From Arsenal to the Ball God

"Aaahhh...!!"

Amidst the bustling Emirates Stadium, Arsenal players moved their legs swiftly across Manchester City’s half, rushing towards City’s midfield and backfield players.

City’s midfielders instantaneously felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon them, forcing them to concentrate fully and adjust their pace to the fastest rate possible to safely pass the ball.

A moment’s delay, and the fierce Arsenal players would undoubtedly intercept the ball!

"Boom boom boom...!"

The sound of passing echoed in City’s backfield, soon drowned out by Arsenal fans’ chants, "Glory Glory Arsenal.....!!"

Amidst the heated atmosphere, right winger Walcott quickly executed an interception.

"Smack!"

He intercepted the ball passed by Kompany to Yaya Toure and drove it towards the penalty area.

"Yeah...!!" Cheers erupted in the stadium, Arsenal fans’ emotions seemed to be easily stirred today, and many had already stood up from their seats.

Ma’el charged up the flank at high speed, his eyes fixed on Walcott, hoping for a diagonal pass.

He was already impatient, eager to break through City’s goal, scoring an important goal on such a day.

"Whoosh... whoosh...!"

He inhaled deeply, adjusting his sprinting rhythm, his blood rushing fervently, unable to remain calm.

"Bang!!"

Yet Walcott’s desire to score was equally strong, he reached the edge of the penalty area and launched a shot, the football deflected off City defender Lescott’s leg and bounced out from the baseline.

"Hiss...!" He grimaced and sucked in a cold breath, regretfully shaking his head, gesturing towards Van Persie and Ma’el on the other side.

"It’s okay, it’s okay!!"

"Come on, again!!"

Ma’el and Van Persie halted their positions, not blaming him, instead clapping to encourage him.

No one would complain or show a sour face today, everyone eagerly motivated each other to the best of their ability.

"Clap clap clap.....!" The applause immediately echoed throughout the stadium, the fans also admired Walcott’s interception and shot.

"Boom!"

In the corner area, Rosicky quickly delivered a half-high cross, the football cleared from the front point by Sabaleta, dropping near midfield in front of David Silva.

"Tap tap tap!"

The sound of studs hitting the ground arose, Arsenal players wasted no time on regret, at least five or six people rapidly chased towards their half.

Today, they exerted themselves immensely, no one would exhibit laziness or carelessness!

Upon detecting an opportunity threatening their goal from the opponent, they would desperately intercept, never shifting the responsibility onto teammates.

Among the pursuing players, Ma’el and Walcott quickly surpassed others, catching up first to City’s attacking players.

"Smack!"

Ultimately, Ma’el stretched his foot in midfield, tripping Nasri who aimed to advance quickly, executing a tactical foul to delay the attack.

The referee came over to warn him, but didn’t issue a yellow card.

Nasri got up feeling a bit discontent, staring at Ma’el’s back, gesticulating, muttering something under his breath.

"Whirr whirr whirr.....!!" Over fifty thousand Arsenal fans hissed at him collectively, weakening his momentum tremendously.

When Ma’el turned around, Nasri had already turned his gaze towards the distance.

In the broadcast booth, commentators from across the globe were here, discussing the match incessantly.

"Arsenal has started by increasing the pace rapidly! In such matches, tactical approaches are quite secondary, it’s all about the players’ willpower!"

At ESPN Asia’s commentary section, Zhan Jun and Zhang Lu, two veteran partners, were seated here, usually covering important matches.

Two months ago, on February 28, they commentated on Arsenal’s victory over Cardiff City at Wembley Stadium, witnessing the team’s first title of the season.

Today, perhaps they can witness Arsenal clinching the league championship for the first time in seven seasons!

"Indeed."

Zhang Lu nodded in agreement, elaborating: "Of course, that is provided both teams are of similar level, with players possessing solid match-reading skills and tactical comprehension.

"If the gap is too large, or player skills are merely ordinary, the role of willpower isn’t substantially impactful.

"Players from Arsenal and City are top-notch, their fighting spirit and desire to win truly influence the match outcome importantly!

"Football is played by humans, regardless of how complex the tactical system gets, ultimately it’s all executed by people!"

Zhan Jun chuckled, asking: "Mr. Zhang, who do you think has the stronger desire to win?"

"Hehe....." Zhang Lu snickered, seemingly thinking the question too easy, "It’s definitely Arsenal with a stronger desire to win, though I’d say City’s desire isn’t weak either.

"In the latter half of the season, City had consistently been Arsenal’s primary competitor.

"Now having mostly lost championship hope is considered very unsuccessful..... they could not tolerate Arsenal lifting the Premier League trophy after defeating them.

"Moreover, Nasri and Klich just made the switch, returning to familiar grounds, seeing familiar faces, didn’t expect it’d happen like this.

"They surely would exert every effort to obstruct Arsenal, or else it isn’t simply about losing a match or a championship lightly!"

"Haha...!" Zhan Jun chuckled few times, watching the field: "Let’s look at this attack! City has taken a set-piece!

"It’s played towards Kyle Walker’s position, collaboration between David Silva and Nasri! A two-on-one wall-pass!

"Oops... Nasri was bumped off the sidelines, his speed and physique don’t prevail over Kyle Walker, relying on such a straightforward method is tough."