My light shines on Arsenal

Chapter 200 The green hills are far away
April 28, Old Trafford.

Seventy-five thousand fans turned the "Dream Theater" into a sea of ​​scarlet. Most of them were local Manchester fans, roaring unscrupulously with the roughness and toughness contained in this industrial city.

Some fans also came from London. When Arsenal players stepped onto the court, these fans from afar tried their best to cheer and shout for their home team, although these encouraging voices were quickly drowned out by the noise of Manchester United fans.

"Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping to end his illustrious managerial career with Manchester United's 20th league title. The game against Arsenal will decide a lot, and Manchester United have few strong opponents in the remaining schedule... …”

The voice of Sky Sports gold medal commentator Martin Taylor was heard in every bar through the TV, and the curses of Arsenal fans were heard in many bars in London.

"Let *** Manchester United die! There is no way they can win the championship by stepping on us!"

The commentator who partnered with Martin Taylor was Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The 40-year-old retired Dutch forward took over the conversation when Martin Taylor finished his words.

"This is certainly not the strongest Manchester United that Sir Alex Ferguson has ever had. Their lineup has many flaws. Manchester United can be ranked first in the league this season. In addition to the ups and downs of other competitors, it is also thanks to Robin van Persie. performance.”

"That's right, Jimmy. This striker has scored 22 goals for Manchester United. Without Robin, Manchester United may have fallen out of the championship team."

"Manchester United did not get enough points away from Manchester City. There are still five rounds of the league and anything can happen. Although Manchester City's performance this season is a mess, Sir Alex Ferguson has not found a way to fully integrate his attackers. The solution is that both sides have to pray and don’t lose the chain in the last few rounds..."

……

Chen Yao stepped on the turf under his feet and took a deep breath.

The spring breeze in Manchester had the unique coldness and roughness of an industrial city. It was almost May, but he still seemed to be able to identify the smell of chimneys, cold winter and furnaces in the wind.

This style is consistent with the teams he faces.

Manchester United, one of the most powerful teams in English history, is also the team with the most perfect commercial development.

Their style of play has little to do with words such as art and elegance, but they have gained hundreds of millions of loyal fans around the world.

Chen Yao knows that Manchester United this season is not their strongest moment. On the contrary, this is the last afterglow of this team before its decline.

Despite this, Manchester United still have great hopes of winning the Premier League title this season and letting Alex Ferguson retire with success.

What Chen Yao still remembers vividly is that sultry night in late August more than a year ago, when Manchester United allowed their team to concede eight goals.

Liang Zi of both teams is not short of this one, so he cannot let Manchester United win the championship despite Arsenal's defeat.

Not far away, Sir Alex Ferguson's face didn't look relaxed either.

Having been in charge of the team for decades, Ferguson clearly knew that the team was gradually slipping out of his control.He tried hard to lift the team, but could not stop its slow fall.

Not much chance left.

This game must be won - if the point difference with Manchester City can be further widened and the schedule is not too difficult in the end, Manchester United will be able to avoid danger and even lock in the championship with a considerable lead.

But if you lose...

Maybe the inertia that has sustained this team to this point is coming to an end.

……

Ferguson arranged a 4-2-3-1 formation for Manchester United.

This season, Ferguson tried many methods. He tried 4-4-2 and a diamond midfield. He wanted to insert all the attackers in the team into the starting lineup at the same time, but the results of these attempts were not good. .

His team has outstanding players such as Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, but having a tactical framework to fully utilize their strengths is a difficult and meaningless task for Ferguson now.

Therefore, during nearly half a season of running-in, Ferguson readjusted the team's tactics back to a style of play based on pressure and counterattack.Facts have proved that this style of play is effective.

There is no need for too much design to take advantage of the attacker's characteristics, just create space and let the stars solve the problem on their own.

Manchester United's starting goalkeeper is De Gea, and the four defenders are Evra, Evans, Ferdinand and Rafael.

Double defensive midfielders Scholes and Carrick, but in the actual game, Scholes will be positioned further forward, coming to the central midfielder position, while Carrick will stay behind to maintain the balance of the line.

This also makes Manchester United's formation more like 4-1-4-1 when unfolded.

The left and right wingers are Ashley Young and Valencia respectively, the attacking midfielder position is Wayne Rooney, and the lone forward Robin van Persie.

Arsenal's formation is exactly the same as Manchester United's, a similar 4-2-3-1 formation, and familiar players appear in the starting lineup.

Goalkeeper Szczesny, back four Monreal, Mertesacker, Koscielny and Sagna.

Double midfielder Arteta and Ramsey.

The three frontcourt attackers are Griezmann, Cazorla and Walcott.

Lone forward Olivier Giroud.

This is Arsenal's most mature and stable lineup after more than half a season of running-in.

……

"Manchester United has a high scoring rate in the first 20 minutes of the game this season. Their passing rhythm is very fast. Scholes will send a through ball forward from a slightly larger space in the midfield. Wayne Rooney Two talented strikers like Robin Van Persie will look for opportunities to tear apart the opponent's defense..." Hasselbaink analyzed Manchester United's arrangement.

Martin Taylor's voice suddenly rose: "As you said, Jimmy, Manchester United has grabbed the ball, in a dangerous position!"

Per Mertesacker's pass was slightly slower.

Ferguson was blushing and roaring at the scene. Rooney, Robin van Persie and Valencia rushed towards Mertesacker at the same time. Under the pressure of the three of them from three directions, Mertesacker could only turn around and return the ball to Szczesny. But he didn't have time to turn around.

Mertesacker could only manage to kick the ball far away. Carrick intercepted the ball and passed it across to Scholes.

Scholes was in a position that lacked pressure.This kind of space is precious, the blond veteran from Salford sighed and sent a precise through ball.

Wayne Rooney caught the ball and his drive failed to shake off Mikel Arteta, who had Rooney wrapped around him.

Rooney took a few steps to the left rib, and there was not much space in front of him. Sagna ran over and formed a flank attack on him. Rooney had no room to shoot.

He tipped the ball toward the penalty area.

Rooney knew there would be someone in that position.

When Robin van Persie first arrived at Carrington, Rooney could barely keep up with Van Persie's movements.

Now, he gave up trying to understand his new teammate, all he needed to know was that someone would be there.

Robin van Persie was indeed there, facing his former team-mates in Arsenal colors.

The clothes he is wearing are still red, but they are no longer the red and white of the gunman.

The green hills are far away.

　There are no eunuchs. It’s true that I have things to deal with in my life and I’m exhausted.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)