From Arsenal to the Ball God

Wenger’s departure did not bring much change to the two teams; they continued playing their wide-open offensive duel.

As time passed by the second, Liverpool’s desire to score became more intense. They accelerated the already fast pace, sacrificing success rates for threats.

”Boom!”

In the 31st minute of the match, Kuyt retreated to receive the ball and was immediately closely defended by Alexander Song.

He forcefully turned half his body and barely sent a bouncing ball towards Suarez’s approximate position.

The Uruguayan forward received the ball perfectly, dribbled a few steps laterally, waited for Charlie Adam to charge down the right wing, and then split the pass in his direction. The latter immediately swept out a low cross.

”Splat!” The football hit Koscielny’s outer arch; he couldn’t react, instinctively raised his foot to flick the ball outwards. The ball instantly lifted off, flying diagonally behind him.

Luckily, Alexander Song was on the line; he headed the ball away from the penalty spot area, clearing the threat.

At the drop point, Arteta was already turning back, observing teammates’ positions for a pass. Ball possession seemed about to change.

”Thump, thump, thump!”

In the front-field position, Ma’el and Walcott sprinted simultaneously toward the gaps favorable for Arteta’s pass. Such situations require preemptive movement; waiting for Arteta to receive the ball before moving would be too late.

In high-intensity matches, the time Arteta has to handle the ball won’t exceed one second.

”Tighten up! Tighten up!”

Midfield, Liverpool captain Gerrard quickly positioned himself behind Arteta, urging teammates to compress space.

Immediate counter-snatch!

Can’t allow Arteta to take the ball, turn, and effortlessly pass it away!

Four Liverpool players swiftly surrounded Arteta, cutting off all his dribbling and passing routes.

Brother Ta, after all, is not Ma’el. Forced to move a few steps, he struggled.

”Whack!” Charlie Adam, who came back to defend, prodded out a foot, poking the ball away, and Liverpool regained control!

Ma’el and Walcott stopped moving, as such situations are common on the pitch; their runs often end up ineffective.

But they must always run, only then they won’t miss the opportunity when truly needed.

”Liverpool is making a counter-conversion; Henderson received the ball poked out by Charlie Adam, on the other side, Gerrard is unmarked!

”Koscielny came out to defend, Henderson didn’t pass the ball to Gerrard, passing to Suárez! The Uruguayan forward charged into the penalty area, Zhu Lu marked him!

”He directly shot on goal! Oh...! Beautiful goal! Suárez targeted the far corner with his shot! Liverpool leads!

”The aggregate score is three to two! Zhu Lu didn’t fulfill his duties; when the opposing forward shoots, the goalkeeper’s task is to close the near corner, while the defender’s task is to close the far corner!

”Even though Arsenal only needs one goal to regain initiative, Liverpool now has one foot firmly planted in the finals!”

”...”

”Liverpool...! Liverpool...! Suárez...! Suárez.....!”

Amidst the Liverpool expedition’s invigorating chants, the goal-scoring hero Suárez slid to the sidelines to celebrate, got up and high-fived, hugged the veteran captain Gerrard who followed.

Both smiled, fulfilling Dalglish’s pre-match demands, fiercely attacking Arsenal’s turbulent backline and taking the lead.

Next, they aim for the second goal to erase the disadvantage of the team’s away goal difference!

They are on the right path, seizing Arsenal’s recent poor form, aiming to defeat this strong rival, advancing to the finals to win the championship!

”Beautiful!”

Sideline, Dalglish excitedly waved his fists to celebrate; he turned to glance at the old adversary Wenger.

The opponent stood in the fan zone, arm crossed, with the surrounding Arsenal fans, looking worried, saying nothing.

”No team can have good luck on every front.” Dalglish softly remarked, feeling better, pacing back and forth by the sideline.

This month, Arsenal stumbled, appearing to struggle, yet maintaining an unbeaten streak, steadily advancing on all fronts.

Today, Liverpool must halt their progress!

Their team is not Fulham, not Swansea, allowing Arsenal in such a state to bypass them harmlessly, moving forward.

This season, facing Arsenal twice with a draw and a loss, the team has not tasted victory yet, it’s time to savor it today!

...

”One to zero...! One to zero...! We are going to Wembley Stadium...!”

After the kickoff, Liverpool fans raised their flags and scarves, singing songs ridiculing the home team’s fans, ”Hold onto your Premier League unbeaten run well, next time when we come, you will have nothing...!

”One to zero...! One to zero...!”

This was probably a prepared song, waiting to sing when the team led one to zero, such taunts between both sets of fans are normal, Arsenal fans probably came prepared too.

”Boom, boom, boom...!”

On the pitch, Arsenal players intensified their offensive but kept missing good conversion opportunities.

Pure positional play defense breaking through Liverpool’s goal seemed quite challenging.

Unless relying on Ma’el continuously creating dangers through breakthroughs, Van Persie making miraculous plays... but under the opposing tight defense, this can only be considered a small probability situation, unlikely to frequently occur.