Qin Xiong did not pay attention to what was happening outside. Fleet Street sang his praises after three consecutive rounds of games. His contract renewal was also hyped up, but Qin Xiong did not care at all. After Vieira's departure, Qin Xiong knew that he had to establish his transcendental position in the team. He might not be able to surpass Henry, but he must get rid of his status as an ordinary player.
He realized that European football was moving towards an era of more and more utilitarianism.
In such a big environment, there were bound to be teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona that pursued themselves and were unswerving. But most of the mainstream teams tended to be utilitarian. Although they were not as extreme as Chelsea, this trend led to a more prominent phenomenon: the concentration of the team's elite group.
This may also be related to the changes in the European football transfer system. The more frequent transfer activities made the concentration of elite players higher and higher. Then, in the top competitions, the weight of the elite group in determining the game would be heavier!
In this era, one person could not lead a team to great achievements. Maybe a player could determine a game, but could he determine the ownership of the championship title in a season? Could he determine a team's rush to the top? No!
But the more elite players formed a group, the more decisive it would be.
Qin Xiong was already Arsenal's elite player, but there was a primary and secondary relationship.
Now, he was a member of Henry's side. He was serving Henry together with Pires and Ljungberg, and it was Henry who led Arsenal to victory and success.
Qin Xiong had the intention to usurp the throne and become a real king. This was not only a change in status, but it would also affect the team's team building strategy.
It was conceivable that if Qin Xiong could not stimulate Henry to play and make Henry perform better, Wenger would not have bought Qin Xiong back then. This was the idea of team building. When Qin Xiong could become the king, Arsenal's team building strategy would also be launched around him!
Then, he would be further stimulated to play and play a more important role. On the road to victory and success, his role would be more prominent and dazzling. The success of the team and individual was a win-win situation!
Therefore, he did not care about what was happening in the outside world now, nor did he care who left the team or who came in. He had to do his part well and become stronger. It was more important that he had a healthy lifestyle, constantly strengthening his body, and honing his skills day in and day out. Under such circumstances, he had no time to care about the outside world.
Three days after the game against Fulham, Arsenal led Anfield to challenge last season's Champions League champions, Liverpool!
Liverpool staged a stunning reversal in Istanbul and successfully reached the top of Europe.
People had high expectations for Liverpool in the new season. In a survey by The Sun, besides the first team they supported, Liverpool ranked first, Chelsea ranked last, and Arsenal ranked second from the bottom.
A passionate reversal in the Champions League made Liverpool a highly anticipated team in the United Kingdom. For Benítez, if he could bring Liverpool the first league title in the Premier League era, the credit would be no less than reaching the top of the Champions League!
However, Liverpool's performance in the first three rounds of the new season was not ideal, with one win, one draw, and one loss. Moreover, the three games were against mid-to-lower tier teams, and there were no strong teams in the upper tier.
Qin Xiong went to the airport to pick up Sylvia the night before he left for Liverpool. The two had dinner together, then went to see a movie, and then returned to the apartment to rest.
This kind of plain but warm life allowed Qin Xiong to relax better on the eve of the big game and welcome the big game in a state of self-satisfaction.
Anfield.
The joy of reaching the top of the Champions League did not seem to have dissipated. There were many Red Army fans in the stands holding homemade Champions League trophy models to stimulate the Arsenal fans.
Qin Xiong's recent form also made his teammates feel a little "horrified."
He was like an iron man, completely focused on football. His attitude in training, as well as his state during games, revealed a palpitating atmosphere.
There was no need to express it in words. Every teammate could feel Qin Xiong's ambition to conquer!
"The defending champions, Arsenal, have encountered two strong Premier League players in the first four rounds of the new season. After they achieved a difficult victory at Stamford Bridge in the second round, they are a guest at Anfield one round later. The toughness of the game schedule is obvious at a glance, and Arsenal is still suffering from injuries! Ashley Cole and Campbell's absence did not seem to be much of a problem in the last game, but the Champions League champions, Liverpool, are not Fulham. Moreover, the game is played at Liverpool's home ground. Arsenal's defense will be put to a huge test today.
Liverpool's run-in progress in the new season is not satisfactory. Benítez, as a cup master, needs to prove himself in the Premier League. Fleet Street's comment that Benítez is not good at the league is an unfair attack. After all, Benítez has led Valencia to win the league title twice in La Liga. What he needs now is to lead Liverpool to win the league title in the Premier League. Let's wait and see what Liverpool will do this season.
Liverpool's starting lineup 451.
Goalkeeper: Reina.
Defenders: Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Riise.
Midfielders: Garcia, Sissoko, Gerard, Alonso, Zendeng.
Striker: Morientes.
Arsenal's starting lineup 451.
Goalkeeper: Lehmann.
Defenders: Lauren, Touré, Senderos, Flamini.
Midfielders: Ljungberg, Fàbregas, Qin Xiong, Silva, Pires.
Striker: Henry.
The game is about to start. Liverpool will be the first to kick off. "
Benítez's expression was still as calm as an ancient well. His mind was full of thoughts.
As a manager who liked to repeatedly sort out and think about the opponent's information before a game, he was a classic master of countering every move.
But Arsenal's deja vu in the new season did not have a specific impression, which made Benítez have doubts about his opponent.
In the Community Shield, Arsenal was defeated by Chelsea.
In the first three games of the Premier League, Arsenal easily won against Newcastle United and Fulham. They looked like the invincible Arsenal team from last season. But at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal used defensive tactics to send Chelsea off the cliff.
This method was very similar to how Benítez led Liverpool to eliminate Chelsea in the Champions League last season.
Both of them were decided by a single golden goal in a match where the winner was decided by a single goal!
The changes made by Arsenal made Benítez hesitate to make a conclusion. He did not know how Arsenal would face the game.
When the game started, Benítez carefully observed Arsenal's tactical changes. Liverpool appeared cautious. They had four main players changed today compared to last season, and three players covered the middle and front field. It was now a running-in stage. They had to be careful. Otherwise, they would regret it if Arsenal seized the opportunity because of their mistakes, and then they would regret it.
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
