Capítulo 52: Turning the Tide
"One to zero! Huntelaar helped Schalke 04 take the lead. If Arsenal lose this game, they'll essentially be fighting for second place in the group," Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray remarked with a frown.
"Yes, Wenger is aware of this. Arsenal is ready to make substitutions! Giroud is warming up!" another commentator added. "Arsenal now only has one option left: attack!"
In the commentary box, most pundits began to feel pessimistic about Arsenal's chances in the Champions League.
In the stands, home team fans sang and danced, while the die-hard Arsenal supporters who had traveled for the away game folded their hands in concern. Even when Giroud came on for Theo Walcott, their reaction was muted.
The match was beginning to remind them of their previous Champions League campaigns. They would start strong but lose a crucial game in the middle, making it impossible to win the group. They'd scrape through in second place only to draw Barcelona in the knockout rounds. The script seemed pre-written.
It's hard to blame Arsenal fans for their pessimism. They've seen this story unfold too many times. Even if Arsenal managed to equalize, they would still be three points behind Schalke 04, making the familiar plot seem inevitable. It was as if fate had shackled their hopes.
Schalke 04 head coach Stevens returned to the bench, confident that his team, having scored early in the second half, could now comfortably play on the counterattack. He knew that Arsenal's defense would weaken as they pushed forward. Despite Giroud's substitution, Stevens was confident his team could exploit Arsenal's vulnerabilities and secure the win.
Giroud knew his role when he came on. Wenger had been clear: Giroud needed to help in midfield, provide physical presence, and pass to Louis whenever possible. Giroud realized that if he could support the team by creating more opportunities for Louis, it would prove his value and potentially secure his place in the starting lineup.
With this in mind, Giroud performed exceptionally well after coming on. He dropped back to midfield to receive the ball, using his strength and ball protection skills to help Arsenal advance and apply pressure on Schalke 04.
Stevens quickly realized the shift in momentum. He waved his arms on the sideline, urging his players to push out and maintain formation.
In the 53rd minute, Schalke 04's winger Farfan dribbled down the flank and crossed to the center, only for Koscielny to intercept. Schalke immediately pressed high, a tactic popularized in the Bundesliga by coaches like Rangnick and Klopp.
Facing the press, Koscielny passed to Monreal, who cleared the ball with a long kick. Usually, the pressing team would win back possession from such clearances. However, this time, Giroud, who had retreated to midfield, controlled the high ball, using his physicality to outmuscle Schalke's Neustädter.
Giroud's successful control of the ball forced Schalke's pressing players to sprint back to defend. Arsenal, realizing the opportunity, surged forward. Giroud passed back to Cazorla, who had been tracking Louis's movement.
Louis, anticipating a counterattack, had been hovering near the offside line, moving laterally. The moment Giroud passed to Cazorla, Louis darted towards the center. Cazorla's pass sliced through Schalke's defense like a hot knife through butter.
Louis, with the ball at his feet, adjusted his run perfectly. As he neared the goal, Schalke's goalkeeper Fährmann charged forward. Louis watched Fährmann's movements, and as soon as he saw a shift in the goalkeeper's balance, he shot.
The ball curved beautifully, evading Fährmann's grasp and nestling into the far corner of the net.
"Louis!! Single-handed ball!!!" The commentators erupted in excitement, their voices barely audible over the deafening boos from the Schalke fans. The boos seemed to shake the entire stadium.
At that moment, Louis had only one focus: the goal. He adjusted his stride and, with a calm precision, slotted the ball past the keeper.
"Louis! Louis! Louis!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!!!!!!!!!" Andy Gray's voice echoed through the commentary box as he raised his arms in celebration.
In the away stands, the Arsenal fans, who had been so solemn moments before, erupted in jubilation. Louis's goal had pulled them back from the brink of another disappointing Champions League campaign.
To hell with fate!
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