From Arsenal to the Ball God

When they shouted to 5, Ma’el took a deep breath, looked up, and showed a look of longing for the opponent’s goal.

He was already in battle mode, and next, he hoped to lead the team to victory with goals.

”4...3...2...1.....!!!”

”Beep!!”

”Bang!”

As the referee blew the whistle for the match, Van Persie kicked the ball back from the center circle, then turned and charged into Cardiff City’s half.

Ma’el’s spirits instantly lifted another notch, as he moved his powerful thighs towards the opponent’s defensive midfield position.

Arteta, holding the ball, seemed to understand, took two steps back, and then spun sharply, sending a half-high pass forward.

Running the play again!

The Cardiff City players were focused, already familiar with this kickoff tactic that had appeared once on the Champions League stage.

”Bang!!”

Their center-back Hudson rushed in front of Ma’el, clearing the ball with a diving header towards Arsenal’s half.

”Oh...!” This quickly sparked shouts from Cardiff City fans; any beautiful handling of the ball in a final would receive applause and cheers from the home fans.

Ma’el smiled and gave a thumbs-up to Arteta, then turned and got back to his position.

”Push, push, push!!”

Unexpectedly, Cardiff City’s defense was very determined, seeing the ball go to Arsenal’s half, they quickly pushed forward, raising the offside line.

He could only follow along, soon arriving near the midfield line.

”Tap, tap, tap!”

Then he saw the opposing three forwards and three midfielders charging towards Arsenal’s defense, putting pressure high up.

Only four defenders stood against him, Van Persie, and Gervinho.

Very aggressive indeed.

But it’s understandable, if he were a Cardiff City player, getting into the English League Cup final as a Championship team, it would be strange not to go all out against the opponent.

”Bang!”

”Snap!”

Under the opposition’s pressing, Arsenal’s defense sometimes managed some brilliant one-touch passing, but occasionally got directly intercepted.

In the 2nd minute of the match, it was Cardiff City’s striker Kenny Miller who took the lead with a powerful shot.

”Ah.....” Seeing the ball fly over the crossbar, their fans burst out with cries of regret, then clapped encouragingly, ”Clap, clap, clap.....!”

”Oh!” Kenny Miller clenched his right fist and punched it into his left hand, looking extremely excited, then jumped up and raised his hand to cheer on his teammates, ”Come on.....! guys!!”

”Come on...!” A chorus of varying tones and volumes rang out inside the stadium, everyone was highly spirited.

Ma’el looked at their posture, knowing the match would be a tough one, but he wasn’t worried.

As long as there’s a chance to possess the ball, he’d let the opponent’s coach know the dangers of playing a desperate strategy.

His opponent was excited, and he was too, just waiting to pierce the opponent’s defense like a sharp blade; no one would hold back in this match.

He stepped forward to run, pressing the opponent’s defensive line back a little.

...

”Szczeny still opts for a short pass to start, they have great faith in their footwork!

”Mertesacker’s pass goes to the wing to Kyle Walker! The opposition’s pressure comes quickly, Kyle Walker can only hold his position for now!

”Trying to turn and break through, the ball is out! Cardiff City’s intentions today are very clear, they want to keep the ball in Arsenal’s half!”

In the commentary booth, Zhan Jun finished these lines, then turned to look at Mr. Zhang, ”Mr. Zhang, in this situation, isn’t it better for Arsenal to be more decisive in moving forward?

”If the battleground for ball possession is too far back, their goal will always be exposed to threats.”

Mr. Zhang shook his head and shared his insights, ”For a team like Arsenal that plays ball control and attacking football, passing out from the back is quite necessary.

”Because if we observe, when their four defenders control the ball, one of the side-backs moves forward, so it’s a setup of three defenders plus three midfielders for ball distribution.

”And for Cardiff City to press them and have the chance to intercept, they need to commit at least 5-6 players in the press.

”At this point, although Arsenal might lose possession due to mistakes, if they successfully pass the ball to the frontline players, it’s very likely those 5-6 players can’t make it back.

”So it becomes a balanced attack at the front, at most with one less player, which is very threatening.

”Of course, this is a rather simplistic understanding based on numbers’ advantage and disadvantage. How exactly to pass out, and how to attack once in the front, I believe Arsenal has more detailed practice during their training sessions.”

”Hehe.....”

Zhan Jun chuckled sinisterly twice and joked, ”Not sure about the passing, but the attacking is quite obvious.”

”Ma’el?” Mr. Zhang guessed what he was implying and laughed, ”Haha, indeed you could say that. If the back’s passing is well made, the front is left to Ma’el to charge.

”If charging can solve the problem, then there’s no need for complicated attacking plays, just simply send the ball in.”

Actually, he knew Zhan Jun had great football knowledge, but sometimes he intentionally tossed out some silly questions and cracking silly jokes.

He would seriously explain to the fans watching the broadcast regarding the former; for the latter, he would toss logic aside and enjoy the joke with Zhan Jun.

”The ball’s out!” Zhan Jun looked at the field, some expected glints appeared in his eyes, ”Will he get the ball?”

”.....”

On the flank, Ma’el saw the ball directed from the middle and backfield, made a forward fake run, and quickly ran back to receive the pass, shouting at his feet, ”Hey hey!!”