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

After a period of intense preparation, Arsenal's players finally faced the test of preseason friendlies.

Nagelsmann carefully selected three opponents with very different styles.

Lazio in Serie A, Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, and Lyon in Ligue 1 are all there to hone their teams in all aspects, expose their problems, and find common ground.

The first match against Lazio was held at the Emirates Stadium.

The stands were packed, with Arsenal fans eager to catch a glimpse of the new manager and new signings.

Nagelsmann fielded a lineup that combined starters and rotation players.

The most eye-catching new face is undoubtedly Theo Hernandez, who will start at left-back.

From the start of the match, Theo displayed his amazing explosiveness and offensive desire.

His left flank was like a powerful propulsion system, with him making several high-speed runs and overlapping runs, using his speed to outpace the opposing defenders, and his crosses were also quite threatening.

In the 35th minute, Theo received the ball on the left wing, used a change of pace to suddenly cut inside, created space, and unleashed a powerful shot that slammed into the crossbar, giving the Lazio goalkeeper a scare.

His energy added a new dimension to Arsenal's attack, and the team ultimately won easily 3-1.

However, Nagelsmann was standing next to the coach's bench.

There was joy, and there was reflection.

While recognizing Theo's strengths, he also keenly identified the problems.

Theo's offensive strength and defensive weakness are very obvious.

During the match, Lazio launched a quick counter-attack, taking advantage of the huge gap left by Theo's forward run, which almost resulted in a goal being conceded.

Furthermore, Theo's defensive positioning and one-on-one consistency need improvement; some of his tackles appeared somewhat reckless.

If you look at it in a closer look...

Theo's crosses and final touches were inconsistent in terms of technical precision, sometimes displaying brilliance and sometimes appearing too hasty.

"See that? Theo?" Nagelsmann analyzed the game for Theo and the whole team in the locker room after the match, using a tactical tablet.

"Your impact is a valuable asset to us, but you need to learn to better balance the timing of offense and defense. When defending, positional awareness is even more important, so don't easily lose your position."

Technically, we need to improve the consistency of your crossing and the rationality of your decision-making. Starting tomorrow, your personal training will include defensive positioning simulations and crossing accuracy drills.

His comments were incisive, affirming both the strengths and pointing out the crux of the matter.

"I understand, boss. I'll practice hard."

Theo nodded seriously. He understood that to establish himself in a top club, he had to make up for his weaknesses.

If the match against Lazio was a test of skill, then the away game against Hoffenheim in Germany was a test of technique.

It was a journey filled with warmth and memories.

This is Yan Yuan and Nagelsmann's "hometown".

As the Arsenal team bus approached the familiar Prisero Stadium, Yan Yuan and Nagelsmann were filled with complex emotions.

This is where they created miracles together.

That summer of the 2017-2018 season.

The young Nagelsmann led the even younger Yan Yuan to win Hoffenheim their first-ever Bundesliga title.

Hoffenheim fans will never forget this history.

Nagelsmann and Yan Yuan, teacher and student, are legends of Hoffenheim.

Even now, Yan Yuan's old number 17 jersey remains unused.

One reason is that Hoffenheim fans don't approve of this number being used so casually, and another is that it's really hard for Hoffenheim to find a player as outstanding as Yan Yuan.

So the number 17 jersey has been kept in reserve ever since.

On the night of the match, the stadium, which can accommodate more than 30,000 people, was packed to capacity, and the atmosphere was far more enthusiastic than that of an ordinary friendly match.

In the stands, fans wearing Hoffenheim's blue jerseys could be seen everywhere.

What's touching is that among them were a large number of fans wearing Hoffenheim's old number 17 jerseys.

It's the same model from the 2017-2018 season.

There were also many people holding up signs that read "Welcome Back Yan & Nagelsmann!"

Fans with a sign that read "Danke für Alles!" (Thank you for everything!)

Whether it was Na Shuai or Yan Yuan, both of them felt right at home when they came here.

When the stadium announcer read out the names "Arsenal manager Julian Nagelsmann" and "Arsenal captain Yan Yuan".

The entire audience erupted in thunderous, sustained applause and cheers!

This applause is the highest tribute and the warmest welcome to the legendary master and his apprentice.

Many veteran fans had tears in their eyes. They looked at the more mature and confident young manager on the sidelines and the number 7 on the field who had become Arsenal's star player. Time seemed to have turned back, returning to that passionate season.

Nagelsmann stood on the sidelines, waving to the stands in all directions with a wistful smile on his face.

As the team captain, Yan Yuan's gaze slowly swept across the familiar stands during the team anthem, his eyes filled with gratitude and nostalgia.

He saw the huge banner with a photo of him and Nagelsmann embracing in celebration after winning the championship years ago.

The fans are very dedicated.

The competition took place in a peculiar atmosphere that was both intense and friendly.

Hoffenheim's new players were clearly eager to prove themselves in front of their former coach and legendary players, and they were very aggressive in their tackling.

On the Arsenal side, Yan Yuan was even more eager to perform.

In the 28th minute, he received a pass from Rodri in midfield, turned and got rid of one player, and then, facing his former club's defense, used his signature "tail spin" to get past his former teammate Kramaric, broke into the penalty area and scored with a low left-footed shot!

Yan Yuan did not celebrate excessively after scoring the goal.

He simply smiled, opened his arms, and looked towards the stands.

He was met with even more enthusiastic applause and cheers from the stands, with many home fans cheering for him.

Such a scene is extremely rare in the world of football.

This demonstrates the irreplaceable status of Yan Yuan and Nagelsmann in the hearts of this city and this club.

Arsenal ultimately won 2-1.

But the result of the match is no longer important.

When the final whistle blew, the most touching scene unfolded.

Yan Yuan did not return to the locker room immediately.

He walked slowly to the sidelines alone and began to jog along the track.

He no longer sprinted, but ran around the track at a pace that was almost like a cruise.

Yan Yuan ran past the home team's stands, where the loudest shouts erupted.

He ran through the die-hard fan section, where people were waving scarves and signs wildly;

He ran past the corner where he had thanked the audience countless times, where children stretched out their little hands, and he ran over to give them a gentle high five.

"Yan!!! Look here!!!"

"Number 17!!! Our legendary Number 17 is back!!!"

"Yan, this will always be your home!!!"

Amid the cheers of the fans.

Yan Yuan's gaze met countless excited eyes in the stands.

He kept waving, sometimes putting his hands together in gratitude, and sometimes placing his hand on his left chest, indicating that Hoffenheim would always have a place in his heart.

At this moment, he was no longer the superstar with a net worth of hundreds of millions and numerous honors.

It's more like a prodigal son returning home after many years, expressing his deepest respect to the land and people who accepted and nurtured him in the simplest way.

The commentator also mentioned this.

"It has to be said that such a scene is truly moving. Yes, Yan Yuan will always be a legend of Hoffenheim. Whether now or in the future, the fans here will always remember him, remember the number 17 who fought for them back then."

Nagelsmann watched quietly from the sidelines, his eyes filled with satisfaction and pride.

The final friendly match against Lyon was moved to France.

Nagelsmann has begun practicing a lineup that is closer to the starting lineup for the new season.

The focus of their investigation is on the new midfield duo of Rice and Rodri, as well as the new center-back Upamecano.

The course of this match was delightful.

Rice and Rodri complement each other well in midfield.

Rice was responsible for sweeping and intercepting, covering a wide area and quickly passing the ball to Rodri after intercepting it; while Rodri, with his excellent technique and vision, was responsible for organizing the transition between offense and defense and orchestrating long passes.

The two had already developed a tacit understanding and effectively controlled the pace of the halftime game.

"Julian, Declan and Rodri," the assistant coach whispered to Nagelsmann, "with the two of them together, I feel that our midfield has greater strength and technical elements."

Nagelsmann nodded in satisfaction.

"That's right. Rice and Rodri are both players with high football IQ. More importantly, their connection with Yan on the right wing is what I want to see the most."

As Nash said.

Yan Yuan often drops back to the right flank of midfield to receive passes, forming a triangular passing pattern with Rice and Rodri, easily breaking through Lyon's pressing, and then suddenly makes a forward run to create a killing opportunity.

This prototype of the "right-wing attack group" shows great potential.

Upamecano's performance in defense was also quite solid.

His strong physique, excellent recovery speed, and calm defensive positioning repeatedly thwarted Lyon's attackers.

His central defensive partnership with Pepe, one experienced and one young, combines experience and energy, making them a reliable pair.

In the 65th minute, the most exciting scene unfolded.

Yan Yuan received Rodri's pass at the right edge of the penalty area. He was blocked by a defender, and his left-footed shot was not at an ideal angle.

With almost no adjustment, he firmly planted his foot and quickly pulled out the outside of his right foot, kicking the ball on the lower outside!

The ball drew a strange and beautiful outward-spinning arc, bypassing the defenders and seemingly flying towards the far corner, but in the air it clearly spun inwards and went straight into the top left corner of the goal!

The Lyon goalkeeper was powerless to reach him.

"Goooooooooooal!!! Unbelievable goal! Yan Yuan scored with the outside of his right foot! That's a world-class goal!" the commentator exclaimed.

That's right, it was a shot with the outside of the right foot.

This shot was not Yan Yuan's usual shot; it was also a reaction on the spot.

"When did he learn this move?!" Aubameyang's eyes widened.

"My God, I really need to ask the captain for advice!" Odegaard exclaimed in surprise.

This goal completely ignited the team's morale.

Arsenal ultimately defeated Lyon 3-0, achieving a perfect record in preseason friendlies and getting off to a good start to the new season.

……

It was late at night when I got back to my home in London.

But Yan Yuan did not rest. His excitement and desire for new technologies drove him to the small, high-standard training ground in the backyard of his villa.

The lights illuminated the lawn as if it were daytime.

That spectacular goal, scored with the outside of his right foot, was, as he knew, somewhat accidental.

Yan Yuan was eager to use this unconventional shooting method.

To become a stable and deadly weapon in one's arsenal.

He stood in a similar position outside the penalty area, repeatedly attempting to shoot with the outside of his right foot.

Initially, the results were not ideal; the ball either lacked spin and flew directly out of bounds, or its trajectory was flat and easily caught by the goalkeeper as expected.

This was far from enough for him, a perfectionist.

"Right foot outside instep... let me think..." Yan Yuan was thinking about the right foot outside instep masters in the football world.

Modric is one of them; fans often jokingly call him the "mother of the outside of the right foot".

So, who is the father of the right foot's outer instep?

A name appeared in Yan Yuan's mind.

Portuguese international, Quaresma.

"System." Yan Yuan summoned the system in his mind.

[Recommended Legendary Skill for Exchange: 'Ricardo Quaresma's Golden Outside of the Foot' (Master Level). Requires 8300 points. S+ shooting skill, 89% compatibility]

"Exchange it." Yan Yuan said without hesitation.

In an instant, a massive flow of information—muscle memory of outside-of-the-foot technique, power generation skills, choice of contact point, and control of different spins and arcs—rushed into his mind and body.

He stood in front of the ball again.

His gaze became incredibly focused.

Take a running start, plant your supporting foot firmly, and swing your right leg!

This time, he used a unique angle and a sudden tremor of his ankle when he exerted force.

At the same time, use the outside of your foot, near your ankle, to precisely rub the lower outer part of the ball.

"Whoosh—!"

The ball left the ground with a strong outward spin, drawing an even more exaggerated and bizarre arc than before, with a clear and unconventional "turn" in the air.

It flew straight into the top corner of the goal!

The arc of that shot was very similar to the one he took against Lyon, but it was clearly of higher quality.

A look of surprise flashed in Yan Yuan's eyes.

He practiced repeatedly, constantly adjusting the force and point of contact, trying different angles from outside the penalty area.

Gradually, he gained more and more control over this type of shot, and his success rate steadily increased from about 30% initially to nearly 60%.

This is already a terrifying statistic that can be relied upon in actual combat.

The sound of the soccer ball "thumping" came from the backyard.

Lin Jianwei, still in her pajamas and rubbing her sleepy eyes, came out to find him.

"Goodness, it's already past eight o'clock, aren't you going to wash up yet?"

Yan Yuan stopped what he was doing, wiped his sweat, and walked towards her as he spoke.

"Coming, Weiwei, I'm almost here. I was practicing so much I almost forgot the time."

Yan Yuan put the ball down and walked over.

Lin Jianwei looked at his childlike excitement and gently wiped his sweat.

"Look how tired you are, you're so sweaty. I need to help you take a bath."

"So, will we be in the bathroom later?"

"The living room is also fine..."

"Where's the kitchen?"

"The kitchen won't do; I still need to make you breakfast tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll listen to Mommy."