Wenger is also constantly yelling at the carelessness of Arsenal's defenders on the sidelines, but now is not the time to get angry, what is needed now is to help the team get out of the predicament.
Xiao Qing cheered up and comforted himself that the appearance of this lost goal is not too bad, at least at this time it can expose some problems of the team, the current opponent is relatively weak, and there is still a chance to remedy it at this time. It can only be comforted like this, otherwise it would be a disaster for Arsenal to make such mistakes in some important games.
Because the opponent equalized, the team's morale took a bit of a hit. But Arsenal are not young baby troops, and they don't get put back on their feet because of this difficulty. For a team that has the title as its goal, what they need is tenacious fighting spirit. The current Gunners are indeed facing difficulties and challenges, but they also need to overcome them and achieve more, which is the quality that every great team needs to have.
Xiao Qing didn't want the team's good momentum this season to be ended like this, and Arsenal couldn't be satisfied with just a draw, so Xiao Qing began to exert his strength. Although Arsenal were equalised, but fortunately, Arsenal's overall strength still has the advantage, and when Arsenal regroup, although the game time is running out, they are still very likely to win Zuihou. For Xiao Qing, it is time for him to step up, Xiao Qing no longer needs to prove his importance to Arsenal, but Xiao Qing needs to help the team achieve more victories.
With the clock getting closer to the end of the game, and with the morale of Sunderland's players boosting after the equaliser, the Black Cats Sunderland are now fully retracted and they only need to hold on for a few minutes to keep Zuihou. Now Sunderland is also very sure that they will be able to hold on to Zuihou for a few minutes, because during this time, although Arsenal's attack is fierce, it has been stubbornly finished by Sunderland.
Xiao Qing feels a lot of pressure now, Sunderland's defense against him is very strong, and there are always kraft-like bodyguards clinging to Xiao Qing to prevent him from taking the ball easily, and when Xiao Qing gets the ball, there will definitely be players who will always pay attention to the defense. So Xiao Qing basically has no room to play now, because the opponents don't give Xiao Qing a chance to break through and shoot at all. As for Xiao Qing, it is also difficult to pass the ball, and now Sunderland basically all eleven players are shrunk in the half, and they almost fill every space.
Xiao Qing narrowly avoided Sunderland midfielder Muhammadi's steal, but Xiao Qing, who had just formed a breakthrough, immediately encountered Sunderland's all-round midfielder Henderson's supplemental defense. Xiao Qing was already helpless at this time, because he knew that even if he broke through Henderson, Sunderland, who had some chain defense, would definitely have other players to fill in.
So Xiao Qing violently flicked the ball to the left, avoiding Henderson's Xiao Qing temporarily dodging a gap in this dense defense; After a slight glance at the penalty area, his teammates had no chance at all now, and Xiao Qing had no more chance to break through at this time. So Xiao Qing shot directly from a distance, but this time Xiao Qing's long-range shot was too positive, and Sunderland goalkeeper Mignolie flew to press Xiao Qing's long-range shot firmly under him.
The pressure is now more on Arsenal's side, and with stoppage time now ticking on, time is running out for Arsenal as they threaten to end a four-game winning streak at the Stadium of Light with a stubborn sniper from Sunderland.
Xiao Qing is very unwilling that this game is just a draw, and Sunderland's strength is really average. Arsenal were supposed to emerge victorious in this one. But because of the team's carelessness and excessive relaxation. Arsenal are now in an extremely awkward position.
Although there is not much time left for the game now. But Xiao Qing didn't give up; The Gunners also came to their senses completely at this time, and the Gunners, who knew what they had done in this game, were now unwilling to encounter the first winless game of the new season, so they used the time of the game to launch a crazy attack.
Cesc Fabregas controlled the ball and changed direction slightly to avoid Sunderland's back and split the ball directly, Arshavin broke through a few steps with the ball and was once again blocked; In the half full of defenders, Arsenal was a little helpless, and Arshavin could only grit his teeth and force the ball into the penalty area in order not to lose the ball at this time.
It was Arsenal's strong attack, and Arsenal had no choice; Xiao Qing firmly relied on the defenders behind him, although Xiao Qing now has no room to jump more because of the opponent's close proximity, but Xiao Qing must also ensure that the opponent does not cut off the ball. Although this is a chance that is not a chance. But Xiao Qing also needs to grasp it better, he needs to help the team create more opportunities, and he needs to help the team keep Zuihou's hope.
Under the push of the defenders behind him, although Xiao Qing failed to jump with all his strength, he also stopped the ball with his chest firmly and controlled the ball; Although the defender behind him immediately stretched out his foot to steal when the ball fell, Xiao Qing, who had been prepared, gently pushed the ball forward to avoid being broken. Xiao Qing relied on the defensive players, although he temporarily avoided being cut off, but there was not much time left for Xiao Qing, because at this time, the Sunderland players who smelled blood came towards Xiao Qing, and they couldn't give Xiao Qing more time.
Xiao Qing didn't panic, although the current situation was very bad. But Xiao Qing, who was still very calm, continued to use his possession to contain the opponent, after attracting more defense. Xiao Qing knocked the ball horizontally, and at this time, Fabregas who was following him lightly toe a ball forced the ball to the penalty area again.
Chamak in the box struggled to write down the ball and volleyed straight away, because he was not allowed to adjust in the crowded box at the moment, and he had to shoot directly after getting the ball. But Chamak's barely struck the ball as it bounced off Sunderland defender Rio Ferdinand into the box.
The Stadium of Light was full of cheers, and the Black Cats fans thought that the team had secured this draw and that they could end the defending champions' four-game winning streak! But at this time, Xiao Qing stood up, although Chamak's shot hit the defender and popped up in the penalty area, but for Xiao Qing it was a very good opportunity to scramble for a landing shot.
Although the defender was in front of him, Xiao Qing on the penalty line raised his foot high, although it was very awkward, Xiao Qing still unloaded the ball; At this time, Sunderland defender Bramble also stretched out his foot to steal, but Xiao Qing gently picked the ball to make Bramble's steal miss.
Just when Bramble was still trying to make another steal, in the face of the ball that had just fallen, Xiao Qing half-turned around and hit the ball with his right foot. The ball had some obvious deformation, and this kick gathered all of Xiao Qing's liliang shots, and the ball roared towards the goal, and the defenders had no chance to make amends at this time.
When Sunderland goalkeeper Mignole felt a gust of wind fly past his ears, the Stadium of Light, which still had some cheers, fell into a dead silence, because the ball at this moment hit the net heavily, and Sunderland, who had already equalized the score, was killed because of Xiao Qing's brilliant shot!
Xiao Qing yelled and clenched his fists and shouted, this shot with strong unwillingness can be said to be the most powerful shot in Xiao Qing's career, and this time the shooting effect is really great, two to one, Xiao Qing beat Sunderland at the Zuihou moment of the game, and Arsenal took away a victory at the Stadium of Light to continue the pace of five consecutive league wins!
Arsenal's players are celebrating wildly at this time, Xiao Qing's goal this time is really crucial, because the Gunners have completed self-redemption, and they are still continuing to move forward strongly in the league! (To be continued......)