0169 Goodbye, Robin
In the 19th round of the Premier League, Leeds United drew 0-0 away to Liverpool.
Leeds United's official website has published a piece of news.
Dutch striker Robin van Persie will move to Real Madrid for Β£24 million when the winter transfer window opens.
As soon as the news came out, the fans were in an uproar.
Originally, Leeds United just didn't have enough offensive firepower, so they were eliminated in the Champions League.
Now Van Persie has just returned and is in great form, scoring goals in quick succession. Just when all Leeds United fans were looking forward to Van Persie leading the team to continue to win, the information about Van Persie's transfer was suddenly exposed, and it was an official announcement.
The fans are angry first of all, because the fans will always be unabashedly fond of all the players who have the quality, and they will express their disgust with the kind of players who can't bring the team victory. Now that the team's most capable striker, the most capable striker, is leaving, how can they not be angry?
Then, they felt pity and left messages below asking Van Persie to stay.
But business is business, and what has been decided cannot be changed.
Subsequently, Leeds United also held a media conference, which was attended by managers George Lee and Robin van Persie.
'Thank you very much, I've learned a lot in my three years at Leeds United, made a lot of new friends and made a lot of great memories here. Van Persie began his speech to all the media.
Then, when asked if he left because he was at odds with the manager, Van Persie replied.
'Coach Lee is a very good coach, he allowed and supported me to play at a bigger club and from my first day at Leeds United, we worked together and there was no conflict between us.
Finally, when asked if he would play in the next league game, Van Persie said yes.
"Yes, my first league game at Leeds United three years ago was against Arsenal and I remember that game very well. We lost, but we played our style, we played our tactics and it was a great game. Now, three years later, my last league game away from Leeds United was against Arsenal, which was a coincidence. β
Just as the reporter was about to ask the next question, Van Persie said he was not finished yet, and he continued.
"Arsenal is a team that I've always dreamed of joining since I was a kid and my dad and I are Arsenal fans. I almost joined Arsenal when I was in the Netherlands, but unfortunately it didn't work out. I think it's very rewarding to be able to end my Premier League career in this way now. β
George Lee glared at Van Persie.
Then he took the microphone and spoke to Van Persie.
"I've really wronged you when I come here, or if the winter window opens, you go to play two games for Arsenal first and then leave, and I'll explain to Real Madrid......"
Van Persie hurriedly waved his hand.
George Lee made a gesture to hit Van Persie, but Van Persie quickly hid with his head in his hands.
And the reporters below burst into laughter.
It can be seen that George Li is joking, and such a media conference is not at all like a farewell by these two people.
^^^
Van Persie stepped into Elland Road for the last time.
"Robin, stay."
"We need you."
β......β
When fans saw Van Persie enter the stadium, they began to shout and express that they wanted Van Persie to stay.
Of course, there are also a small number of extreme fans who are scolding Van Persie, accusing him of running away and going to Real Madrid for money. It was quiet, but Van Persie heard it.
Van Persie didn't hear it, but reached out and waved to the fans who supported him.
Today, Van Persie is still the right winger he is most familiar with, with Kuyt and Smith up front.
The struggling Smith was once again in his favourite left winger position today.
In midfield, Milner, Gravison and Parker formed a new iron triangle combination, which can be regarded as a new attempt by Lee.
The four defenders of the backline, Mills, Albchesten, Glenqvist and Baines started together.
The goalkeeper is still Van der Sar.
As for today's opponents, Arsenal.
Although Wenger said before the game that there must be a beginning and an end, since Van Persie lost his first league game in the Premier League against Arsenal, then the last game today will definitely lose, even if he is an Arsenal fan.
It's just that Arsenal can't put out the strongest squad here today to deal with Leeds United today.
Adebayo passed the ball to Rosicky behind him and started running forward.
But immediately Rosicky was pressed by Smith in the frontcourt.
Smith?
Rosicky was immediately stunned, Leeds United gave the starting point before the game was Milner in the middle, and Smith on the left.
Why did I get the ball in the middle of the road, and Smith came over immediately, what should I do on the side?
Rosicky got ahead of Smith and passed the ball to Toure on the right, taking a look at what Leeds had to say about the attack on the flank. Smith suddenly came to the wing, so who was left on the wing?
It was Milner, who had just finished kick-off, and here Milner and Smith completed a switch, Smith went to the middle, and Milner went to the left.
Toure squeezed Milner with his body, trying to pass him.
But Milner doesn't look strong, and he is still a speed-type player, but he still managed to carry Toure.
Although he carried it, he was still squeezed out of space by Toure and entered the half of Leeds United.
It's just that as soon as he entered the opponent's half, he was killed by Baines from a diagonal stab, and a sliding tackle cut off the ball.
After cutting the ball off, Baines passed the ball directly to Milner on the wing, and Toure, who was supposed to defend in that position, had just gotten up and was chasing back.
Milner stumbled comfortably into the Arsenal mansion and, with the two opposition's centre-backs not coming up, Milner calmly pulled the ball back from his left foot to his right foot before slotting a cross down the left with his right foot.
In this case, Kuyt was running forward and Smith was starting to cut forward from the penalty spot in the middle. Two of Arsenal's defenders were eyeing the two.
"Rear point!"
Arsene Wenger has spotted Leeds' intentions and loudly reminded his players on the pitch.
Lehmann was the first to spot Van Persie at the back post, after all, he was facing the Leeds United player's attacking direction and hurriedly moved towards the back post.
But a little later, Van Persie jumped straight to the goal.
The ball flew high above Lehmann's glove and the Arsenal goalkeeper couldn't get enough of it.
However, the ball also went over the crossbar and came close to hitting the ball.
"Whew~"
The Leeds fans in the stadium exclaimed, followed by applause for Leeds United's shot from the opening kick-off.
"Papapa~"
After the applause, the fans continued to stare intently inside the stadium as it was the last game of Leeds United's No.9.
If you see Robin van Persie in the future, you will probably see it in the Champions League in the future.
At the same time, all the fans will be hoping that Robin van Persie will score a goal in Leeds United's final game.
Enthusiastic home fans have been looking forward to Robin van Persie's final Leeds United game.
And Van Persie did not live up to the expectations of all the fans.
It's just that it's not a goal, it's an assist.
In the 16th minute of the game, Leeds United attacked from the left.
Baines and Mills were particularly active today because of George Lee's tactical set-up.
The full-backs went straight up front to defend the ball-carrying full-backs of Arsenal opposite.
Even Arsenal, who claim to be the best at kicking the ball in the Premier League, feel that it is a little difficult to pound the ball at the back.
After a couple of passes, Toure's ball was snatched away by Baines.
Losing the ball at the back is a big no-no on the court.
Toure's feint was seen through by Baines, who waited for him to come to the door in his position one step ahead.
After the tackle, it was still Baines' cross from the left.
It's still the back point.
Today Leeds United made it clear that they were playing the ball for Van Persie and hoping he could finish the scoring.
Only this time the Dutchman gently headed the ball into the middle of the box with a little head at the back point.
Smith was well prepared and even stuck out his tongue as he lifted his foot before shooting.
The ball whistled past two of Arsenal's centre-backs.
It was too late for Lehmann to make a save, watching the ball fly into the net without moving.
Don't blame Lyman for being incompetent, it's Smith who is too comfortable playing.
The position where the ball came to the ground, the height of the bounce and so on, made for this wonderful goal. Of course, Smith's own reasons also have a lot to do with it.
1 to 0.
"Perfect shots, perfect shots!"
The host shouted loudly and led the audience to chant "Alan Smith" and "Robin Van Persie's name".
And the "nightclub duo" after the goal also hugged each other again. This could be their last game together.
After Smith scored, he walked up to Van Persie and asked Van Persie to jump on his back to celebrate.
The two of them ran half a football field like this.
In the following games, Arsenal regained a little bit of form and began to think about using quick shots to push the attack.
Especially for Leeds United's two relatively slow-moving centre-backs, it should be a good option to let Theo Walcott run from the right to the middle, but the Arsenal youngster did choose to go down the ground today, which also made Arsene Wenger shake his head in dissatisfaction.
But the hard work paid off, and Adebayo finally found his chance before the end of the first half. Scored through Van der Sar's goal.
1 to 1.
Arsenal equalised.
Van Persie's farewell battle is full of suspense again.
^^^
This time Leeds United played more aggressively, with the frontcourt players constantly interspersed with movements.
When Van Persie is suddenly up front, Kuyt will come to the right.
When Smith went all the way to the middle for an opportunity to get forward, Milner would sneak into the wing. Of course, Milner will also be there when there is a need for someone on the right.
This makes Arsenal very uncomfortable.
After all, Arsene Wenger has a good hand at adjusting the attack, as for the defense.
It's all up to the players themselves.
However, although Leeds United has been changing positions here, it still can't pry open Arsenal's backline, which is not ranked in the entire Premier League.
Gilberto stood like a wall in front of Arsenal's defence. Constantly cooperate with the defense line to defend, clear the siege, and scramble. At the same time, it also delivers ammunition to the front court.
As for Theo Walcott, who had performed well against Leeds United before, he met his opponent today. Not only did Baines get his own assists, but he was also able to come back.
Walcott didn't play well today, and the breakaway completion rate was not high.
The two sides went back and forth, stalemate, but there was no goal.
Under Wenger's watch, Arsenal strengthened their defence against Van Persie, and Klich barely stepped forward and kept an eye on Van Persie.
The two teams battled until 80 minutes, and Leeds United were already preparing to bring on Arneson for Van Persie to receive a round of applause from the audience.
But it was at this time that Leeds United scored.
It was Robin van Persie who scored.
Smith cut inside from the left and used a series of feints to get past an Arsenal centre-back twice, but he still didn't shoot, opting to cross the ball horizontally.
The ball is passed from one side of the arc of the penalty area to the other.
Van Persie, who was waiting there, did not choose to stop the ball, but chose to hit the goal with his feet.
It wasn't Van Persie's favourite blast. It is an arc which I came out with an inside instep.
In a beautiful arc, the ball flew around the palm of Lehmann's hand and into the goal against the left post.
And just like that, Robin van Persie scored his final goal at Leeds United.
After the goal, Van Persie ignored the blockade and took off his shirt to reveal the white vest underneath.
βFor LeedsοΌβ
Three years at Leeds United, Van Persie, who has grown up at Leeds United for three years, has come to say goodbye.
Before leaving, he gave a wonderful goal to the fans.
Leeds United fans also bid farewell to their favourite Dutch striker with the warmest cheers.
After the celebration, the referee on duty, Dean, ran to show Van Persie a yellow card.
But after the presentation, he smiled and greeted Van Persie.
"Goodbye, Robin."
The yellow card doesn't matter anymore because it's time for Van Persie to come down.
Van Persie greeted his team-mates one by one before heading to the sidelines to prepare for a substitution.
"Come on, lad."
"Pretty, Robin."
After a brief greeting, Van Persie came to the bench and prepared to sit down.
I saw Arsenal launch a counter-attack.
Hleb received a pass from Cesc Fabregas and swooped it off.
Thankfully, Van der Sar was quick to hold the ball and not let Van Persie fail to win this last Premier League game.
In the end, Leeds United also won the game with Van Persie's stunner.
After the game, Van Persie came to the stadium and heard all the fans in the stadium shouting.
"Goodbye, Robin."
"Goodbye, Robin."
β......β
Van Persie kept waving his hand and walked around the field several times.
With the shouts of fans who couldn't stop for a long time, Van Persie was even a little reluctant.
For two and a half seasons, Van Persie has missed every year due to injury, but as long as he plays, he is a sharp blade in the hands of George Lee.
In particular, his most iconic non-stop volley has become a weapon for Leeds United to destroy the city.
Finally, after one last gesture to the fans, Van Persie entered the tunnel to attend the media.
1 goal and 1 assist, a perfect curtain call.
Van Persie's recent hot form, many media have said that 24 million pounds, less.
^^^
The day after the game, Leeds United's official website continued to post a picture.
In the lonely dressing room, all the Leeds United shirts are arranged according to number, except for the number 9 in the middle.
"Goodbye, Robin."
There are only these two words in the picture.