But sometimes, what's going on on the football pitch is just that weird.

Arsenal launched an onslaught on the new Manchester United, seeing that the new Manchester United defense was crumbling, as if it could be penetrated by Arsenal at any time, and on several occasions, Arsenal's attacking players got good chances, but they just failed to convert into goals.

Either goalkeeper Almunia was brilliant or the defenders were brilliant and blocked the shots, with Patrice Evra and Essien twice saving the team in the nick to keep Bergkamp and Thierry Henry out of the line.

It was in such an absolute disadvantage that the new Manchester United bit its last breath, and every attack of Arsenal seemed to be able to inflict the final blow on the new Manchester United at any time, but every time it turned into a futility in the end.

"We can see that the new Manchester United is obviously planning to set up an iron bucket in this game, they didn't even leave a single player in the front court, even the striker Keic has returned to the front of the box to defend, is the new Manchester United really planning to give up the attack and defend to the end?" Andy Gray smiled wryly.

With 20 minutes to go, the first 20 minutes saw a measly 23 per cent of the possession while Arsenal had 77 per cent, but the difference in the number of shots on goal between the two sides was really huge, with the latter making a total of 15 attempts, 11 of which were long-range shots that failed to pose a threat, while the latter did not even have a single shot on goal, and could not even enter the Arsenal penalty area.

It has to be said that it was a one-sided situation, at least from the opening 20 minutes.

Even so, the new United fans were very supportive of the team, and even if it was a foul in their favour, they would give them a round of applause, as if their applause could give motivation to the players on the pitch.

'There's nothing wrong with that, Andy, you know, Arsenal are the Premier League giants, but the new Manchester United is just a national league team, although they are both top leagues, but the former is the top of the professional league system and the latter is the top of the amateur league system, there is a world of difference between the two. Martin Taylor said with a smile.

"You don't say it, I really ignored it, you know, I was so impressed by the last game at Highbury that I still have the impression that the new Manchester United are the same team as Arsenal!" Andy Gray laughed awkwardly.

"If you count according to the league level, it will take at least four years for the new Manchester United to rise to the same level as Arsenal, and in football, four years can change dramatically, you only have to look at Ajax four years ago and Ajax four years later, you can appreciate how deep the gap is!"

"So according to you, the new Manchester United are clearly planning to stick to the iron bucket tactics to the end?"

"Why not?" Martin Taylor smiled and asked, "In terms of attack, I'm afraid that Arsenal has penetrated the goal of the new Manchester United before the new Manchester United has found the way in the Arsenal penalty area, so it is better to defend to the end." ”

"But even if they hold on to 0-0, but the next round of replay will be at Highbury Stadium, will the new Manchester United give up the home opportunity and feel that they are more likely to win at Highbury Stadium?" Andy Gray joked.

Martin Taylor shook his head, "I think the starting line-ups of both sides in this game are very targeted, but the winner should be on the two wings, you find no, the new Manchester United almost completely restrained Arsenal's two wings!" ”

At the same time as these words were spoken, Thierry Henry picked up the ball on the left and was about to start accelerating, but Essien, who was stabbed from the side, forced him to the ground, causing a foul, but also interrupting Arsenal's attacking rhythm.

"Parloer on the right side is very capable of running, but the impact is not enough, but the attack power of Henry's partner Ashley Cole on the left side is very threatening, so the new Manchester United pays attention to the help protection of their right side when defending, Essien often appears in this area, plus Hleb and Stansson, Arsenal's left side almost did not play much of a threat."

"The right side can't burst up, and the left side is restricted, which makes Arsenal's left and right wings can't fly, so it also causes Arsenal's attack to be thunderous and rainy, which seems to have an advantage, but in fact, there are not many that can threaten the new Manchester United goal."

As if to confirm Martin Taylor's comments, Arsenal attacked again, with Parloer on the right taking the ball, but Olic quickly posted it up and barely crossed, but Kanu in the middle couldn't take advantage of Abidal.

"In addition, I think we should pay attention to the fact that Kanu is the bridgehead of Arsenal's attack, but in this game, the height of the Nishuanians has no advantage at all, you look at the results I just counted, the new Manchester United back line in addition to Evra, Abidal is 1.86 meters tall, Distin is 1.91 meters tall, and even the right wingback Stanson is 1.89 meters, although they are not as good as Kanu, but Kanu's header and card position are not dominant at all."

After Andy Gray listened, and then watched the live game, Arsenal left Ashley Cole crossed, but was pushed out of the penalty area by Distin, although Petit who was inserted in the back row stopped the ball and launched a second wave of attacks, but Paulson quickly stepped forward, forcing Petit to rush a long shot and did not hit the target.

"If my guess is correct, this is a bucket formation specially laid by the new Manchester United for Arsenal, the two wings can't fight, the bridgehead in the middle is controlled, and Arsenal's attack suddenly dies down." Martin Taylor gives his own judgment.

As the minutes ticked by, it seemed that as Martin Taylor had said, Arsenal's attack had been unable to play due to the new Manchester United's desperate defence.

"I think Arsene Wenger should have made a decisive adjustment at this time!" Andy Gray watched it for a while, felt that the game was too dull, and couldn't help but give his opinion.

Martin Taylor smiled: "Everyone knows that there are many ways to break the iron bucket formation, the most effective is the wing and long shot, but now the right side of Parol can not break through, so that the new Manchester United has enough energy to defend the left side of Arsenal, which also causes the left side to be restricted, as for the long shot...... Hehe, you see, the new Manchester United penalty area and the periphery of the penalty area are full of people, where does the ball go in? ”

After hearing this, Andy Gray looked at the penalty area of the new Manchester United, and sure enough, there were people everywhere.

"I think the new Manchester United could consider calling a couple of tall guys over, putting them in a line in front of the goal, and then letting the Arsenal players shoot and see who can score!" Andy Gray shook his head helplessly.

"There is no way to do it, Andy, the difference in strength between the two sides is too huge, as the weak side of the new Manchester United, the first consideration is definitely not to attack, but how to avoid conceding goals as much as possible, and the iron bucket formation is the best way." Martin Taylor was very open-minded.

"But it's drowsy!" Andy Gray muttered.

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After the first 20 minutes of onslaught, Arsenal's offensive has obviously weakened a little, and the rhythm of the game has relaxed, which is obviously Wenger's signal to the players on the field, don't push too hard, let the new Manchester United have a chance to breathe, pull out to play.

However, Bruce also kept signaling his players on the sidelines to be careful, keep the three lines compact, and would rather give up attacking than give Arsenal even the slightest chance, Martin Taylor is right, even if he doesn't score, don't concede a goal.

Against a strong team like Arsenal, once you concede a goal, it will be a catastrophe for the new Manchester United.

Because Parloer's attacking ability on the right side is not strong, Arsenal's attack direction is mainly focused on Henry and Ashley Cole on the left, but the new Manchester United's Essien and Juninho Jr. also frequently help defend on the right, so that Paulsen and Vieira in the middle have many opportunities to face each other.

When Vieira was about to receive a cross from his teammates, Paulson suddenly slid from the side, and even took Vieira to stagger a few steps, almost falling to the ground, and when he reacted, the ball had been cleared by Juninho Jr.

"Hey, Mr. Referee, it's a foul!"

Vieira rushed to the referee in dissatisfaction and shouted with open hands.

As Vieira's team-mate, Petit also rushed over and put pressure on the referee to inflict a very bad foul.

However, the referee simply signaled that Poulsen tackled the ball first, and then tripped Vieira after he couldn't retract the momentum, which was not a foul, it was a very beautiful defense.

The fans at the scene responded with enthusiastic boos for Petit pestering the referee.

Petit grimaced, and as he walked back, he passed by Paulson, who sneered, "When you are defending, don't you often shovel opponents to the back?" How? Suffering? ”

As soon as Petit heard this, he immediately glared angrily at Paulson, who stretched out his hands and looked innocent, but his expression was more like a sneer, which annoyed Petit.

"Be careful, Danish boy!"

"I'll wait for you, Frenchman!" Paulson didn't budge.

Although Bruce gave him the task of annoying Vieira, in fact, Paulson felt that Petit seemed to be more irritated than Vieira, and he was now like a bull with a thunderous thunderstorm, especially his kind of eyes, which Paulson knew very well that were ready to make himself look good, and Paulson paid attention to this.

Sure enough, it wasn't long before Arsenal attacked again, this time on the left, but Ashley Cole conceded the ball thanks to the combination of Juninho Jr. and Hleb.

Juninho, who had the ball, couldn't find a chance in front of him, and knocked back to Essien in the middle, who passed to nearby Paulsen, but at this moment, Petit knocked Paulsen to the ground with a vicious tackle from the side, and the latter rolled around and lay on the ground, clutching his right ankle in pain.

The referee, who was not far away, immediately blew the whistle, ran over, and reached into his chest pocket to make a card move!

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