Chapter 691: A Legend Meets a Legend
The Champions League quarter-final clash with Barcelona is over, but Arsenal have no time to rest at all, and what the Gunners need now is to continue to play, this time they will start a new league challenge against Aston Villa.
For Arsenal, they really need to play every game well, and now they are getting closer to successfully defending their title in the league, as long as they continue to win, then winning the title is not too much of a challenge for Arsenal. However, Arsenal should not be taken lightly, because they still have a direct title game against Manchester City in the next league game.
Arsenal now need to lay a good foundation, they need to make sure they have better momentum at this time, and only by laying a solid foundation will Arsenal be able to stay at the top of the table, and only then will they be able to secure a third consecutive league title.
In the thirtieth round of the league, Arsenal hosted Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium; Although Aston Villa's strength is really good, it still has enough confidence for Arsenal; Don't look at the current Arsenal, although they have just played a draw with Barcelona in the Champions League, it is not too difficult for the Gunners, because they can still move forward at this time, and they can actually ensure that they continue to move forward in a very good and strong form at this time.
Arsenal don't need to make too many adjustments at this time, because the current Arsenal quality is very good; It's just that considering that Arsenal still have a lot of games in the future, it is also important to make a certain rotation. Arsenal don't need to worry too much about it now. Because the depth of their squad can still be guaranteed to a certain extent.
Right-back McCone was in the starting line-up. Ramsey also replaced Walcott. In addition, Henry also rarely appeared in the starting lineup and partnered with Xiao Qing, although some lineup adjustments have been made, but Arsenal is still confident that they will win this game, and Arsenal can continue to make great progress in the league.
Although everyone now knows that Henry is no longer as brave as he used to be, Arsenal's strongest forward combination is still the partnership of Xiao Qing and Robin van Persie; But when the Arsenal legend can once again appear in the team's starting lineup, it is enough to make Gunners fans feel excited, not to mention that Henry's performance since his return is still very good, plus there is a new superstar in the team's history, Xiao Qing. Naturally, Arsenal fans were even more excited. Although the starting list was announced before the game, but seeing Xiao Qing and Henry tacitly walked to the front court after the opening with a relaxed face, the atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium was also more hot, and Arsenal fans were also looking forward to the team's two legends to have an excellent performance in this game, and they looked forward to a wonderful victory in such a legend and legend cooperation.
Although Thierry Henry has always been on the bench, Thierry, who has returned to Arsenal, has become more of a dressing room leader for the team; But the tiger is old and heroic, Henry may be maintaining a high level of performance throughout the game, but he can still give the team a lot of help in a certain number of games, Xiao Qing and his teammates know that Henry still has good strength now, and now he is partnering with Henry in the front. Xiao Qing naturally knows how to bring more help to the team.
In fact, Aston Villa's record this season is still very good, and they have also caused a lot of trouble for Arsenal. In the FA Cup, Arsenal were eliminated by Villa; In addition, Arsenal failed to gain the upper hand in the first round of the league, so this time the Emirates Stadium game is a must-win for Arsenal, they want to complete revenge at this time, and they can't allow Villa to defeat themselves again and again.
Arsenal was aggressive in this game, although there was a certain lineup adjustment in the midfield, but Arsenal's tactics have not changed at all, and Arsenal still needs to feed Xiao Qing more now. When Xiao Qing played an excellent state, Arsenal naturally had more chances to win in the game, because Xiao Qing is Arsenal's absolute strong point, as an excellent team, Arsenal can certainly understand how to play their strength better.
In the third minute of the game, Ramsey went straight in the middle, Xiao Qing hooked the ball with his left foot, and directly volleyed with his right foot before the defenders had time to react more, but the ball was too positive and was held by Villa goalkeeper Given; Three minutes later, McCone dribbled up front and passed the ball and Thierry Henry's left-footed shot from a tight angle was blocked by Villa defender Collins.
Arsenal's corner was cleared and Villa launched a quick counter-attack from Albrighton on the right with a long drive from the right, the young Alaba couldn't catch up, and Villa's right winger fired a right-footed shot over the crossbar from 12 yards out!
Arsenal narrowly escaped, and Villa's ferocious counterattack this time did give Arsenal a reminder; Villa are now in the top seven of the table, and they are not at the mercy of Arsenal. However, this counterattack also made the Arsenal players more resolute, they will never allow Villa to go wild on their home turf, and Arsenal are confident of winning this game.
Arsenal missed a chance in the eighth minute, McConn, who assisted on the wing, crossed on the right, Xiao Qing knocked back with his heel at the near post, and Ramsey's inevitable shot from less than ten yards out was saved by Given! Henry, on the other hand, was clearly not prepared for the shot, and the ball was ridiculously deflected.
The Emirates Stadium was full of sighs of regret, and it looked like Henry was really old; If Henry had been younger, he would have been able to take advantage of such an absolute opportunity, and he would not have been able to react to the close open door. It looks like Henry is really getting old, and while the Gunners fans want Henry to play better, they have to accept the reality.
Henry shrugged his shoulders regretfully, missing such a goal was indeed a pity for him; But as a well-informed veteran, it's really impossible for him to lose confidence because of such a ball. And for Xiao Qing, he also needs to take on more responsibilities now, because the current team needs him to stand up.
In the 10th minute of the game, Ramsey dribbled the ball to the front of the field and hit the goal from a tight angle, and Villa defender Volnock broke the ball out of bounds. Henry's corner kick was driven to the front point, and Xiao Qing leaned over on the edge of the small penalty area to bomb in the air, and the ball was slightly high. In the 14th minute, Villa midfielder Petrov tackled Arteta, and the Bulgarian was cautioned by referee Dowi.
Arsenal continued to play a series of excellent attacks, and they pushed Villa to the brink, and now Arsenal just lack a better chance to score, they just lack the best chance to score on the verge of the goal.
Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Cazorla cut through the ball on the left and cut cross, forcing a straight stop when the Villa defence contracted; Xiao Qing, who quickly plugged in, was successful in the anti-offside position, and Xiao Qing was not greedy after attracting the Villa goalkeeper to attack, he knocked lightly, and Henry, who kept up, easily pushed the empty goal in one fell swoop, 1 to zero!
The Emirates Stadium fell into a frenzy, although Xiao Qing also had the opportunity to single out the goalkeeper at that time, and according to Xiao Qing's ability, he was also fully sure; But seeing Xiao Qing feed such a good ball to the team's legend in the game, watching Henry score at the Emirates Stadium again, Arsenal fans have no reason not to be excited, especially after seeing Henry smiling and hugging Xiao Qing after the goal, the cheers of the Emirates Stadium suddenly rose a few points, which is what Arsenal fans want to see the most!
It was Arsenal's carnival moment, and even Arsene Wenger, who has always been calm, came to the sidelines to applaud; And the Arsenal players are also very knowledgeable at this time to make a gesture of worship, which naturally makes the Emirates Stadium full of warmth. Thierry Henry is a legend of the team, and his resume is worthy of admiration by Arsenal's players; And Xiao Qing led Arsenal to a new peak, and he is also worthy of Arsenal's players.
When legend meets legend, when two of the greatest players in the team's history play together, when they see these two players join forces to help the team score, it is enough to excite all Arsenal people. Maybe this goal is not full of gold, maybe Villa is not a good opponent, and even this game is not as important as imagined. But it doesn't matter, it's enough to see two of the biggest legends in the team's history play a beautiful combination and goals in this game to help the team win.
Of course, Xiao Qing is very happy, and this assist is really exciting for him, because he can play for the team with his idol, because he can send passes for his idol. Although Xiao Qing may seem to have achieved more achievements than Henry now, many times idols will always be idols, no matter what position Xiao Qing stands.
Xiao Qing can also do better in the game, in addition to assists, Xiao Qing should score goals, which is his main task.
In the 24th minute of the game, Arsenal extended the score, and Alexander Song sent an excellent pick pass in front; Xiao Qing stopped the ball with his right foot and pushed it directly, and Jiwen, who was half a beat slower, could only watch the ball drill into the goal from his armpit.
2-0, Arsenal basically locked up the victory of this game completely, and for Arsenal fans, this game is also full of joy, because the legend meets the legend, and Arsenal also won! (To be continued......)