Albertini was running towards Gilberto. Even if the ball was passed to the Brazilian, Albertini would be able to stop him from shooting. Now, Upson had left his post and lost his position. Fàbregas's pass hit exactly where he should have been!
No matter how experienced Hierro was, he could do nothing in the face of such a mistake. Furthermore, it was already the 85th minute. He could barely run anymore.
After venting his anger and dissatisfaction, Tang En called Crouch, who had just returned from his warm-up, up from the substitutes' bench. He was unwilling to draw with Arsenal like this. It was not that he cared about the record that had nothing to do with him, but he was unwilling to let the three points in his hands turn into one!
We had the upper hand throughout the match, but because of a low-level mistake, we ruined such a good situation. I'm unwilling!
Arsenal's players ended their celebration. When the kickoff came, Forest made a substitution on the sidelines. Tang En replaced the exhausted Hierro with Crouch.
Forest's tactics suddenly became simpler and cruder. There were no messy steps such as setting up flank support, feinting attacks on the flanks, or cutting to the middle. All the players in the backfield only did one thing when they got the ball — kick the ball forward with a big foot and look for Viduka and Crouch. If they could directly attack the goal, they would. If they couldn't, they would pass it back to Eastwood or Ribéry. More long shots, more high balls …
There was no technical content, but Tang En could not care so much at this time.
Forest, who had resumed the battle, pressed towards Arsenal's penalty area like a madman. Tang En's desperate substitution had agitated his players. Everyone knew the boss was angry. He could not accept this result.
As a result, Arsenal, who had dominated the English Premier League for more than a season, was instead forced back into their penalty area after scoring!
"This is Forest's frenzied attack! Albertini's long shot! Ashley Cole's big foot to clear the siege … It's too embarrassing! Ribéry takes the ball and breaks through. He's gone in! He's fallen! The referee refuses to give a penalty kick! Heart-Stopping boos rang out in the stands of the City Ground stadium! Even though from the replay, Ribéry was deliberately looking for a penalty kick … "
His partner spoke very excitedly, but Martin Taylor shook his head. "If Forest had played like this 20 minutes earlier, perhaps the current score would be 2: 1. They're in the lead. What a pity … "
He turned his gaze to the sidelines. The Arsenal manager, Wenger, and the Forest manager, Tang En, were both standing by the sidelines, anxiously watching the match. At the same time, they frequently looked at their watches. To them, the former was too long and the latter was too short.
The Forest team's final bombardment made the defending champions look like they had lost face, but Arsenal got the ending they wanted the most — a 1: 1 draw, 43 consecutive unbeaten games, and the birth of a new record.
When the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the match, thunderous applause rang out in the City Ground stadium. The fans were certainly not congratulating Arsenal for breaking the record set by Nottingham Forest. Instead, they were congratulating the Forest players for their remarkable performance despite Arsenal's equalizer at the last minute.
Martin Taylor was right. "Although Nottingham Forest did not end Arsenal's unbeaten streak, this young team has given countless Forest fans a glimpse of the future. If the situation could decide the final result, then to be fair, the score of the game should be 3: 1, with the home team winning. Unfortunately, youth has given them courage, but youth has also cost them … However, I still like a Forest team like this. Watching the figures of a group of young people running on the field always gives people hope. "
No matter how the two sides were at loggerheads during the match, Tang En's tensed body still softened the moment the whistle to end the match was blown. He looked at the scoreboard, at the Arsenal players running and cheering, and shook his head helplessly. The anger from conceding the goal earlier was nowhere to be found.
The match was over, wasn't it?
He turned his head and saw the Arsenal manager, Wenger, smiling as he walked towards him, taking the initiative to extend his hand.
"Regardless of the result, this is indeed a good match." Wenger spoke of what Arsenal's youth team manager, Brady, had said to Tang En when they first met.
Tang En shook his head. "Other than the result, this is indeed a good match."
Wenger smiled. He was in a good mood.
Although he was not in a good mood, Tang En still complimented Wenger. "Congratulations, a new record."
This time, it was Wenger's turn to shake his head. "Oh no, the birth of a new record is just for someone to break it. I look forward to playing against you again. I'll see you at the press conference. Sorry, I'll take my leave first. "
Wenger patted Tang En on the shoulder, then turned around and walked into the celebrating crowd.
The dejected Forest players walked past Tang En with their heads lowered. He looked at Wenger, then shouted to the listless players, "Why do you look like you've lost the match? Listen to the applause from the stands. Who do you think it's for? It's not Arsenal, it's for us, for us! You did well! Raise your heads!! "
The voice was loud, and Wenger, who had turned around, could hear it clearly. He smiled and shook his head, then opened his arms to welcome his players.
※ ※ ※
At the post-match press conference, the focus of the media was on Wenger, who had led Arsenal to create a new record. All sorts of praises came, to the point that everyone forgot how unbearable Arsenal was during the match.
Tang En sat at the side with his arms crossed, coldly looking at the opportunistic media.
Wenger, on the other hand, was more thoughtful than the media. He took the initiative to change the topic to Forest. He repeatedly praised how well Forest had played today, how their tactics were appropriate, how the players' performance surprised him, how outstanding Manager Tony Twain was … Finally, the Frenchman gracefully paid tribute to Brian Clough.
The press conference ended with the two managers shaking hands and hugging. It looked like everyone was happy. Forest did not lose the match. Instead, they forced a draw against the powerful Arsenal. And Arsenal had successfully created a new record.
However, the two managers were probably not as "harmonious" as they appeared on the surface. This draw allowed Tang En and Forest to pay their tuition fees. It also let Arsenal's manager, Wenger, understand how strong of an opponent he would have in the future …
(To be continued. If you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. com. More chapters. Support the author. Support original reading!)
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