My light shines on Arsenal

Chapter 127 An Uneasy Start
A total of 78 fans came to the Emirates Stadium today. The first game of the new season, the actions of Arsenal fans proved their enthusiasm.

Before the game, the prospect of Arsenal's first game was not optimistic.

Whether it is a large newspaper or a roadside tabloid, or a football commentator, they do not think that Arsenal can easily win the "black cat" Sunderland.

Even the odds offered by bookmakers make people feel suspicious of Arsenal.

The person responsible for commentating Arsenal games is Bill Leslie. This commentator is often active in football broadcasts in Scotland.

His partner was Gary Neville, who had just joined Sky Sports in the 2011-12 season.

Minutes before the game, Bill Lashley and Neville chatted.

"Gary, it seems that everyone is not optimistic about Arsenal's performance." He said, "Although Arsenal finished third last season, Sunderland was only able to avoid relegation."

"Sunderland is not a strong team, but the state shown by Arsenal is worrying." Gary Neville replied.

"They lost to Manchester City in the Community Shield. They also lost last season's leading shooter, main winger and main midfielder. At the same time, they experienced the only and most influential coaching change in the club in the past 16 years."

Neville paused, "Bill, this is a traumatic change. It's hard for us to believe that Arsenal can maintain a stable performance."

"Why can't we have a little confidence in them?" quipped Bill Leslie. "Maybe Arsenal can create a surprise."

"Bill, look." Gary Neville's voice was a little sarcastic, "Robin Van Persie, who scored 26 goals last season, has left, and his replacement is Olivier, who only landed in the Premier League at the age of [-]. ·Giroud."

"He's a good player, Gary."

"Yes, if you mean his looks and not his skills - even if you don't look at this, the vacancies in their wings and midfield are filled by 20-year-old youngsters. It's almost like a relegation team."

"We all know that Arsenal are under significant financial pressure, despite their frequent claims of strong cash flow."

"As you said, Bill...so I actually sympathize with Coach Chen Yao."

When Gary Neville commented, the live camera was aimed at Chen Yao who was standing on the sidelines.

"We have to cherish the time we see him on the bench," Neville said.

……

After Charlotte Blunt set up the camera equipment, she greeted the staff and quietly left the Arsenal dressing room.

At this time, they were sitting together in the stands, among a large group of excited Arsenal fans, watching the game quietly.

"Should we pretend to be Arsenal fans?" laughed a staff member. "I've always been a Liverpool fan."

"I prefer the Tampa Bay Buccaneers."

"Los Angeles Lakers."

"..."

Several staff members joked, but Charlotte did not participate in their conversation, but paid attention to the head coach on the sidelines.

She has heard from many places how incredible the appointment of this young coach is, and she has also heard that many people are not optimistic.

"If he hadn't led the team to reverse Milan, I really don't know why he was chosen."

"Man, even if he had this game, I don't know why he should be drafted."

Right next to Charlotte, there are fans complaining.

So, can he be the protagonist of this film?
Charlotte was a little curious. She moved her body to try to get a better view.

……

Sunderland's head coach Martin O'Neill is a serious Northern Irishman. O'Neill, a former professional player, is much bigger than Chen Yao.

When the players walked onto the court one by one, O'Neal did not forget to give a few more words.

He knew that Sunderland was an underdog, so even though everyone told himself before the game that Arsenal was no better than before, he still chose to treat it cautiously.

"Never underestimate a team that advocates offense in its blood." O'Neal said to his assistant coach Di Canio.

He glanced at the home team, where Chen Yao was also encouraging his players.

Chen Yao also noticed Martin O'Neill's gaze, and he returned a friendly smile without much hostility.

The smile was also captured on camera at the scene.

Bill Leslie laughed: "The young head coach doesn't seem to show hostility to the opponent, he is a polite person."

"But football is war, you can't be so humble." Gary Neville said, "For example, Wenger is a good man, but you also saw what happened after 2004."

O'Neal didn't know what Chen Yao told the players, but after 15 minutes of the game, he knew that his strategy was successful.

O'Neill played a traditional 4-4-2 formation, with a deep position, and the double midfielder was Livermore and Colback, two guys with rough skills but strong bodies and fierce tackles.

The double forwards are Sessegnon and Frazier, a classic counter-attack configuration.

The starting lineup arranged by Chen Yao is no different from the Community Shield. This will probably be the regular lineup next season.

Compared to the previous game, Arsenal had a much greater chance of gaining possession of the ball.

Sunderland did not entangle Arsenal in midfield at all. They retreated deep into their own half and gave possession to Arsenal.

But Chen Yao knew very well that this was not entirely a good thing.

The use of counterattacks to bring down the Premier League has always been a specialty of the middle and lower reaches of the Premier League.

——The only problem is that the current Arsenal may not be considered powerful in the eyes of many people.

In the first 15 minutes, Arsenal's ball possession data and passing data were fully dominant, but after advancing to the vicinity of Sunderland's penalty area, the team's offensive operation still appeared sluggish.

At the beginning of the game, Cazorla took the initiative to approach the right, and Giroud leaned on the Sunderland defenders. As a point of departure, they formed a right triangle with Walcott.

This is of course Chen Yao's design, he chose to give the players more detailed guidance on the details rather than letting them figure it out by themselves.

Now, he doesn't have many opportunities for trial and error.

The first attack was very imposing. Cazorla dribbled to the right rib, waded over Livermore who was following, and knocked Walcott with his right foot.

Walcott did not habitually go down, but chose to cut in diagonally, allowing Sunderland's full-backs to misjudge and make room.

Walcott brought into the penalty area and knocked on Giroud.

Giroud used his physical advantage to hold the Sunderland defender, turned around and poked the ball out again, right at the feet of Cazorla who circled an arc.

This pass and cut was very beautiful, and it was also a routine that Arsenal had practiced many times in the training ground. Chen Yao approached the sideline full of expectations.

Cazorla hesitated after touching the ball. As a new member of the team, he was more willing to send an assist.

But Giroud didn't have time to run into the open space after the ball, and Walcott was in a suspected offside position.

After that moment of hesitation, Cazorla lost his passing lane.

He could only shoot himself, and the ball was picked off by Sunderland goalkeeper Mignolet.

And this is Arsenal's best chance in the first 15 minutes.

Chen Yao sighed regretfully in his heart. He turned on the system and took a look. The light circles under the players' feet and the experience bars above their heads were still yellow.

They have not yet formed a natural enough tacit understanding. Any attack that has been practiced many times is an excellent opportunity to score. If you miss it, you will miss it.

In the following time, Arsenal could only circle around Sunderland's penalty area, occasionally taking a long shot.

Although their ball possession and shooting statistics are overall superior, Chen Yao smells a hint of uneasiness.

It is a worrying situation to be unable to attack for a long time.

Stoppage time at half time.

Chen Yao called out Arteta's name, and waved his hand to signal him to press on.

In the last attack before half-time, Arsenal, with one more player at the front of the penalty area, got a chance.

Arteta sent a long shot after receiving Cazorla's horizontal knock. His foot was very hard, but unfortunately the ball was too straight and did not pass through Mignolet's ten fingers.

Chen Yao was disappointed to hear the referee blow the halftime whistle.

　I really hope this one wins. . .

　　
　
(End of this chapter)