Record-Breaking Hat-Trick
Andy Gray took off his headset. Then he called his assistant: "Kate! Kate! Quick, check the information!"
Although Andy Gray vaguely remembered this record, it was safer to check. Soon, the information was delivered to Andy Gray. The youngest hat-trick in the Premier League was held by Michael Owen. In the 2000/2001 season, Owen, who was only 19 years and 143 days old at the time, came on as a substitute at Anfield and scored three goals in Liverpool's 5-0 victory over Sheffield United, becoming the youngest hat-trick player in Premier League history.
Louis was born on May 30, 1995. Today's game was on September 23, 2012. Louis' current age was 17 years and 115 days. If he could score a hat-trick in this game, he would break Michael Owen's record. And this was only Louis' third appearance in the professional league and his first start!
Explode!
That was all Andy Gray could think of. Of course, all of this depended on whether Louis could actually do it. But when Andy Gray thought about this scene, he was just... excited. He didn't know why he was so excited, but he was looking forward to such a scene – Louis scoring a hat-trick in his first professional league start, breaking Michael Owen's record as the youngest hat-trick scorer in the Premier League!
In the second half of the game, Southampton planned to launch a fierce attack in the opening stage. However, their offensive was pushed back by Arsenal. Southampton's players basically had no chance to counterattack.
So the game situation quickly turned into a siege by Arsenal playing at home. In fact, Arsenal's players had no intention of continuing to attack. They were four goals ahead. Continuing to attack would just be a waste of energy. The season was very long.
But Louis was different. He knew that he only had ten minutes left, and all he could think about now was seizing these ten minutes to score a goal.
However, Southampton's two central defenders were no pushovers. Jos Hooiveld and José Fonte. With these two joining forces, Louis' attempts were repeatedly thwarted.
Maybe they also realized that if seventeen-year-old Louis scored a hat-trick, they would become a shameful backdrop. So they defended very hard. This hat-trick was not going to be easy.
The fifteen minutes of the second half passed quickly. The game reached the sixty-minute mark. Louis hadn't scored yet. Arsenal fans sang and danced, creating waves in the stands. Louis kept trying to find opportunities, crossing and running tirelessly. In the face of Louis' efforts, Southampton's defenders worked even harder.
In the 61st minute of the game, Louis picked up the ball with his back to the goal and chose to turn around and volley. The ball was blocked by Fonte and missed the baseline. Hooiveld pulled Fonte up from the ground. Snapped! The two high-fived. Even without words, they both knew they had the same goal: they had to stop this kid from scoring.
"Lucas, go warm up," assistant coach Bald informed Podolski, who was sitting on the bench, to warm up and prepare to play. These were all planned substitutions. Podolski immediately put on his vest and ran to the warm-up area.
"Arsenal is going to make a substitution!" Andy Gray in the commentary box noted, not even hiding the regret in his tone. He knew Podolski was likely to replace the young Louis. And if Louis was replaced, there would be no chance for a hat-trick.
Louis also saw Podolski warming up. There's not much time left for him.
In the 63rd minute, Cazorla took the ball from the wing and cut inside, attracting the defense and then feeding the ball to the wing. Full-back Monreal dribbled the ball down and crossed it. It was a half-lob. It was awkward for the point-grabbing players. They would have to bend down to reach it with their heads, and kicking with their feet seemed too high.
Wundt hurriedly adjusted his pace and prepared to clear the ball. He chose to round his thighs and kick them. Right then, Louis burst forward. He was originally entangled by Hooiveld, but his starting speed gave him an advantage over the Dutchman. He got there first. He stepped forward, keeping Wundt behind him.
Wundt hesitated. He was ready to clear the ball, but if he kicked it now, it would most likely be a foul. But it was okay; Louis had trouble handling the ball too. So Wundt immediately changed his plan, holding Louis' jersey with his right hand and stepping out with his other foot to prevent Louis from taking off.
Louis wanted to head the ball, but his jersey was pulled, and he couldn't bend down. Kicking it seemed impossible as Wundt tangled him up. Couldn't get up at all.
Do you want to give up this opportunity?
Louis almost made a big decision. He would never give up any opportunity. He wanted a hat-trick! He thrust his hips back suddenly, The ball was very fast. Louis gritted his teeth and acted with considerable fearlessness. Using his thigh, he hit the ball towards the goal! Wundt, nearest, instinctively felt an empathy for Louis' sacrifice.
"That position. This kid. Is it necessary to work so hard?"
He looked at the football blocked by Louis in horror. When Southampton's goalkeeper saw the ball moving laterally, he adjusted his pace and looked at Giroud at the back post. He didn't expect that while being completely entangled by Wundt, Louis could still hit the ball towards the goal.
When he wanted to move over, he was a little late. The football just flew into the goal.
"The ball went in!!!!!!" Andy Gray chanted. "Hat! Hat! Hat-trick! Hat-trick!!!! Louis! Louis!! Louis, who is only 17 years and 115 days old, has set a new record! He surpassed Michael Owen and became the youngest hat-trick scorer in the Premier League!!!"
Andy Gray finally had a chance to shout out the information he had been holding back for a long time. He did it! He really did it! Louis' first career hat-trick!
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