章 43: 41. Againts Newcastle United PT.2
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The Emirates Stadium erupted, fans leaping to their feet in celebration. Francesco felt a surge of pride and excitement as he joined his teammates, surrounding Giroud to celebrate the opening goal. Arsenal had taken the lead, and the momentum was firmly in their hands.
With a 1-0 lead in hand, Arsenal quickly seized the momentum. They played with renewed confidence, dominating possession and controlling the tempo of the game. The Emirates Stadium buzzed with excitement as Arsenal pushed forward, eager to extend their lead over Newcastle.
Alexis Sanchez was relentless, attacking from the left flank and constantly testing Newcastle's defense. He cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot toward the top corner, but Alnwick was ready, leaping to make a fingertip save that pushed the ball over the bar. Arsenal's fans sighed in disappointment but applauded the effort.
Moments later, Francesco found himself with a chance of his own. Receiving a sharp pass from Cazorla, he darted past Newcastle's midfielders, finding just enough space to take a shot from the edge of the box. He struck it cleanly, but once again, Alnwick reacted swiftly, diving to his right to block the attempt. Arsenal's frustration grew, but Alnwick was proving to be an obstacle, keeping Newcastle within touching distance at 1-0.
As the clock ticked toward the 37th minute, Santi Cazorla picked up the ball in Arsenal's half. With a quick glance, he spotted Francesco making a run down the right flank. Cazorla wasted no time, sending a beautifully weighted long ball over Newcastle's defenders. The pass sailed through the air, reaching Francesco just outside the opposition's area.
Francesco's first touch was exquisite, cushioning the ball perfectly and setting himself up for a sprint toward goal. The crowd sensed the danger as he sped forward, with Newcastle defenders Paul Dummett and Cheik Tiote in pursuit. Dummett closed in, attempting to block his path, but Francesco's dribbling was on full display. With a quick shimmy and burst of speed, he evaded Dummett, cutting sharply to avoid Tiote as he danced past him with ease.
Now, only Fabricio Coloccini, Newcastle's captain, stood between Francesco and the goal. Coloccini braced himself, knowing he needed to stop Francesco to prevent another Arsenal goal. As the two approached each other, Francesco executed a perfect Cruyff turn, faking a pass before spinning and slipping past Coloccini with breathtaking finesse.
Suddenly, Francesco was one-on-one with Alnwick, who was already advancing to close down the angle. Francesco remained calm, his focus locked on the ball and the goal. As Alnwick lunged, anticipating a shot, Francesco feinted a strike, causing the goalkeeper to commit prematurely. In that split second, Francesco seized his opportunity, slotting the ball smoothly into the opposite corner.
The stadium erupted. Fans jumped to their feet, chanting and cheering, their voices echoing throughout the Emirates. Francesco raised his fists in triumph, exhilaration written across his face as he was swarmed by his teammates. They hugged him, clapping his back and celebrating his incredible solo effort. His skill and composure had paid off, and Arsenal's lead was now 2-0.
With Arsenal now up 2-0, Newcastle felt the pressure intensify. Determined to pull a goal back before the halftime whistle, they shifted to a more aggressive stance, pushing forward with renewed vigor. Arsenal's defense was immediately tested, as Newcastle's forwards, Sammy Ameobi and Papiss Demba Cisse, drove toward goal, looking for an opening in Arsenal's back line.
Newcastle's first opportunity came when Ameobi found space on the left wing. After receiving a quick pass, he charged forward, cutting inside and aiming a powerful shot toward the near post. The crowd held its breath as the ball flew toward goal, but Szczęsny was ready. Arsenal's goalkeeper reacted instantly, diving to his right and extending his arm to push the ball wide, drawing loud cheers of appreciation from the home crowd. Newcastle's chance was denied, but their persistence was evident.
Undeterred, Newcastle kept pressing, and it wasn't long before Papiss Demba Cisse found himself with an opportunity of his own. This time, Newcastle worked the ball down the right wing, where a well-placed cross sailed into Arsenal's penalty box. Cisse was perfectly positioned, rising high to meet the ball with a powerful header. But just as the ball left his forehead, Per Mertesacker, Arsenal's towering center-back, stepped in with a crucial block. With impeccable timing, he redirected the ball away from danger, frustrating Newcastle once again.
Realizing the increased pressure and Newcastle's hunger to score before halftime, Arsene Wenger quickly assessed the situation from the sideline. His strategic instincts kicked in, and he called out instructions for Arsenal to tighten their formation and drop back, shifting to a more defensive stance. Francesco and his teammates adjusted accordingly, prioritizing ball control and slowing the pace of the game.
Arsenal's defenders, led by Mertesacker and Debuchy, organized themselves with discipline, ensuring that Newcastle had little room to maneuver. In midfield, players like Cazorla and Chamberlain dropped deeper, intercepting passes and disrupting Newcastle's rhythm. Arsenal maintained a compact shape, denying Newcastle the spaces they had previously exploited.
As the half drew to a close, Arsenal's strategy began to pay off. Newcastle's attacks grew less frequent, and Arsenal regained control, passing the ball around with patience and precision. Little by little, they reduced Newcastle's threat, gradually reclaiming the momentum they'd held earlier in the game.
When the referee's whistle finally blew, signaling the end of the first half, Arsenal walked off the pitch with their 2-0 lead intact. They had survived Newcastle's onslaught, and the Emirates Stadium applauded their efforts. Francesco jogged to the locker room, feeling the satisfaction of a job well done but also knowing there was still work to be done in the second half. Arsene Wenger's tactical adjustments had paid off, and now Arsenal could regroup and prepare to finish the game strong.
As Arsenal's players filed into the locker room, a buzz of energy filled the air. They had the lead and the momentum, but Arsene Wenger knew they couldn't let their guard down. As the players settled onto benches, catching their breath and hydrating, Arsene stepped into the center of the room, his eyes sharp and focused.
"Listen up, everyone," Arsene began, his voice calm but commanding. "We've done well so far, but Newcastle will come out in the second half with a lot of energy, especially since they know they need a quick response. They'll likely assume we'll sit back and defend our lead. We're going to use that to our advantage."
The players leaned in, fully engaged as Arsene laid out his plan. "I want us to go on the offensive right from the start. Keep pressing them. Don't give them any time to settle into a rhythm. This is our chance to catch them off guard, and if we do it right, we can put the game out of reach."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "But we're not just attacking blindly. I want you all to keep the intensity high but stay disciplined. Francesco, Alexis, and Olivier"—he looked at each of them—"you three are going to lead the charge up front. Keep moving, look for openings, and create pressure on their back line. And remember, Newcastle's defense will be stretched. Use that space to our advantage."
The players nodded in agreement. Francesco could feel the adrenaline building again, imagining the opportunities that would open up with their new plan. Arsene glanced at his watch before continuing.
"I'm going to start rotating players around the 65th minute to keep us fresh and maintain our tempo," Arsene added. "So, I expect us to secure at least one more goal before that time. We want to get ahead and put the pressure on them to catch up."
The players exchanged glances, feeling the weight of his expectations. Arsene's trust in them was clear, and they were determined to make his strategy work.
"Let's get back out there and finish this strong," Arsene concluded, giving each player a pat on the shoulder as they rose from their seats. Francesco could feel the determination in the room, and as they headed back toward the pitch, he clenched his fists, ready to execute Arsene's plan to perfection.
As the whistle signaled the start of the second half, Arsenal's intent was immediately clear. With renewed energy and precision, they launched forward, catching Newcastle off guard with the sudden shift in strategy. The crowd sensed the change and erupted into cheers, rallying behind their team as Arsenal pressed for that all-important third goal.
As the second half kicked off, Arsenal surged forward with an intensity that instantly threw Newcastle off balance. Alan Pardew had expected Arsenal to sit back and protect their lead, but Arsene Wenger's tactical switch caught Newcastle by surprise. Arsenal's players charged down the pitch with purpose, and Newcastle's defenders scrambled to adjust to the unexpected onslaught.
The Gunners wasted no time in establishing control, with Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, and Mathieu Flamini orchestrating the midfield. Their smooth passing and quick transitions made it nearly impossible for Newcastle to gain possession. Every pass seemed calculated, every move seamless, as Arsenal's midfield trio dictated the pace of play, carving out space in Newcastle's half with precision.
Santi Cazorla was in his element, his movements fluid as he directed the flow of the game. In one moment, he received a pass from Flamini, then with a single deft touch, redirected it toward Ramsey, who had positioned himself at the edge of the box. Ramsey took the ball in stride, pulling defenders toward him before slipping a clever through ball toward Alexis Sanchez on the left wing.
Alexis took off, dribbling with his signature speed and skill. He cut inside, leaving Newcastle's right-back in his wake before firing a low, powerful shot aimed at the far post. Alnwick, Newcastle's keeper, dived desperately, managing to tip the ball just wide of the post. The Emirates Stadium roared in approval, sensing that Arsenal were close to scoring again.
The momentum was firmly in Arsenal's favor, and Newcastle struggled to regain their footing. Their players, expecting a defensive approach from Arsenal, were caught off-guard by the relentless pressure. Pardew could be seen on the sideline, urgently signaling for his players to drop back and reorganize, but Arsenal's midfield refused to allow them any breathing room.
Aaron Ramsey, playing with his usual tireless energy, intercepted a pass in the midfield and quickly played it forward to Francesco. Francesco, who was brimming with confidence after his first-half goal, controlled the ball effortlessly, taking on Newcastle's defenders with a combination of quick footwork and clever turns. Spotting Olivier Giroud making a run, Francesco threaded a pass into the box, where Giroud met it with a powerful shot. Alnwick, however, was alert, leaping to make another impressive save, keeping Newcastle in the game.
The constant pressure was wearing down Newcastle's defense, and cracks began to appear. Arsenal's midfield trio continued to apply relentless pressure, cutting off Newcastle's passing lanes and winning back possession almost immediately whenever they lost it. Flamini, with his defensive awareness, was quick to intercept any attempted counter-attacks, while Cazorla's vision and Ramsey's agility kept Arsenal on the front foot.
In the 51th minute, Cazorla spotted an opening and sent a high ball over Newcastle's defensive line toward Alexis, who was lurking just outside the box. Alexis controlled it with his chest, then brought it down as defenders closed in. Without hesitation, he slipped the ball sideways to Francesco, who was positioned at the edge of the penalty area. Francesco took a steadying touch, drawing a defender, then shot with power toward the top corner.
The ball sailed through the air, but Alnwick once again produced a stunning save, stretching just far enough to get his fingertips to it. The Emirates crowd groaned, frustrated but exhilarated by the near-miss. Arsenal's players weren't discouraged, though; instead, they redoubled their efforts, determined to find the back of the net again.
Seeing Newcastle on the ropes, Wenger encouraged his players to keep pushing. The crowd sensed the urgency and rose to their feet, chanting Arsenal's name, urging their team forward. Newcastle's defenders were visibly fatigued, their energy sapped from constantly chasing the ball and fending off Arsenal's relentless attacks.
In the 54th minute, Arsenal's relentless pressure finally paid off. As Newcastle struggled to keep up with Arsenal's intensity, Santi Cazorla, orchestrating the play from midfield, began setting up his next move. Cazorla's eyes scanned the field, reading the spaces with a masterful instinct honed over years. He nudged the ball toward Aaron Ramsey, who immediately recognized the opportunity.
Ramsey took a quick glance, then threaded a pinpoint pass back to Cazorla, who was hovering just outside the penalty area. In that split second, Cazorla's mind was made up. With a deft touch, he shifted the ball to his left foot, positioning himself for the strike. Newcastle's defenders, caught in the whirlwind of Arsenal's fast-paced movement, struggled to close him down in time.
With unwavering focus, Cazorla struck the ball with precision. It sailed through the air, spinning with a perfect balance of power and placement, aimed toward the top left corner of the goal. Newcastle's keeper, Jak Alnwick, leapt with outstretched hands, desperately attempting to get a fingertip on the shot. But Cazorla's strike was flawless; it whistled past Alnwick's reach, nestling into the back of the net with a resounding swish.
The Emirates Stadium exploded with joy. Fans jumped to their feet, cheering and clapping as they celebrated Arsenal's third goal. Cazorla, a grin lighting up his face, was mobbed by his teammates, who shared his jubilation. The scoreboard now showed 3-0, a commanding lead that seemed insurmountable for Newcastle.
Arsene Wenger watched with pride from the sideline, his tactical gamble to keep pressing having paid off handsomely. Cazorla's goal was the product of teamwork, patience, and precision—qualities Wenger cherished in his Arsenal side. He applauded, urging his players to keep their focus as they prepared to resume play.
Back on the pitch, Newcastle's morale was visibly shaken. Alan Pardew, on the sideline, wore a frustrated expression as he urged his players to regroup, but his words struggled to reach players who looked beaten. The third goal had shifted the momentum entirely into Arsenal's hands, and Newcastle's confidence was at an all-time low.
With a comfortable lead, Arsenal could have opted to sit back and defend, but that was not Wenger's style. Instead, they continued to press and control the game, keeping the tempo high and giving Newcastle no time to recover. Santi Cazorla, emboldened by his stunning goal, played with even greater freedom, gliding across the midfield with graceful confidence.
Flamini and Ramsey continued to work tirelessly, reclaiming possession with sharp interceptions and quick tackles whenever Newcastle attempted to advance. Mathieu Flamini, in particular, was an impenetrable wall, breaking up play and redirecting the ball back toward his teammates with an unyielding presence. Each time Newcastle tried to mount an attack, they found Flamini in their way, his tenacity frustrating their every effort.
As the game continue, Arsenal's dominance was undeniable. The Gunners maintained possession, showing both discipline and flair, embodying Wenger's vision of beautiful football. The Emirates faithful applauded each pass and tackle, fully aware they were witnessing a masterclass performance.
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Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 16 (2014)
Birthplace : London, England
Football Club : Arsenal First Team
Championship History : None
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