Team Spirit

Chapter 271 The Red and Green Feud of the Little Monster, Green Gun's Core Values
The concerns raised by various commentators soon became a reality.

In the 43rd minute, Dartford won another corner kick.

This time, Kompany's header went slightly high.

"If cutting inside to score is something that players like Ribery and Duff are good at, but it's not easy, then letting them go to the byline and cross, without worrying about the quality of the crosses, is too easy."

This is a purely mathematical problem.

There's only one opponent on the wing, so you don't need to worry about crossing; you can even deliberately kick the ball at the opponent, since you're aiming for a corner kick anyway.

When cutting inside, you need to consider at least two opponents, or even three or four. Even if there's only one person in front of you, you still need to mentally simulate the ensuing encirclement and attack.

This put Arsenal in a very passive position.

The only option is for the wingers to drop back and maintain a two-on-one defense against Dartford's wingers with the ball.

Midfielders should also drop back to avoid creating gaps in the key area at the edge of the penalty arc.

This completely eliminated their ability to harass Dartford's defense, and their defensive formation was reduced from three layers to two.

The drop in wingers also means a decline in Arsenal's counter-attacking ability.

In the 45th minute, Gilbert Silva intercepted Modric in midfield, but his teammates on both sides couldn't keep up.

Modric aggressively countered the attack.

Gilbert Silva could only pass forward to Henry.

Ashley Young, who was positioned next to Henry, had been planning this for a long time. As soon as the ball came out, Ashley Young rushed out and intercepted it before Henry could react.

Ashley Young began his advance while observing his teammates' runs ahead, and before Gilbert Silva could rush in to salvage the situation, he made a through pass.

You launched a counterattack.

Lu Kai made a forward run down the right flank, easily received the ball on the right side, and broke into the penalty area.

This is also a weakness of Arsenal's defensive positioning.

The future of Guardiola's defensive style will focus on immediate counter-pressing, without needing any defensive positioning, because once possession is regained, the opponent's counter-attack will naturally cease.

Arsenal's defensive positioning involves immediately returning to their defensive positions, during which they neither pay attention to nor can afford to look after opposing players around them.

Even though they were quite close, they didn't try to interfere with Lu Kai's awareness of getting the ball.

Because in the overall tactics, returning to position takes precedence over disrupting the opponent's possession of the ball.

Dartford's defensive tactics, on the other hand, are more advanced.

The attacking players are responsible for pressing the ball back immediately, while the defending players quickly get into position, ready to play both roles.

The attacking players successfully regain possession, and the defending players then move up to provide the necessary positions and manpower for the offense.

If an attacking player fails to win the ball back, he should follow it back to the backfield to participate in the defense.

The only drawback of this defensive system is that it places higher demands on the running of all players.

According to data provided by Guardiola, in many of Dartford's winning matches this season, the team's overall running distance was often 10,000 meters more than the opponent's.

It's like having one more of the opponent's fastest player.

boom!
Lu Kai delivered a cross from the right side of the penalty area, a cross resembling a curved shot.

Because there was no interference, his passing was of excellent quality and timing.

Duff was accurately located at the back point.

Ireland's Bottle Opener fired a left-footed shot, and the football went into the net.

"GOAL!"

"Three to one! It's Duff again, he's scored twice!"

"Lu Kai also completed his brace with an assist."

"Datford extended their lead in the final moments of the first half."

"The green gun storm seems to be more intense than the red gun storm."

"Can Arsenal find a way to break the deadlock at halftime? Let's wait and see!"

The first half is over.

Arsenal's coaching staff all looked worried.

Henry remained silent, in fact, he was not optimistic about Arsenal's generational change.

Although Wenger has had a long time to prepare for the transition, Red Gunners seem to be able to be replaced painlessly.

But what?

Can we rely on youth academy players to complete the generational transition?

Arsenal have not made any moves on good players available in the market for the past few years.

Arsenal did not make any offers for excellent and highly promising center-backs like Lescott and Curtis Davies.

If they're not even willing to spend this money, do they expect Arsenal to follow Chelsea's example next summer and throw out 200 million euros in transfer fees?

It's hopeless.

Arsenal's unbeaten run is about to expire, and being happy is the most important thing right now.

Henry's thoughts quickly translated into action on the pitch.

In the second half, in the 49th minute, Henry dribbled to the left, then beat Fabregas one-two, and broke into the depths of the penalty area.

Despite Van Persie making synchronized forward runs from a slightly deeper position in the middle, and being unmarked.

But Henry still chose to shoot himself, taking a low shot.

The shooting angle was too narrow, and the ball was blocked by Van der Sar's body.

Van Persie shrugged and spread his hands.

But Henry didn't care.

What's wrong with the King of Highbury being a bit unique?
Wenger noticed Henry's change from the sidelines; this change had actually been evident as early as last season.

Henry has become fearless; such a worker is uncontrollable, and one can only let him do as he pleases.

In the 55th minute, Lu Kai's long-range shot hit Kolo Toure, and Arsenal launched a counter-attack after regaining possession.

After Fabregas got the ball, Motta and Pepe didn't retreat but instead advanced, directly pressing him.

Their awareness was excellent; their move wasn't aimed at intercepting the ball, but rather at delaying it.

Fabregas eventually managed to escape the predicament and delivered a brilliant through ball.

Van Persie also gained space due to Pepe's absence, and accelerated his dribble to create a half-chance opportunity.

But before he could shoot, the whistle blew.

The linesman raises his flag.

Offside.

Motta and Pepe's tactical choices were very successful.

In the 61st minute, Ashley Young delivered a cross from the right at a 45-degree angle.

Lu Kai feinted.

Giroud heads the ball towards goal.

Almunia reacted quickly, pushing the ball out of bounds.

But this brings us to the corner kick stage.

Arsenal players felt a chill run down their spines.

I never felt this scared when defending corner kicks before, but today I really felt like my own goal was as vast as the ocean.

boom!
Modric takes the corner kick.

Giroud heads the ball towards goal.

The shot to the far post was well-placed, but it was affected by the defenders, making the ball weak and slow.

If he were a goalkeeper, he could easily catch the ball.

But there was no goalkeeper at the far post, only Clichy, so Clichy chose to twist his waist and flick his head to head the ball towards the edge of the penalty area.

The football flies towards the penalty spot.

Lu Kai reacted the fastest, shoving the defender next to him for leverage, rushing from the small penalty area towards the penalty spot, and then heading the ball to the left.

Ribery curled a left-footed shot from just inside the right side of the penalty area.

The football arced dramatically, soaring over all the players in the penalty area and nestling into the corner of the net.

Although Clichy was still in front of the goal, he was powerless against the ball overhead.

“GOAL!!!”

"Four to one!"

"Datford have really found Arsenal's weakness, scoring their second goal from a corner kick!"

"Ribery's shot was of very high quality."

"Oh! Lu Kai has completed a hat trick of assists!"

"He's like an invisible big shot who, without even making a move himself, manipulates his underlings to defeat his opponents."

"Yes, it's about beating them. Although there's still time in the game, I don't see any hope of winning against Arsenal."

Arsenal, from top to bottom, from the coach to the fans, were stunned by the bomb.

Wenger even forgot to make a substitution.

Arsenal didn't make a substitution until the 67th minute, when Ribery was brought down by Clichy during a breakthrough.

Clichy received a yellow card for his foul.

Baptista, acquired from Real Madrid, is described as someone who "started as a defensive midfielder, became a legend as an attacking midfielder, but insists on playing as a center forward," replacing Gilbert Silva. He will play the defensive midfield position, which Silva dislikes the most.

However, considering his attacking attributes, it wouldn't be unreasonable to consider him as an attacking midfielder.

It is generally believed that Baptista's attacking midfield style is similar to Lu Kai's, with versatility outweighing technical skill.

Of course, Baptista is stronger in physical confrontations.

Arsenal also made a change at right winger, replacing Hleb with Rosicky.

Dartford also took this opportunity to make a substitution.

Aubameyang replaced Duff.

Mandzukic replaced Giroud.

The intention to train troops is very clear.

This substitution has infuriated Arsenal fans.

How can a team ranked third in the Premier League be so humiliated?

In the 74th minute, Arsenal displayed their prowess, launching a massive attack on Green Gunners.

Since it's already been exposed, there's no point in looking back any further.

Rosicky was matched up against Pepe, who played aggressively and pressed forward to intercept the ball.

Rosicky turned and dribbled back, passing the ball to Baptista, then moved to the wing.

Pepe stayed in the core defensive zone.

Baptista seized the opportunity to pass the ball diagonally to Rosicky.

Rosicky made a slight adjustment and delivered a cross.

However, Pepe's movement speed is excellent, and the reason he dares to leave a certain distance is because he can reach the side lane at any time.

boom!
The football hit Pepe and bounced to the side.

Flamini volleyed the ball into the air.

when!
The football passed through Van der Sar's fingers, but hit the post and bounced out.

As a future CEO of a biochemical company and a successful businessman with a personal net worth exceeding 200 million euros, Flamini is one of the few football stars who have made a better life after leaving football.

There were rumors that he was worth billions of euros, but later media outlets clarified that it was just a description of the total output value of the industry in which his company operates.

Near the penalty spot, Henry and Baptista came up to contest the header, but Vidic headed it out of the penalty area.

Wenger thought for a moment and used his last substitution.

Adebayor replaced Van Persie.

Before going on the field, the big black guy glared at Gareth Southgate on the Green Guns coaching bench.

Because he actually talked to Green Gunner about the transfer issue this summer.

If it weren't for Southgate's interference, Adebayo might already be wearing the Celtics jersey and being the starting center in the Celtics' second era!

After the meeting, Southgate abandoned the relationship and gave up on further contact.

Adebayor then accepted the olive branch offered by Arsenal.

Arsenal fans were overjoyed.

Years ago, Reds wanted to sign a player named Adebayor, but the player chose the unknown amateur team Dartford – Adebayor Akinfenwa.

With the success of Green One, Akinfenwa was considered to have "made the right choice," and he himself said, "It was God's guidance."

It gives people the feeling that only the green gun represents the true Christian orthodoxy.

In the West, where religion governs the people, this would be considered a conflict akin to patricide and wife-stealing.

And now, the new Adebayor has made the right choice.

The benevolent father has finally turned his attention back to Arsenal.

The green gun is dead, the red gun shall rise!
But Arsenal fans are unaware that Adebayor, whom they consider "the chosen one of Jesus," will inflict deep emotional wounds on them in the future.

Arsenal has a traitor.

Adebayor is among them, even surpassing Van Gaal and Fabregas.

Of course, at this stage, he is still a 1.92-meter-tall "little monster" who transferred to Arsenal this summer for a reasonable price of five million pounds.

Green Gunners can actually afford this price, and considering Adebayor's ability and potential, if Lu Kai brings him in, he can completely package him into the next Drogba.

The transaction price starts at 50 million euros.

But Lu Kai ultimately rejected the deal.

Although Adebayor is arguably even stronger than Giroud and Dzeko, and is faster and more impactful.

But this Nigerian supernova has too many vampires on him.

Two years ago, when he was still playing for Metz in Ligue 1, his family, led by his older brother, started asking him for money.

In the interview, he mentioned that one night he woke up in a fright to find two sharp blades pressed against his throat, and the wielders were none other than his two older brothers.

He himself has also engaged in self-harm and suicidal behavior.

These things caused Adebayor immense psychological harm and shaped and changed his values.

He frequently clashed with the club over demanding high salaries, and his relatives went even further, not only demanding money but also colluding with the media to expose more negative news.

In such a family relationship, whoever encounters it will die.

A person is rushing upwards from hell, but thousands of hands are pulling them back; returning to hell is only a matter of time.

This problem is very typical among football players.

But human will can overcome fate. If Adebayo's personality, cognition, ability, and wisdom reach a certain level, he can break the deadlock.

So Lu Kai asked Southgate to invite him to Green Gun for a chat.

Lu Kai watched the conversation from next door and had Southgate ask some questions.

Through their conversation, Lu Kai determined that Adebayor's ideology had been poisoned beyond redemption.

Lu Kai then gave up on recruiting players.

Southgate, Guardiola, Zidane, and others found Lu Kai's choice difficult to understand at the time.

Especially after Lu Kai stated that he could train Adebayor to become the next real Drogba.

On the sidelines, Guardiola still remembered Lu Kai's explanation: "Football is a team sport, and the team is the foundation of everything, especially for small clubs."

"Building a scientific framework with its own characteristics is the team's core goal and core interest."

"With a good platform, players with the potential to shine can soar to great heights. Even without players with the potential to shine, a team can maintain its status as a strong contender and patiently wait for the right moment."

"Of course I don't need to wait; I can tell who the really good players are. So team stability is even more important for us."

“And a player like Adebayor can tear a team apart.”

"Externally, we must prevent the infiltration of harmful ideologies. Internally, we must regularly review relationships to ensure internal harmony and fairness. Only by adhering to Dartford's core values ​​can we achieve sustainable development for Green Guns."

Zidane added, "This is a valuable lesson from governing a country with the world's most advanced civilization for three thousand years. Even if they briefly decline, they will soon return to the right track of history and stand at the top of the world."

Southgate asked cautiously, "You can't say that, we're actually quite anti-China here..."

Zidane smiled slightly: "Of course I was just talking about Green Gun!"

Guardiola saw through it but didn't say anything. In fact, the three of them had all purchased a batch of Chinese books through Chen Tao some time ago.

Guardiola bought the "Zizhi Tongjian" (Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government).

Zidane bought the Book of Changes.

Southgate bought "Irene".

boom!
A powerful shot came flying in.

Before the assistant coaches could react, they saw Aubameyang rush towards the corner flag area.

"This is……"

The video is being replayed on the big screen.

The two teams battled fiercely in midfield, and Motta eventually kicked the ball forward.

Ribery dribbled the ball for two steps and then passed it diagonally to the right.

Ashley Young continued his run and, near the penalty area, delivered a curved cross that found Aubameyang, who was making a run on the far left, directly from the right.

The latter is extremely fast, and once he receives the ball, he's in a one-on-one situation.

And they decisively opened the door, showing the fearlessness of youth.

"Five to one! This is a brutal massacre!"

"Even the young Aubameyang, who just came on, scored a goal."

"The assist was provided by Ashley Young. The two names are quite interesting. It is said that Ashley Young even made things difficult for Aubameyang because of this."

"But now they seem to have a good relationship, and domestic fans even call them the 'Mei Yangyang' duo!"

However, the camera quickly focused on Motta.

He appears to be injured.

Green Gunners quickly had the team doctor examine him, and then Henderson replaced him.

Fortunately, it's a minor strain, which is normal for Motta, and he'll be able to return to play soon.

For a period of time afterward, neither side took any action.

Adebayor was active, but aside from receiving a yellow card for a foul, he made no real contribution.

When the referee blew the final whistle, only one-third of the spectators remained at the Emirates Stadium.

(End of this chapter)