บท 439: Testing Arsenal’s Weak Spot
Premier League fans everywhere are focused on October 2, when Millwall is set to take on their first true challenge of the season: a showdown with cross-town rivals Arsenal.
Top-ranked teams are counting on Arsenal to check Millwall's progress, and Arsenal's supporters are watching the matchup with bated breath.
But before that, Aldrich has a League Cup third-round match to lead his team through.
Millwall got a favorable draw, facing Tranmere, another lower-division side, and the match will be at The Den, giving them the home advantage.
Even before tickets for the Millwall-Arsenal derby went on sale, eager fans were already lining up outside the ticket office. For season ticket holders, there was little worry, but for those who had tried for years to get a season pass only to end up buying single-game tickets, each Millwall home game was a challenging wait.
Before tickets even went on sale for the much-anticipated Millwall vs. Arsenal derby, lines had already formed outside the club's ticketing office. Season ticket holders could rest easy, but for those who had long been waiting to secure a season ticket only to settle for single-match tickets due to limited availability, every Millwall home game was a test of patience and endurance.
Tickets were hard to come by, and for those willing to queue, the real concern was enduring the line only to leave empty-handed.
For passionate Lions fans, their most urgent wish isn't necessarily for trophies but for the move to a new stadium!
The club plans to double its season ticket sales next season. The new stadium was originally designed for a 55,000 capacity, but demand has already exceeded 50,000. In response, the club negotiated with contractors to expand seating to 60,000. Season tickets will range from 40,000 to 48,000, leaving space for single-match tickets and away fans.
Millwall's success has come from more than just strong performances on the field. While victories help, it's the club's focus on engaging the fan community and maintaining strong ties with fan groups that has fueled its growth. In England alone, Millwall officially recognizes over ten major fan groups, with a combined fanbase exceeding 80,000 loyal supporters—each one a vital part of the club's ecosystem.
Just three hours after tickets went on sale, Millwall's ticket office closed, hanging up a sign: **Sold Out!**
Disappointed fans who couldn't snag a ticket were left to watch at home or in themed pubs nearby.
The tenth round of the Premier League featured the highly anticipated London derby between Millwall and Arsenal, but the day before, another major match took place.
Chelsea vs. Manchester United.
The result shocked everyone.
Unbeaten after nine rounds, Manchester United was completely dismantled by Chelsea!
5-0.
From the moment Poyet scored in the first minute, Chelsea set the tone for a ruthless onslaught. The ten million-pound man, Sutton, netted his first goal for Chelsea (the only one that season), and then Poyet struck again in the second half. United's defender, Bog, inadvertently redirected a ball into his own net, continuing United's nightmare. They conceded one more in the dying moments, resulting in a record 31-year worst defeat in encounters with Chelsea!
Chelsea's demolition of Manchester United sent shockwaves through England, while Millwall and Arsenal couldn't help but chuckle at their rival's misfortunes.
As the season began, Arsenal's performance trailed closely behind the top teams. In their first nine matches, they managed six wins, one draw, and two losses—losing to both Manchester United and Liverpool. Despite being only two points behind United and eight behind Millwall, they felt much weaker compared to last season, particularly in defense. Their once sturdy backline, which conceded only 18 goals last season, had already let in seven in the opening nine rounds. Any team with even a slight attacking threat exposed their vulnerabilities.
On the afternoon of October 2nd, London was drizzled with light rain.
Undeterred by the weather, fans flocked to The Den, their songs echoing throughout the stadium. The spirit was unbreakable.
In the pre-game press conference, Aldrich kept it brief, saying simply, "The competition starts here."
Millwall is grateful for the FA's scheduling, which has meant no major opponents in the first nine rounds. It gave Aldrich time to shape up the squad, resolve any issues, and gradually ease the team back after the break. Now they're ready to face Arsenal. Arsenal—with that aging backline… if only it were United. Aldrich would have preferred to cut their teeth against the Champions League champions, Manchester United.
Dressed smartly in his suit, Aldrich walked through the player's tunnel, his spirits lifted after receiving a call about Bert recovering from his cold.
Players from both teams were lined up, ready to step onto the pitch. Dressed in long-sleeve kits, Aldrich walked between the teams with his hand in his pocket. Arsenal's Pires and Vieira nodded at him as he passed, and he responded with a smile. At the front of the Arsenal side stood captain Adams, and behind him was another towering player, holding his head high with an expectant expression.
A firm tap on his shoulder caught the tall man off guard. Then came a voice close to his ear: "Hey, Zlatan, show me what you've got today."
He quickly turned, only to see the person already strolling down the players' tunnel, offering him just a fading view.
"Who does that kid think he is?"
"Kid? You're the kid! Watch your tone—that's our boss!"
Southgate, at the very front of Millwall's lineup, snapped at the tall guy.
Adams raised a hand towards Southgate. "Gareth, calm down. That's just how he talks. No disrespect."
Ibrahimović craned his neck, peering down the hall, but Aldrich was gone. He straightened himself, his chest puffed out and a fierce determination in his heart: today, he'd make sure Aldrich saw what he could do.
Proud as always, Ibrahimović didn't hold a grudge against Aldrich. He just wanted to prove that back then, Aldrich had made the wrong call.
Youth team? Nonsense. He should've thrown him the main striker's jersey from the start!
As Aldrich stepped out into the rain, the fans spotted him and erupted in cheers and applause—a familiar ritual at The Den. He acknowledged their warmth with applause before heading to Wenger to shake hands.
Wenger donned a coat, unfazed by the light rain. They exchanged pleasantries as their hands shook.
"As we approach kickoff, we've got Hall and Wenger, two friends outside the game but fierce opponents on the field, meeting again. You can read quite a bit from their expressions, right, Andy?"
"Spot on, Martin. Hall looks fresh, full of confidence. He always seems like a young upstart, ready to take on anything. He thrives on challenges, and I think that's exactly why his team keeps breaking limits and surprising us. Wenger, though, looks like he's got something weighing on him, as if he can already see this game slipping away. Of course, it might just be respect for his opponent, but standing next to Hall, you get this odd feeling like Wenger's at a high-stakes table, betting everything he has."
"Are you saying Wenger's feeling the pressure?"
"It's not about handling pressure. He's won, he's lost, and that's football for you. But usually, he gives off a cool, in-control vibe. Today, though, Hall's got this confidence that almost makes you think Arsenal's a bit shaky. Imagine how the players must feel looking at him."
"So what's Wenger supposed to do?"
"Hard to say, Martin. Maybe a stone-faced Ferguson look would suit him better right now."
"Alright then, focus back on the action! Millwall's sending out their strongest squad today, ready for this London derby. As for Arsenal, they've made two lineup changes from their last Premier League match against Millwall at the close of last season."
**Goalkeeper**: Seaman
**Defenders**: Dixon, Keown, Adams, Silvinho
**Midfielders**: Overmars, Petit, Vieira, Pires
**Forwards**: Bergkamp, Ibrahimović
Brazilian Silvinho has replaced Winterburn, and Ibrahimović has stepped in for the summer departure of Anelka. The young Swede has shown promise in the first nine matches, scoring only two goals, but his impact on the field is unmistakable. At the very least, Arsenal now has a tall target man for their attacking play, providing a reliable option to hold up the ball in the final third. While Wenger has strong substitutes like Kanu and Suker on the bench, he has chosen to trust this young Swede. Who knows? He could be the next Anelka—after all, Anelka earned Arsenal a whopping £20 million, making it a real bargain.
"Martin, let's not discuss value here. Compared to Millwall's recent transfers, no club in Europe can even compare."
"Right, I almost forgot that. Perhaps Millwall has become so powerful that they never worry about their core players leaving."
Standing on the sidelines, Aldrich braced himself for the rainy match kickoff.
With rain slicking the field, it posed a challenge for players' mobility, but given both teams favored ground-based play, neither had the weather advantage.
As the match commenced, Millwall's first attack nearly breached Arsenal's defense.
While Arsenal's central defenders, the 33-year-old Adams and Keown, still seemed fine, 35-year-old Dixon was a vulnerability along the backline!
Millwall had no reason not to exploit their opponent's weaknesses.
"At the start of the match, Ronaldinho pulled wide, taking a pass from Nedvěd and driving directly at Dixon without even looking to check his teammates' positions. It was precisely what Aldrich had drilled into him pre-match.
Go out there and use all your skill to break down Dixon!
Ronaldinho dribbled with a series of dazzling feints, gliding past Dixon effortlessly. The aging Dixon could only defend one side, so he chose to guard the inside. But Ronaldinho drove the ball down the outside flank, catching him off guard.
Reaching the byline, Ronaldinho cut inside again, with Dixon scrambling to catch up. He suddenly stopped, shifted direction, and pulled the ball outwards, fooling Dixon twice in under ten seconds!
He then attempted a sharp shot from a tight angle, causing Seaman to sweat as he barely deflected the ball out for a corner.
The fans in the stands showered Ronaldinho with applause as he jogged casually to take the corner.
Wenger's expression was serious; competing against Millwall felt like an intense tactical drill, exposing the team's shortcomings immediately.
Against other teams, these issues often remained hidden. Overmars had completely subdued his flank, so how could Dixon have been exposed?
Aldrich, seeing Ronaldinho miss the shot, bent down slightly in regret, imagining how beautiful it would have been had it gone in!"
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