After Paris Saint-Germain was removed from the list, I led England to victory!

A new round of matches.

The North London derby: Arsenal host Tottenham.

4-0, a resounding and exhilarating victory.

Adding to that the previous 5-0 away win.

With a total score of 9-0 across the two matches, Arsenal have utterly humiliated their arch-rivals Tottenham.

Yan Yuan scored two goals, a stunning long-range shot and a calm and composed penalty kick, once again becoming the focus of the entire match and adding a new footnote to his already dazzling statistics.

The final moments of the second half of this game.

Son Heung-min was almost crippled by Pepe, Cancelo, and Yan Yuan working together.

The incident occurred during the first half of the match, when Son Heung-min made his first tackle on Yan Yuan and then uttered some harsh words to him.

He talked a lot about revenge, and also said that Chinese people can't play football at all.

And Yan Yuan's two Portuguese teammates, one an old thug and the other a barbarian, and so on.

Yan Yuan smiled at the time and didn't say anything, thinking that he would teach him a lesson later.

Cancelo happened to be next to Yan Yuan at the time, helping with the argument.

Upon hearing this, Cancelo couldn't hold back any longer; he had long disliked the Koreans.

Cancelo has the kind of personality that means he'll settle a score on the spot; he's a bit like Pepe in his younger days.

Thankfully, Yan Yuan and Pei Pei hugged Cancelo together and calmed him down, otherwise he would have become a huge star.

Son Heung-min offended three people he should never have offended.

During halftime, the three of them quietly discussed something.

In the second half, Yan Yuan, Pepe, and Cancelo paid extra attention to Son Heung-min.

When Yan Yuan and Son Heung-min were running and tackling the ball at high speed on the wing, Yan Yuan was on the inside and Son Heung-min was on the outside. Yan Yuan increased his speed to the maximum and Son Heung-min continued to keep up.

Then Yan Yuan lured Son Heung-min into close proximity.

Then, he quietly gathered his strength and delivered a full-force impact with the side of his shoulder.

Yan Yuan never missed a day of practicing Tai Chi.

His strike contained the internal energy of a Tai Chi master; the movement looked small, but its power was considerable.

Son Heung-min, who was running at high speed, was hit directly by the GG sign. Due to the great force of the impact, it took him a while to recover, and Yan Yuan received a warning from the referee.

Pepe blocked Son Heung-min's inside cut, like a tiger descending a mountain, without holding back, and crashed solidly into Son Heung-min, who was changing direction and had lost his balance.

At the moment of impact, Pepe's arm made a clear outward expansion motion, and his elbow landed on Son Heung-min's chest and shoulder.

Son Heung-min staggered from the impact, kneeling on the ground coughing. Due to a conditioned reflex, tears streamed down his face, and the impact caused him to choke.

Pepe received a yellow card.

Cancelo did it too, and he also received a yellow card.

After the victory, Arsenal's players didn't even have time to fully bask in the joy of this derby win. A more severe and grander challenge was already hanging over their heads like the Sword of Damocles.

Time quietly slipped into March.

The draw for the quarterfinals of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League was held as scheduled at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

This is not just a ceremony to decide who will win, but more like a meticulously choreographed grand drama that captivates the hearts of hundreds of millions of fans worldwide.

The atmosphere in the tactical analysis room at the Kearney training facility was heavy and focused.

The lottery ceremony was being broadcast live on a huge projection screen.

Wenger sat in the center of the front row, arms crossed, his gaze behind his glasses deep and calm.

Behind him were Arsenal players: Yan Yuan, Aubameyang, Ramsey, Rodri, Saka, Odegaard, Hakimi, Cancelo, Pepe, Monreal, Martin...

Everyone was dressed in neat training uniforms, sitting or standing, their eyes fixed on the screen.

Director Sanllehi is representing Arsenal in the draw.

Everyone was very nervous.

Reaching the Champions League quarterfinals is a milestone they achieved after a hard-fought season, overcoming numerous obstacles. Every step from here on will lead to the pinnacle of European football, but it also means even more brutal tests.

On the screen, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino and special guests are conducting the draw.

Familiar and powerful names were placed in a transparent glass bowl: Barcelona, ​​Juventus, Manchester City, Liverpool, Ajax, Porto, Tottenham, and Arsenal.

"Guys," Ramsey whispered to his teammates, "this draw, apart from Tottenham and Porto, feels like it's going to be tough against any of them."

"Yes, Ajax just upset Real Madrid and are riding high," Rodri chimed in.

"And then there's Liverpool and Manchester City... an all-English Premier League clash, just thinking about it gives me a headache." Aubameyang shrugged.

Achraf rubbed his hands nervously: "I hope we don't draw Barcelona..."

Yan Yuan sat quietly in the front row, near the edge, his face expressionless, his eyes focused intently on the screen.

He is no longer the same person he was when he first entered the Bundesliga.

Having honed his skills for most of the Premier League season, he has developed a more composed and calm mindset.

However, deep in Yan Yuan's heart, that name that almost defined the pinnacle of modern football art still made him feel a kind of fateful tremor.

The drawing of lots begins.

Porto was the first to be drawn.

Then, Infantino announced their opponents: "...Porto's opponent is Liverpool!"

A soft exhalation sounded in the tactical room.

They avoided a strong Premier League rival.

Juventus were then drawn against Ajax! The young Dutch team will challenge the Old Lady, who boast Cristiano Ronaldo.

Next, Manchester City was drawn against... Tottenham Hotspur.

"Barcelona's opponent is..." Infantino paused deliberately, then clearly pronounced the name: "Arsenal!"

"Hiss!!!!" A collective gasp of cold air instantly filled the tactical room!

"Fuck!"

Aubameyang muttered a curse under his breath, then suddenly covered his forehead.

Ramsey and Rodri exchanged a complicated look.

Young players like Saka and Odegaard stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief and immense pressure.

Veterans Pepe and Monreal also had their brows furrowed.

Barcelona!

This is a team that represents the pinnacle of artistic football in European football over the past decade and boasts the legendary Lionel Messi.

This is a super powerhouse that has demonstrated terrifying dominance in both the group stage and the round of 16.

And the dream team with its intimidating Camp Nou stadium and countless glorious histories.

"Oh my God..." someone exclaimed in a low voice.

Wenger leaned forward slightly, and his gaze behind his glasses instantly sharpened.

He pursed his lips, his face showing no surprise, but rather as if it confirmed some kind of expectation.

Such good fortune is no accident!

In the tactics room, and even in the minds of Arsenal fans around the world, the same thought flashed through their minds in an instant:

[UEFA did this on purpose!]

Take a look at this seating arrangement.

In the round of 16, Arsenal "coincidentally" drew Paris Saint-Germain, who boast two superstars, Mbappe and Neymar.

Then the two teams put on a grand show of "supernova showdown", which garnered a lot of global attention.

Yan Yuan's direct dialogue with Mbappe became the focus of global media frenzy.

And now, in the quarterfinals, they have "coincidentally" drawn Barcelona, ​​who have Messi.

Even a blind man could see that this was deliberately arranged by UEFA.

"New King" Yan Yuan challenges "Old King" Messi!

What could ignite the passion of football fans worldwide more than this?

What could generate more buzz and viewership than this?

What could better satisfy the commercial football era's ultimate pursuit of "storytelling" and "superstar clashes"?

This draw was full of blatant commercial calculations and topic manipulation; UEFA played a clever trick with the draw.

UEFA knows exactly what the fans want to see, just like they know the worms in the fans' stomachs.

They want to see the rise of new stars, the continuation of legends, and even more so, the clash between the old and the new!

Yan Yuan, the 18-year-old prodigy who burst onto the scene and scored goals at an astonishing pace, faces off against Messi, the reigning king of football who has dominated the sport for over a decade and is a candidate for the title of "King of Football" with numerous accolades.

This is a natural and irresistible traffic extravaganza!

"UEFA is really... shrewd." Wenger's deep voice broke the silence in the tactics room, carrying a hint of barely perceptible sarcasm.

He's been a coach for decades; he knows the rules of the game all too well.

Yan Yuan's pupils contracted slightly the moment he heard the name "Arsenal".

Surprised? Of course.

Barcelona's strength is beyond doubt.

But soon, that surprise was replaced by a stronger emotion: a burning fighting spirit.

His heart was pounding powerfully in his chest, not from fear, but from excitement.

Challenging Messi at Camp Nou?

And on the stage of the Champions League quarterfinals?

This was exactly the scene he had dreamed of. His eyes did not flinch; instead, they shone with an astonishing brightness, as if flames were leaping within them.

The atmosphere in the tactical room remained somewhat oppressive and heavy.

The pressure from the name Barcelona is very real.

Moreover, Messi's form this season has been astonishing, with success in both the league and the Champions League, scoring goals and providing assists.

Barcelona's overall passing and possession system remains highly refined. Although Xavi and Iniesta are no longer at their peak, the midfield control built by Busquets, Rakitic, Arthur, and others is still terrifying.

The defense, consisting of Pique, Alba, Lenglet, and Roberto, is also highly experienced.

This is an opponent with almost no obvious weaknesses.

Wenger slowly stood up, turned around, and faced his disciples with their varied expressions.

His gaze was calm and firm as it swept across every young or mature face.

"Lads," his voice was steady and powerful, carrying a comforting strength, "the draw results are in. Barcelona, ​​a great opponent, a club we all respect immensely."

He paused, then continued.

"I know what you're thinking. Messi? Yes, he's one of the best players on the planet, maybe the best. Barcelona's system? Yes, they play beautiful football and have excellent control."

"But!" Wenger's voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable determination, "So what?! Who are we? We are Arsenal! We've come this far, winning every group stage match, defeating Paris Saint-Germain. What did we rely on? Strength! Belief! Teamwork! The never-give-up Gunners spirit!"

His gaze swept over Yan Yuan, Aubameyang, Ramsey, Rodri, and others again.

"We possess speed, we possess explosiveness, we possess game-deciding geniuses like Yan Yuan! We possess tenacious defense, we possess fluid teamwork! We possess the entire Emirates Stadium as our backing!"

"Barcelona is strong, that's true. But nothing is predetermined in football! Remember how we won at the Parc des Princes? Remember how we crushed Paris at home? We relied not on fear, but on fighting! On courage! On believing in ourselves!"

Wenger walked to the tactics board and tapped it hard.

"Now, put aside all your doubts and anxieties! Focus your attention on the training ground! Focus on the tactics board! Focus on the specific plan to defeat Barcelona!"

What is our goal? The Champions League title! Barcelona? It's just a mountain we must climb on our path to the championship! Nothing more!

"Train hard! Stay focused! Stay hungry! Remember, the Gunners have nothing to fear!" Wenger's voice was firm and infectious.

The players' solemnity and unease gradually dissipated, replaced by ignited fighting spirit and determined eyes.

Aubameyang nodded vigorously, Ramsey clenched his fists, and Saka and Odegaard straightened their backs.

Yan Yuan's eyes brightened even more. He pursed his lips tightly, his mind focused on only one thought:

Defeat Barcelona.

……

This incredible lottery result was like a nuclear bomb dropped into a calm lake, instantly igniting an unprecedented media storm worldwide.

"Epic showdown! Champions League quarter-finals: Arsenal vs. Barcelona! Yan Yuan vs. Messi! New king challenges old god!" This was the headline on the front page of Sky Sports, accompanied by a comparison photo of Yan Yuan celebrating a goal and Messi controlling the ball.

"UEFA's incredible script! The highest-grossing match of the season is born! The world is eagerly anticipating this game, with an 18-year-old superstar facing off against a football legend!" This is the headline of the Daily Mail, full of commercial interpretation.

"Wenger faces Barcelona again! Are you watching this match, Arsenal's traitor Cesc Fàbregas, who transferred to Barcelona for free?" The Times mentioned Arsenal's famous traitor Cesc Fàbregas.

"Messi's touchstone? Yan Yuan's ascension to godhood? A pinnacle dialogue that will determine the future!" Marca's headline is full of anticipation from a Spanish perspective.

"Arsenal, tremble! Messi will show you what a true football legend is!" The Catalan media outlet Mundo Deportivo exclaimed with confidence.

Social media was also abuzz.

"#YanYuanVSMessi" instantly topped the global trending search list!

"UEFA really knows what I want to see! This draw is absolutely brilliant! It's going to generate tons of buzz!"

"Can Yan Shen do his part and give Barcelona a sound thrashing, which would also be a way to avenge Arsenal and the Professor?"

Messi: I heard there's a kid who's become quite popular lately?

"I hope Yan Shen plays well. I'm an Arsenal fan. I was really angry at Fabregas back then. He was given a Barcelona jersey and they even paid him to transfer."

"Can Arsenal win? It seems unlikely..."

Fans around the world have been divided into two distinct camps, arguing endlessly, and their expectations have been pushed to the limit.

This match has long transcended a simple victory or defeat; it has become a symbolic battle about the changing of the times, the passing of the torch from generation to generation, and the collision of football artistry and ultimate efficiency.

The direct impact of this globally watched match

It was the skyrocketing sales of the two main characters' jerseys.

London, Emirates Stadium official store.

Arsenal home jerseys printed with "YAN YUAN 7" sold out instantly!

The shop assistants were extremely busy, with the phone ringing non-stop to request restocking.

Scarves, hats, and other merchandise printed with Yan Yuan's name and number are also selling like hotcakes.

According to insiders, within 24 hours of the draw results being announced, sales of Yan Yuan's jerseys surged by an astonishing 300%.

Many fans stated, "I bought this jersey to witness history!"

Shops around Camp Nou, Barcelona.

Barcelona jerseys printed with "MESSI 10" also saw a sales frenzy.

Not only in Barcelona, ​​but also at official FC Barcelona stores and authorized dealers around the world, sales have increased significantly.

Messi's jerseys are always best-sellers, but the hype surrounding this match has undoubtedly given them a new boost.

Many neutral fans even said, "Buy a Messi jersey to keep; this match this year is definitely worth commemorating."

This clash, "carefully" arranged by UEFA, has already achieved tremendous success in terms of commercial value and global influence even before it has begun.

And at the eye of the storm was the 18-year-old boy in the red and white jersey.

Standing on the grass at the Kearney training ground, facing the still chilly wind of early March, he began another round of high-intensity training.

His gaze had already crossed the English Channel and landed on the stadium that would soon decide his fate.

Camp Nou.