Chapter 432: Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles
In the 28th minute, Manchester United led 1-0, which was in line with psychological expectations. In addition, Odegaard's missed penalty kick led to further changes in the mentality of the players on both sides.
Arteta on the sidelines discovered that the "psychological barrier" of his players was not overcome last year and still not this year.
The team spent nearly 300 million euros on signings in the two transfer windows this season. They thought they could go one step further after missing out on second place last season, but in the end, with only two rounds left in the season, they have to rely on others to decide whether they can enter the top four.
Arteta was very upset, not only because of the score in front of him, but also of the bold words made by Newcastle, who were ranked 4th - not only would they continue to secure a place in the Champions League this season, but their wholly-owned shareholder, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, would also announce a great plan after the end of the Premier League season.
Arteta doesn’t know what the so-called “greatness” is, what exactly is great about it, but after thinking about it, any plan of this team controlled by the Saudi oil daddy should be inseparable from oil and money.
Thinking about money made him even more depressed.
Arsenal was not doing well in the past and was always accused of being frugal and limiting spending. But in the past two seasons, owner Kroenke has transformed into "Krypton Kroenke", spending nearly 500 million euros in two seasons. No one can accuse Arsenal of being stingy anymore.
But the standard of the arms race is rising. In the summer and winter transfer windows, which of the BIG7, except Tottenham, has invested more than 200 million in transfers? 200 million euros is the entry level. Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea all spent around 300 million.
The heyday of the Premier League also created a prosperous British currency and hellishly cruel competition.
If this number is applied to any of the remaining five major leagues, it can defeat any team in the league.
The other four major leagues have also thought about getting a piece of the Premier League pie. Neither the attempts of the European Super League nor the continued criticism from teams like Bayern have been able to stop the Premier League from becoming more and more dominant.
Those people really can't do anything about the Premier League. It's not that they haven't inherited the European bandit logic and plundering customs, but that in Europe, when it comes to robbery and plunder, the British, who once had colonies all over the world, are the ancestors of robbers.
Although the British Empire has declined, there are still people supporting the bandit ancestors.
In fact, if you look closely, you will find that there are actually two types of people who control the Premier League: American capital and oil daddies.
Liverpool owner Henry, Arsenal owner Kroenke, Chelsea owner Burley, Manchester United's former owners the Glazer family, these are all examples of American capital entering European football. In the United States, they each also own controlling stakes in rugby, basketball and baseball teams.
The current owners of Manchester City, Newcastle and Manchester United are the three major oil giants in the Middle East - the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, although Qatar mainly exports natural gas.
The rise of Chelsea also relied on Abramovich's oil pound, and Abramovich's exit was actually the result of the attack from both American capital and British local forces. It is another classic example of bandit logic.
So it is incomprehensible that Levy, a British Jewish man, cannot beat these six clubs. Compared with them, Levy can only be regarded as a mid-level player.
The rest of the Premier League are small players.
It’s just that the Financial Fair Play Act and the Premier League’s nearly even distribution of profits have set a “spending cap” for big players, so that while small players can make full profits, the spending gap with big players will not be too far.
But the Oil Daddy - or should I say, Saudi Oil Daddy - is really unwilling to watch huge amounts of money go unspent, so they have been planning for a long time and have formulated a "great plan" that is enough to change the current situation in football, which is ready to be released in two weeks.
But for such a big move, many reporters and Football Association officials actually knew the specific content in advance.
The Saudi Football Premier League, a competition nicknamed "Sand Money" by fans, has attracted worldwide attention since the introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth investment fund, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, has bought 75% of the shares of four Saudi giants: Al-Qasr, Al-Hilal, Jeddah United and Al-National, and promised to introduce at least three star players to each club.
Then came Brozovic, Kante, Firmino, Ruben Neves, Koulibaly, Mahrez, as well as B Silva and Ziyech, who were once very close.
If Benzema and Milinkovic-Savic of this world had not been intercepted by Manchester United, they would have already been sweating passionately in the Saudi Super League.
However, do you think that Saudi Arabia's oil daddy is just spending money to play real-life football manager to improve the level of Saudi football and the country's image?
That’s true, but only half true.
Think about it again, why is it promised that the four clubs will have at least 3 All-Star players, instead of 4 or 5?
How much money is Oil Dad short of?
Definitely not.
This gets to the heart of the great plan, and we have FIFA to thank for that.
FIFA issued new rules in 2022. Starting from July 1, 2022, each club can only loan out a maximum of 8 players over the age of 21 to foreign clubs at the same time, and the number of players loaned from foreign clubs is also limited to 8. By the next season, that is, the 2024-25 season, these two numbers will be reduced to 6.
In addition, the total number of people rented in or out from the same club cannot exceed 3.
The maximum lease period is also limited to 1 year.
The purpose of this regulation is to restrict the behavior of some European clubs hoarding players and then renting them out on a large scale and excessively occupying football resources. For example, in the 2018-19 season, Chelsea rented out 49 players, which were called "taxis" by the outside world.
But this regulation gave Saudi oil giants inspiration.
I have money, but Europe has the Financial Fair Play Act. I invested in Newcastle, but I can't spend as much as I want.
what to do?
I can buy the players I like to the Saudi Super League, let them drive the local market and enhance the country's image, then buy the players Newcastle likes to the Saudi Super League and rent them to Newcastle, isn't that enough?
There is no Financial Fair Play Act in the Saudi Super League, so I can spend as much as I want. The lease agreement is limited to one year, and there is no lower limit on the salary ratio that needs to be shared for the lease. Newcastle can get any top European player they want from the four major clubs in the Saudi Super League without spending a penny - with only one prerequisite, that is, that person can be bought with money.
UEFA did not expect that the introduction of Middle Eastern capital to fight against the traditional aristocratic group headed by Real Madrid would give birth to a behemoth today.
And even if they want to work with FIFA to change the rules and restrict the Saudis' behavior, it is too late. Any modification of major rules requires a period of research and corresponding formulas. Even after it is introduced, there will be a buffer period of about three years for the clubs to gradually adjust.
This is also where the Saudis are so confident, not to mention that there are many unclear and unclear interests between them and FIFA.
It is foreseeable that Newcastle will form an All-Star level team next season.
Seeing the opponent constantly making fancy moves, Arteta had no time to lament. He kept commanding the players on the field to attack again and again.
If we fail to win this game and enter the Champions League, no matter what others do next season, it will have nothing to do with us.
In the 31st minute, Saka, the most threatening player on the field, once again broke through Luke Shaw from the wing. The two fought to the end line. Saka passed the ball back to Odegaard who was following behind him. Odegaard made a direct cross. Havertz followed up and wanted to compete for the header, but although he was tall, his body was not strong at all. He lost his balance in the air by Casemiro who retreated to defend him, and he failed to head the ball, which was taken away by De Gea.
If the right road is opened but you can't attack, then switch to the left road.
Kaoru Mitoma on the left saw that Wan-Bissaka was really helpless, so she could only keep cutting inside.
But the defensive midfielder in charge of the right half today is Timber. The Dutchman who Arteta once tried to buy was eventually brought to the Theatre of Dreams by Ten Hag from Ajax.
Wan Bissaka followed Mitoma Kaoru all the way. If Zinchenko took the opportunity to go down the flank, Tingber would be pulled to the wing to defend at the first time. The two of them cooperated very well.
In the end, Arsenal could only rely on crosses and forced long shots to create offensive opportunities.
On the Manchester United side, Kva, who had just scored an assist by passing the free kick to Chen Xiaoliang, was not willing to let his performance stop there. Facing Ben White, who was not good at defending winger like him, he was waiting for an opportunity.
In the 42nd minute, Arsenal made a cross and Varane headed it out. Manchester United launched a counterattack. Chen Xiaoliang crossed the half court, but his long pass to Cesco was blocked by Saliba. However, the ball was not headed far away and fell right at the feet of Kva outside the penalty area.
Facing Odegaard who was blocking him, Kva first took a feint to the left, then suddenly dribbled the ball two steps to the right, and then followed up with a shot with the inside of his right foot.
This shot from about 27 meters away from the goal drew a beautiful semicircular arc in the air and went straight to the upper right corner of the goal.
Ramsdale had tried his best to stretch his body as far as possible in a nervous and anxious mood, but he still couldn't touch Kvart's world-class goal.
Zhan Jun: “2 to 0!”
"In the last game it was Cesco, and today it was Kwa. Both of them scored after Xiaoliang opened the scoring, and both showed excellent form!"
""
"I don't know if Klopp and Mourinho are watching this game. Next up are the FA Cup and Champions League finals. I want to see if the two famous coaches, especially Mourinho who knows the Roma trio inside out, can find a way to limit them!"
Not long after the celebration, the game reached midfield.
Unlike Ten Hag, who asked the team to control the tempo of the game, Arteta ruthlessly vented his inner anger in the locker room.
The tension destroyed all preparation plans and almost destroyed the team's hopes of reaching the top four.
But the confidence of Arsenal players cannot be boosted by these few scoldings. Even if this season is not counted, Manchester United, which did not have Chen Xiaoliang last season, defeated the powerful and No. 1 Arsenal 3-1 at home, and in the previous 19 home games, Manchester United remained unbeaten against Arsenal for 17 times.
Whether it is Wenger, Emery, or Arteta, whether it is Van Gaal, Mourinho, Solskjaer or Ten Hag, Old Trafford is the most difficult stadium to conquer for Arsenal.
However, although their confidence was not boosted, the Arsenal players, who were already two goals behind and had given up, were at least not as nervous, which in turn boosted their fighting spirit.
In the 61st minute of the second half, Martinelli replaced Trossard and Fabio Vieira replaced the sleepwalking Havertz. Two minutes later, the two teamed up to score a goal.
During the counterattack, Fabio Vieira made a cross from the right, trying to pass it to Martinelli at the back post, but the ball was too short and was headed away by Varane who quickly retreated to the penalty spot.
However, because he was heading the ball while running back, he was unable to head the ball far. Instead, Varane rushed into the goal because he could not control his speed...
The ball fell right on the head of Fabio Vieira who had entered the penalty area after making a cross. This time he headed the ball to the back post, but without much power.
However, the Manchester United defense was somewhat lax, and no one except Varane was in position. The ball bounced on the ground and continued to fly to the back point.
Martinelli, who had been waiting at the back post for a while, took a volley shot without any defense. De Gea, who rushed over to block the ball with his body, failed to touch the ball. The ball hit the top of the goal and went into the net. Arsenal pulled one goal back and the score was 2-1.
This goal was like a thunderclap, waking up the Manchester United players who felt they had won the game and could play safely until the end. Chen Xiaoliang repeatedly reminded the defenders to get into position as soon as possible and not to press too high in counterattacks.
Arsenal seemed to suddenly see hope of survival, and a group of young people began to attack in turns. Chen Xiaoliang retreated directly to the back line to help defend, and Ten Hag also quickly arranged for the players on the bench to warm up and be ready to go on the court at any time to adjust the playing style.
Just as Arsenal's offensive wave was getting stronger and stronger and they were about to equalize with Manchester United away from home, the progress of the game once again showed all the fans the charm of football.
You never know what will happen in the next second on this green field.
In the 78th minute, Chen Xiaoliang retreated to the left and focused on defending Saka who had already made a run.
It can be said that more than half of Arsenal's threatening attacks in the frontcourt in this game came from the 22-year-old English winger.
Sure enough, Rice made a diagonal pass to the right, and Chen Xiaoliang immediately started and intercepted the ball halfway.
The moment he got the ball, he glanced around and saw that except for Cesco who was in front of him, the rest of his teammates retreated to the defensive position and lagged behind.
He started to dribble the ball forward towards the middle.
Fabio Vieira rushed over from the center, but although he was also called Vieira, this Vieira's style was completely different from the Vieira of Arsenal back then. Chen Xiaoliang, who had already accelerated, shook him off with a slight change of direction to the left.
Then the person in front is Odegaard.
Odegaard kept running back, then turned his head and looked in the direction of Chen Xiaoliang's movement, trying to use his body to block Chen Xiaoliang's advance route.
However, Chen Xiaoliang first moved to the right for a while, and then suddenly changed direction to the left. Odegaard, who had been led to the right by Chen Xiaoliang, had to rush back to avoid being left behind by him.
Fabio Vieira was still chasing behind, and Gabriel, who stayed behind, blocked him.
Chen Xiaoliang glanced at the other side. Saliba was always cutting into Cesco's inside line. If he wanted to pass the ball to Cesco, he would either pass it diagonally for him to go straight in, or pass the ball in front of him for him to head.
But a flash of inspiration told him that the success rate of both options was far lower than if he did it all the way through.
At this moment, Chen Xiaoliang had approached the penalty area line. Seeing that he could not retreat any further, Gabriel stretched out his left leg to try to steal the ball. Chen Xiaoliang made a small turn to the right to get rid of him, and Gabriel lost his balance and fell to the ground.
Seeing that he was the only one left to defend, Odegaard immediately moved closer. Chen Xiaoliang protected the ball and used his body to push him aside and broke into the penalty area!
The home team fans in the stands had already stood up, and the shouts of "Oh-oh-oh" became louder and louder as Chen Xiaoliang got closer to the goal.
Odegaard, who was pushed away, rushed forward again, but he could no longer catch up with Chen Xiaoliang.
Saliba, who was defending Cesco on the side, didn't care about that anymore. When he put his left foot on the left corner of the small penalty area to prepare for a shot, he rushed over and slid down with all his strength in an attempt to interfere with the opponent.
But Chen Xiaoliang is not Balotelli. He will not stop and think about life at the last moment. If his ball could be intercepted, it would have been intercepted at the first try and he would not have come all the way here.
Ramsdale stayed at the near post and never made a move, fearing that Chen Xiaoliang would suddenly pass the ball to the other side of the goal and allow Cesco to shoot into the empty net.
He half-crouched to prevent Chen Xiaoliang from hitting him in the crotch, but after passing four people, he had already triggered a difficult goal . With the double BUFF of [Good at difficult goals] and [Good at powerful shots], he kicked the ball with his left foot towards the top edge of the near corner of the goal!
Ramsdale kicked his feet and reached up with his right hand to get the ball, but before he could stretch out his hand, the ball had already flown over his head.
Zhan Jun: "3 to 1! This ball goes in!!!"
"The gunman passed through the bush without getting a single leaf on him!"
"Rice never thought that his casual pass would be intercepted, which would allow the opponent to complete a solo move that dribbled past four players and completely ruin the team's hope of entering the top four!"
"15 minutes ago, Newcastle beat Brentford 1-0 away from home. They are already 4 points ahead of Arsenal. If the Gunners still want to fight for the Champions League, they must score at least 2 goals in the last 10 minutes tonight to get 1 point. They can also wait for Newcastle to lose in the last round and a miracle to happen!"
"But will the fans at Old Trafford, Manchester United players and Chen Xiaoliang still let them score?!"
After scoring the goal, Chen Xiaoliang took off his shirt and waved it in his hand. He walked around half of the field and came to the south stand under the "Sir Bobby Charlton" stand. He jumped up and waved his shirt, and while celebrating, he also threw his jersey to the fans in the stands.
His teammates on the bench had already rushed over to hug him and the fans in the stands to celebrate this great goal.
There were two people waiting behind him, namely referee Michael Oliver who had already taken out a yellow card and was waiting to blow the whistle, and Manchester United's prop manager who was holding a new jersey waiting for Chen Xiaoliang to wear it...
After celebrating with his teammates and fans, Chen Xiaoliang gladly accepted the two "gifts" carefully prepared for him. This was also his second yellow card of the season.
In the end, although they were still attacking, Arsenal, whose mentality had completely collapsed, could not change any situation. The score of 3-1 was maintained until the end. Arteta could only completely accept the fact that he would miss out on the Champions League next season, which will also see the group stage system changed.
After the 37th round, although former Manchester United player Carrick led Middlesbrough to defend with all their might at home, they still failed to stop Manchester City's iron hoof and lost 0-4, allowing Manchester City to score the team's 100th goal this season.
Their previous highest record was 106 goals in the 2017-18 season, and 102 goals in the 2013-14 and 2019-20 seasons.
Throughout the history of the Premier League, the 2017-18 Manchester City team still holds four records:
106 goals in a season (the previous record was 103 goals for Chelsea under Ancelotti in 2009-10)
79 goals in a season (the previous record was 71 goals by Chelsea in 2009-10)
Winning the title with 100 points in a single season (converted to the 3-point system, the previous record was 98 points for Liverpool in 1978-79)
Winning the championship by 19 points ahead of second-placed Manchester United (the previous record was 18 points for Manchester United in the 1999-00 season)
This season, Manchester City has scored 100 goals, has a goal difference of 79, and has 97 points, 12 points ahead of the team behind them. Although there are differences in some data, overall they look very much like the invincible team of 2017-18, not to mention that they are still unbeaten in the league so far.
But they are ranked 2nd in the league...
After hearing that Manchester United had defeated Arsenal after the game, Guardiola had already congratulated Manchester United in advance, saying that he had tried his best and that the team had achieved perfection. It was impossible to expect Manchester United to lose to Sheffield United, which was on the verge of relegation, in the final round.
Liverpool, who will play in the FA Cup final four days later, arranged a rotation and substitute players with a Champions League spot already secured, and drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace at home, which also stopped their league goal tally at 99.
Newcastle is fourth with 84 points, securing the fourth spot in the league.
Arsenal and Chelsea, who beat Leeds United 2-0 away this round, both have 80 points and can only accept the result of moving to the Europa League next season.
However, despite Guardiola's congratulations, Manchester United players did not open the champagne in advance.
As they are three goals behind Manchester City on goal difference, if the next game draws and Manchester City wins, they will win the championship trophy by relying on goal difference for the second time since the 2011-12 season with the same points.
So there is only one way left for Manchester United, which is to win in the last round.
However, before the last round of the league, four days later on May 16, they still need to play the FA Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley.
