Chapter 35: Summary and Big Victory
From conceding two goals in the opening five minutes to a 3-2 reversal at the Zuihou moment, Arsenal has experienced a transformation from great sorrow to great joy in the first game of the Champions League group stage this season, and Xiao Qing has undoubtedly played an important role in such a transformation.
To be honest, because Arsenal officially announced before the game that six players would not be available due to injury, and there was also Van Persie, a striker who had just had a good chemistry with Xiao Qing, so this game actually had some difficulties for Arsenal; As a replacement for Van Persie as Xiao Qing's forward partner, Bendtner will definitely have a lot of pressure, because he has played very few times this season, because he and Xiao Qing basically do not have much opportunity to cooperate.
But fortunately, Xiao Qing's performance in this game continued to continue the excellent form since the new season, he once again helped the team to reverse and win, Xiao Qing also completely proved that becoming the Premier League summer transfer king is worth the money, and now Gunners fans must be very fortunate that they have a top striker, they have a big player who can turn the tide at the critical moment of the game!
'It was a really tough game because we had a big blow at the start, being 2-0 down, maybe it was because they were in better shape after the opening game and caught us off guard. We were a bit slow to heat up, and they took advantage of the moment. After the game, Wenger still felt a little frightened when he talked about the nightmare start, out of the protection of his beloved generals, Wenger generally did not criticize someone by name after the game, but it is obviously normal to praise such a thing by name, as for Xiao Qing, the current Arsenal coach is very glad that he asked for Xiao Qing to be strong. He believes that it is Xiao Qing's outstanding performance that has brought the current Arsenal to a new height. And it's getting better and better.
"We've all seen Shaw's performance. He's the kind of player who can be reassuring on the pitch. Let's not mention what he did at Hoffenheim last season, but look at his performances at Arsenal, where he can step up and get better in attack with Shaw's help. I think Shaw deserves everyone's respect for a performance like this, and trust me, he's going to get better and better. Arsene Wenger is very happy with his success in the transfer market, and Xiao Qing's outstanding performance not only made Wenger prove his unique vision once again, but also made him explode into greater ambition. Because Arsenal are really good right now, they can expect more now.
However, despite the victory, Arsenal conceded two goals in the opening five minutes and started their first Champions League group game in the worst possible way; Although Zuihou scored three goals in a row to stage a miraculous comeback, this crazy way of conceding goals made people more and more uneasy about Arsenal's defense. The Gunners' two wing-backs have become a very obvious weakness in the team, and the gaps in both positions have become the favourites of opponents regardless of whether they are strong or weak.
Standard Liege opened the game by targeting Arsenal's weakness and unleashing onslaught from both flanks, and their expected goal was achieved within two minutes, with two easy crosses cleared by headers from inside the box. Bendtner's careless back-heel pass allowed Mangala to score a lightning goal. This goal, although left wing-back Klic is not directly responsible. But he left too much space on the left flank, and it was like a gap in the whole team's defense, where someone needed to fill it, and when it was filled, it would create more gaps.
As for the tired right-back Sagna in the last game, he was replaced by Eboue, who although there was no lack of bright spots in attack, he was also full of holes in defense. Standard Liege's second goal was the right moment for Eboue's eagerness to press the attack.
Arsenal's new centre-back duo of Galla and Vermaelen have been almost impeccable so far, but the poor performances of the two wing-backs have made them suffer. Opponents always have an easy cross to send the ball over the box, and they always have to go out again and again; Worse still, the opponent breaks through from both flanks, which often puts them in a dilemma, on the one hand, they have to step forward to stop the opponent's advance, and on the other hand, they have to worry that there is too much space between them and the goalkeeper behind them, and they may be used by the opponent. Even if the central defenders are paired with two fullbacks who are always easily broken through by the opponent, life may not be easy, and the two fullbacks have become the biggest shortcoming of Arsenal's overall defense.
Speed on the flanks is a weapon that Arsenal rely on in attack, but defensively, the speed of opponents on the wing has also become Arsenal's biggest problem, and the problem comes down to the stubborn problem of the Gunners' two wing-backs. If Arsenal want to get better, maybe they don't need to worry about the team's attack, but when it comes to the team's defense, they really need to pay attention.
Even Standard Liege was able to score two goals against Arsenal, which is undoubtedly a travesty for Arsenal; Although Arsenal has maintained a hot form in attack since the new season, they have conceded goals in almost every game, which also makes Arsenal look beautiful now, but there is also a huge danger lurking.
It is clear that Arsenal's goal is not just to finish in the top four of the Premier League table and reach the last 16 of the Champions League, but now Arsenal is aiming for title glory; If they want to compete for the league title or the Big Ears Cup, then they really need to strengthen their defense, because no team can afford to be riddled with holes in their defense, which will only put more pressure on them to compete for the title of title.
The victorious Arsenal players may not have been overjoyed as they were beaten by a poor start to the game, and despite their first win of the Champions League group stage of the new season, they are sure to be criticised by the media.
But at this time, the Arsenal players don't need to care about these things, because now they need to start again, they need to prepare for the next games. However, this game can be regarded as a wake-up call for Arsenal, although Arsenal has performed well since the new season, but Arsenal's players have just been a little complacent and complacent, and they really need to correct their mentality at this time. Standard Liege's quality may not be very good, but if they meet a stronger team, if Arsenal continue to meet the mentality of the previous performance, then they are really likely to fall hard.
Back in London, when the media was talking about the just-concluded Champions League group stage, the dust had settled on the previous feud between Adebayor and Arsenal.
The practice of slapping the other party first and then giving the other party a piece of candy is obviously difficult to calm the resentment, not to mention that Adebayo doesn't even have sugar. He only made a post-match gesture for stomping on Robin van Persie's cheek and stomping on Xiao Qing in the last round of the league, which is unlikely to be forgiven by Arsenal. Perhaps self-conscious, Adebayo pleaded guilty in the face of the FA's accusations of "violent acts". The Togolese striker will also be immediately punished with a three-match suspension, while Bam Adebayor, who has scored in five consecutive league games this season, will surely be suspended for the red-hot Manchester derby.
Arsene Wenger is very sad about Adebayor, who has dug up the Togolese into the Premier League and then developed them into top strikers. Arsene Wenger, who has also played football before, decided that the stomping was intentional, "because you know very well that this is the kind of situation that will hurt somebody or won't hurt somebody, continue or close your foot." If you do that on the street, you're going to jail! ”
But now it looks good, Adebayo has been punished, and this storm will be extinguished for the time being; However, everyone also understands that this is only temporary, and when Adebayo returns to the Emirates Stadium, then the then guys will surely be booed and abused by the crazy Gunners fans.
Back in London, Arsenal have no more rest as the sixth round of the league is about to begin. On September 20, the sixth round of the 2009-10 English Premier League season was contested at the Emirates Stadium, this time Arsenal will sit at home to meet the challenge of Micro Wigan Athletic; Back-to-back away games have taken Arsenal's energy too much and at this time, they will also get a rare time to recover from the dense schedule.
Wigan Athletic were impressive when they first arrived in the Premier League, but now they have lost their promotion to the Stadium and are now in the face of another massacre at the Emirates Stadium by an in-form Arsenal.
Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 25th minute when Robin van Persie headed in a corner from the right and Vermaelen headed between two Wigan players from 10 yards; Xiao Qing scored his seventh goal in the Premier League, and he also helped the team open the door to victory.
Arsenal extended the score in the 49th minute, Vermaelen and Eboue kicked the wall and fired a left-footed shot into the top left corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area, and Arsenal led 2-0 and basically won the game. However, Arsenal sealed the victory in the 58th minute, Klich crossed from the right side of the penalty area, Xiao Qing's left-footed volley from 20 yards on the left side of the penalty area hit the near corner post and bounced back, Van Persie followed up in time to shoot the Wigan Athletic player's foot deflected into the net, 3-0!
In a frenzied cheer, substitute Bendtner crossed from the right in the 88th minute, and Cesc Fabregas scored from close range in front of the post, 4-0!
Arsenal, who have won two consecutive league games, have once again won a big victory, although they have encountered some difficulties in the previous games, but in this game Arsenal once again proved that they are the strongest attacking team in the Premier League, and they use sharp attacks to make everyone have to pay attention to them! (To be continued......)