Becoming a football god from Arsenal

Chapter 274: Gilbert has a good chance? Old Trafford vs Manchester United! Scudmore's game!
After this round of matches, Arsenal only has one game left in November, and their entire schedule is about to enter the most intensive period.

“Manchester United.”

On November 11, the day before the match against Manchester United and before the last recovery training, Wenger spoke in the locker room, "This is our opponent in the next round. I have a few words to say about them."

He didn't bring a tactical board or anything else. Arsenal is now stronger than ever, and doing your best is always more important than studying your opponents.

What the team needs is to stabilize their mentality, maintain confidence, and then win the game!
"Arsenal faced a lot of challenges last season, with Manchester United being one of the biggest challenges, so there was a lot of concern and even some fear about the team.

Wenger smiled faintly and shook his head: "I hope everyone can abandon this idea and treat Manchester United as a team like other Premier League teams.

"Since losing the title race in the second half of last season, Manchester United has been gradually going downhill. This season their decline has been more obvious and rapid, and they have basically become a team that is trying to maintain its top four position."

After these words were spoken, many players in the locker room smiled with a hint of meaning and teasing.

In the past few years, Arsenal was the team that was defending the top four, while Manchester United, Chelsea and other teams were the undisputed championship contenders at that time.

Unexpectedly, the situation has changed. Today, Arsenal has become the dominant team, while other teams such as Manchester United have gradually become teams that are trying to maintain their top four position. This is really a case of things changing rapidly.

"There are many issues facing this team right now, here are a few key examples."

Wenger gave examples to strengthen everyone's confidence. "First, the signings at the beginning of the season were ineffective. This season's Manchester United does not look much different from last season, but football is a sport where if you don't make progress, you will regress. If you keep the same, you will definitely fall behind.

"Many of Manchester United's core players are one year older, and their confidence was knocked out by us and Manchester City last season, so their form has declined. Their fighting power is no longer as good as before."

After saying this, Wenger's face showed some complexities, "Secondly, the contradictions between the head coach Ferguson and the Glazer family gradually broke out. The tense relationship between the two families will definitely affect this team to a great extent and cause panic among the people.

"I think Manchester United are about to enter an era of power change, which will be a chaotic era. Maybe they are in a mess now."

Maher raised his head slightly. If he remembered correctly, Ferguson should leave Manchester United next year, in a not very decent way.

There was no championship last season, and there is little hope this season. Perhaps his departure will be accelerated, at least it is impossible for him to stay after this season.

What a pity, a famous coach who made Manchester United the world's top team in both performance and commercialization ended up like this.

Thinking of this, he looked at Wenger again. If he had not come here in his life and history had continued to develop as it was, the final fate of the French coach would actually be similar to that of Ferguson. Maybe even more tragic because he never fulfilled his dream.

"." Wenger then spoke a few more points, and then asked the assistant coaches to take the players out for warm-up. After the warm-up, everyone moved the ball briefly and prepared to go home to prepare for the game.

"Hiss!" But at this moment, Arteta suddenly took a breath after turning around, and lay on the ground holding his calf.

Everyone suddenly became anxious and surrounded him to ask about the situation. They only left after the team doctor arrived.

"You might have a chance."

Maher watched Arteta being helped out of sight, with a hint of sadness in his eyes. Injury is something that no player wants to encounter, but he still started a conversation with Gilbert beside him.

Gilbert didn't say anything, but there was a blazing fire in his eyes. He had been looking forward to the starting position for a long time.

"Snapped!"

Maher knew that Gilbert might not be able to express anything at this time, so he could only say: "We must seize the opportunity and play well against Manchester United. This is the biggest obstacle on our way to 58 games unbeaten.

"I looked at the schedule. After this round, until the 21st round of the league, our opponents are Swansea, West Bromwich Albion, Reading, Wigan Athletic, West Ham United, Newcastle United and Southampton.

"They are not very difficult to deal with. As long as we beat Manchester United, we will have a good chance of reaching 59 games unbeaten."

Gilbert nodded, lowered his head to remove his shin guards, said goodbye to Maher, and walked quickly towards the parking lot, as if he wanted to go home quickly to study Manchester United's video tapes and see the technical and tactical characteristics of this team.

Maher couldn't help but look at him a few more times. They were finally going to fight side by side again.

Moreover, the time they will fight side by side this time may be very long. He does not mean to gloat over Arteta's injury, but he is looking forward to the partnership with his good brother.

On November 11, Old Trafford was packed with people, red occupied the entire stadium, and fans of both teams were holding their breath and wanted to stab each other hard.

When Wenger and Ferguson were there, the match between Manchester United and Arsenal could always be considered a derby.

In terms of historical grudges, the two teams do not actually have many or deep grudges.

But just like in any region or platform where there are multiple competitors, there will always be two strong contenders. The matchup between Manchester United and Arsenal can be considered a competition between the two strongest teams in the Premier League!

Even though the 'two strong' situation has changed a bit in the past few years, fans don't seem to be looking forward to the battle between Arsenal and Manchester United as much as before.

But after Maher's arrival, after Arsenal returned to a strong position, and at the sunset of the Ferguson dynasty, people are looking forward to the encounter between these two teams under different circumstances!
"Playing away against Manchester United is definitely a challenge for Arsenal. Everyone knows that at Old Trafford, at the Theatre of Dreams, Manchester United players will be in a different state and they will fight hard with any enemy who comes.

"Man Utd have never lost three games in a row at the Theatre of Dreams, not now and not in the future!

"I believe it will be a great match and both Arsenal and Manchester United will give everything on this pitch.

"Before the game, I would like to introduce that due to Arteta's thigh muscle strain, he will be out for at least 4 weeks, so Gilbert appeared in Arsenal's starting lineup.

"This may be a hidden danger for Arsenal, a point that Manchester United can take advantage of. However, Arsenal fans do not need to worry too much about the young player's condition. As long as he can stand here, I believe he will defend the glory of the Gunners!"

"."

The director's camera suddenly flashed to a place in the stands, where Premier League CEO Scudmore could be seen sitting with a group of dignitaries.

"Ah, this is Scudmore, the CEO of the Premier League. Under his leadership, the Premier League has made a magnificent leap and has become a league that can challenge La Liga!

"And if they keep going this way, it's almost certain that they will become the most commercially successful league in the future.

"There is no doubt that he is an excellent CEO and he has changed the Premier League! He deserves the respect of all fans.

"Of course, superstars like Maher are also working silently behind the scenes for this league, which is why the Premier League can get better and better!
"Scudmore acknowledges this as well, having praised Maher on social media many times."

"."

"Well, the players from both sides have come on the field, and this big battle is about to start at the Theatre of Dreams. This may be the biggest challenge Arsenal has encountered after completing their 49-game unbeaten run!

"By stepping past Manchester United, they may be able to move towards a brighter future!"

On the sidelines of the stadium, Wenger and Ferguson, two old coaches who have fought each other for half their lives, met on the sidelines and they were going to perform pre-match etiquette.

Unlike the previous indifference or hostility, this time the two of them smiled, held each other's hands, and held each other's arms to chat.

"How have you been lately?" Ferguson looked at Wenger and started chatting.

Wenger raised his eyebrows and replied: "Not bad, how about you?"

Ferguson's smile was a bit complicated and bitter, but he quickly hid this emotion. He did not give a direct answer, "It took a long time of depression for me to understand how you felt at the time."

"Haha." Wenger laughed, but as he laughed, the smile disappeared from his eyes.

This was strange, he thought, he would be happy to hear this from Ferguson. "It has been a long time since Manchester United lost the Premier League dominance, but it has never been so painful before."

Ferguson seemed to cherish the encounter with Wenger on the field, and couldn't help but say more, "I didn't know why before, until I saw you break your previous record, I understood why I was upset, or I should say, I understand your previous situation better.

"Because what you have to endure is not only the sadness of your own decline, but also watching your old enemy, with whom you once fought to the death, rise all the way to the top, return to the dominant position, and look down on you from a high place.

"After all this time, the gap and sadness in my heart are hard to describe."

Wenger's expression changed. Ferguson was willing to tell him this. I wonder if he already knew his own ending.

Ferguson patted Wenger on the shoulder and said as he turned and left: "Manchester United ended Arsenal's 49-match unbeaten streak a few years ago. I hope we can end your 51-match unbeaten streak today.

"I know you are still upset about the controversial penalty at that time. Today I hope to make you fall with conviction."

"Then come on." Wenger smiled and turned to walk to his seat.

"Beep!!"

At this time, the whistle for the official start of the game was blown on the field. Manchester United sent a center circle ball and players from both sides started fighting.

No matter how the attitudes between Wenger and Ferguson change, the attitudes of the players on the field will not change. For these 90 minutes, they are just enemies.

"Come onArsenal!! Come onArsenal!!"

“Glory Glory Man UnitedGlory Glory!!”

Compared with the mutual admiration between Wenger and Ferguson, what has a greater impact on them is the hysterical shouts of fans from both sides at this moment, the gunpowder smell and fierce confrontation on the field!
"boom!!"

"Crack!"

“Fuck off!”

As soon as the game started, the sound of footwork could be heard throughout the stadium. Tackles and verbal abuse between players were also extremely frequent, and players would even yell at the referee when they were anxious.

After Maher rushed up, he faced off against Manchester United defender Rafael. He used his body to push against the opponent, looking for an opportunity to receive the ball with his back and turn around to break through.

Rafael is not well-known in European football, and his highest value at Manchester United has not exceeded 2000 million euros, but his defensive ability is indeed good, and he is the best choice that Manchester United can pull out to compete with him.

In the 8th minute of the game, after receiving the ball, he had some thoughts that might undermine Rafael's confidence.

He performed a skillful rainbow dribble, using the arch of his right foot to pull the ball to the back of his left leg, rolling it along his calf, and finally kicking both legs and feet backwards.

"Swish!" The football flew behind Rafael. Rafael quickly turned around and stepped forward, while using his arms to push him back, trying to stop him from rushing forward.

Rafael did a good job, but it is obvious that there is still a big gap between him and Maher in terms of physical talent.

"Thump, thump, thump!" Maher took only two steps and passed by him and entered the penalty area.

Although the subsequent cross failed to threaten the goal in the end, it still caused some changes in Rafael's expression.

"The game continues! Manchester United is ready to launch a counterattack! Judging from the attitude they showed after coming up today, they still want to seek opportunities from the offense and strive for victory!
"Ferguson should have made a lot of targeted deployments against Arsenal, and he definitely has the ability to restrain Arsenal at many points.

"If they do that, they will have a chance to score, but whether they can win, only God knows.

"This time it's Rooney in the middle with the ball! Pass it to Carrick! Going to force his way to Gilbert in the middle! Two against one!

"Gilbert couldn't hold on any longer, Vermaelen tried to come over to help him! Gilbert made a beautiful tackle and destroyed the ball! But after he got up, he seemed to be tripped by Rooney and fell to the ground again!
"He spread his hands in dissatisfaction towards the referee, but Rooney rushed forward muttering something!
"A kick! An anti-aircraft gun! Both sides may be dissatisfied with this attack and defense!"

"."

"Hit! Hit!"

At the sidelines, Wenger shouted at the referee, "What if this ball went in? Will you regret not calling a foul on Rooney?"

On the field, Gilbert waved his hands, but his young face among the Manchester United and Arsenal superstars was obviously unconvincing and lacking in momentum.

Rooney saw his appearance and deliberately walked past him, saying: "If you can't stand this kind of confrontation, you should go to another league to play football.

"Stay humble, kid. You are not Maher, and certainly not me. Playing as a substitute in the Premier League at the age of 19 is nothing to be proud of."

Gilbert and Rooney had worked together briefly in the England national team. He looked at Rooney in disbelief at this moment, not understanding why the big brother was so aggressive today.

"Get away from me." His anger was also aroused, and he waved his hand at Rooney and complained, "Being fourth in the league standings is nothing to be proud of. If you are brave enough, go for first place."

"What did you say?"

After hearing this, Rooney turned around and immediately tried to confront Gilbert, escalating the conflict. "Say it again? You will never get half of the Premier League titles I have won in your lifetime!"

"Who knows?" Gilbert sneered and greeted him. He knew that the more cowardly he was, the more he would be bullied by these superstars. The two of them immediately began to push and shove, and the game became more tense.

Ashley Young, Carrick and others quickly arrived. At Old Trafford, they would not accept their captain suffering a loss in the conflict.

Gilbert quickly fell into a disadvantage and was pushed around by several people. It was not until several defenders of the team came over that he felt better.

"What are you doing!!"

Maher rushed over from the front court and pushed Rooney, the instigator of the conflict, hard, "What's the point of bullying him? Come at me if you have the guts."

"Who did you learn this from?" Rooney sneered and mocked, "You're just a brat, why are you pretending to be a tough guy?"

"You're just talking about your age. Your peak season data is only about the same as mine in the 15th round of this year's league." Maher poked at his sore spot and stepped forward to confront Rooney.

Rooney is very strong. It may not be obvious, but he is definitely one of the most physically fit players in the Premier League.

However, when he met Maher, he had no advantage and could only retreat step by step.

"Beep beep beep!!"

The referee immediately came up to stop the conflict, but surprisingly, he actually showed yellow cards directly to Rooney and Gilbert, and then turned around and showed one to Maher who had just made the more aggressive move.

"what?!"

Maher held his head in his hands. He could understand if only he or Gilbert was given a yellow card in this conflict, but he could not accept giving it to both of them.

He subconsciously smiled ridiculously, glanced at Wenger on the sidelines, and then looked at the referee.

He knew that this game might not be that simple.

(End of this chapter)