My light shines on Arsenal

Chapter 241 The fateful showdown ()

November 11, London Colney Base.

It’s November, and one-third of the Premier League schedule is about to pass.

Chen Yao took a sip of hot coffee and looked out the window.

The weather was gloomy and not very good.

It looks like it's going to rain. I wonder if the rain will continue until tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the showdown between Arsenal and Manchester United.

The outcome of a game cannot determine the outcome of a season, but after a start with seven wins, two draws and one loss, Chen Yao couldn't help but have an idea.

That is: challenge for the Premier League title.

Last season, the whole Arsenal team did not think about the championship. In the second half of the season, when Chen Yao and the coaching staff reviewed the season performance, they found that the championship was not that far away.

Arsenal's main problem is the continuity of their form. The Christmas schedule often causes Arsenal to experience a wave of injuries, which in turn will lead to a collapse in performance in the following two months of winter schedule.

The two-month low period is an error that cannot be tolerated by the competition champion.

Therefore, in Chen Yao's view, Arsenal's most critical signing this season is actually Pintus.

Judging from the performance since the start of the season, Pintus' summer training is effective, and the physical performance of Arsenal players in a single game is quite good.

But at the same time, we must also consider that Arsenal's schedule so far is not very difficult. The most difficult opponents they have encountered are Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool. Arsenal also lost the game against the latter.

This is another problem that a team aspiring to win the championship has to solve: If the goal is just to compete for the top four, just win the game against the mid-to-lower teams steadily. But to compete for the championship, competitors must be defeated in direct dialogue.

The outcome of a direct conversation is a six-point difference back and forth.

Moreover, winning against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium is something that no doubt is necessary for Arsenal and Chen Yao.

Not to mention the long-standing feud between Manchester United and Arsenal, let’s talk about the two gunmen rebels in Manchester United.

It would be a shame for the team if Fabregas and Van Persie were allowed to kneel down at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal wants to compete for the championship, Manchester United wants to compete for the championship, and Fabregas has gone to Arsenal's old enemy and will return to the Emirates Stadium as a Manchester United player.

This is a duel with a strong flavor of fate. Chen Yao vaguely feels that the outcome of this game will affect the balance of the championship competition this season.

……

Alex Ferguson feels the same way.

Ferguson, who is over seventy years old, is aging day by day. Many times, he feels unable to cope with the extremely energy-consuming football coaching job.

This season, people can still see Ferguson's commanding attitude on the scene, but if they observe more carefully, they will find that Ferguson's face is red more and more frequently.

Ferguson knew his body couldn't hold on much longer.

This season is the last chance.

He is a proud man, a veteran coach with a steely will. Ending his career with two consecutive runner-up finishes is a shame that Ferguson will never forget until his death.

In order to avoid living in the shadow of failure for the rest of his life, Ferguson put everything on the line for this season.

He pushed for Manchester United to sign Cesc Fabregas for £32 million, their only major signing this summer.

Manchester United's senior management has expressed their utmost sincerity to Ferguson. As long as Ferguson is willing, Manchester United can start large purchases.

But Ferguson refused.

All he wants is Cesc Fabregas.

First of all, Ferguson's tactics at hand are already very stable. Too many signings will inevitably cause running-in and pain, but Ferguson no longer has the time and energy to bear these costs. Secondly, Ferguson likes this feeling, which is a secret sense of victory, getting players who have been carefully cultivated by old opponents for many years under his hands, and then letting him counterattack.

Just imagine, Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas, two world-class players trained by Arsenal, destroyed Manchester United. Such a scene makes Ferguson happy.

I just don’t know if Wenger will be so angry that he vomits blood.

The process of buying Fabregas was not easy. Pep Guardiola's departure made Fabregas reluctant, but Barcelona did not have a strong desire to sell Fabregas, and Fabregas himself was hesitant.

Moreover, the priority repurchase right for Fabregas' transfer is in the hands of Arsenal. Fabregas has not shown any resistance to returning to Arsenal.

Ferguson personally decided on the transfer of Fabregas. Manchester United and Barcelona conducted lengthy negotiations. Ferguson did not hesitate to go to Spain in person to persuade Fabregas to join.

For a coach of his age and status, Ferguson showed a high level of sincerity.

He convinced Fabregas, and the moment Fabregas nodded, Ferguson, who was bathing in the Barcelona sea breeze, couldn't help but laugh.

What makes him smile is not only that he completed a wonderful transfer in his twilight years, but also that he understands people's hearts.

A man who would betray Arsenal once for Barcelona will naturally betray Arsenal again for Manchester United.

This is you, Cesc.

"Sir."

The voice of assistant coach Mike Phelan pulled Ferguson out of his thoughts. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out for a while.

Ferguson coughed twice before regaining his voice, "Mike."

"We're getting ready to leave for London."

"Ok."

Mike Phelan quietly exited the office. He glanced at Ferguson. Sir Alex's body was a little stooped.

Sir Alex is old, Mike Phelan sighed, this is Sir Alex's last chance and Manchester United's last chance.

……

Juan Lillo came with bad news.

Following Lillo was Antonio Pintus, who looked embarrassed.

"Chen, I'm really surprised. No offense, but Arsenal's players...well...their physical condition is not that good...I may need a longer-term and more scientific approach to reverse their physical condition." .”

Pintus kept explaining.

"To put it simply, we have had some injuries in training. The main problem is our midfield. Jack...Jack has a small injury, which is not a problem, but given his injury history, I recommend that Jack be rested .Aaron also suffered an injury, a slight strain, but he probably won’t be able to make it to tomorrow’s game.”

Juan Lillo put the monitoring report on the table in front of Chen Yao, "Our tactics need to change a little. To be honest, we will face Manchester United tomorrow. When something like this happens, our chances of winning have dropped a bit."

"Give me more time." Pintus scratched his bald head, "I want to observe the players' physical condition more deeply."

"It's not your fault, Antonio." Chen Yao held his forehead helplessly, "Our team is like this."

"But the game won't wait for us..." He turned and looked out the window. The weather was getting worse, and there were already sporadic drizzles.

……

November 11, Emirates Stadium.

In the eleventh round of the Premier League, Arsenal faced Manchester United.

(End of this chapter)