Chapter 23: Opening Score

The 2018/2019 Premier League officially kicked off on August 10.

Arsenal will play away against Newcastle United in the first game.

The Magpies' performance in recent seasons is still tepid, barely able to reach the level of relegation, but it is a little difficult to go one step further.

And Newcastle United's transfer investment this season is not too much.

It is basically based on picking up the leftovers. It seems that some transfer operations have been carried out, but it does not have much significance for strengthening the overall strength.

To put it bluntly, it is still money that makes things happen. Without money, it is difficult to make a difference in today's highly commercialized football world.

Haven't you seen that many traditional giants are also gradually declining due to the impact of commercialization, let alone Newcastle United.

Newcastle is a port city in the northeast of England, about 450 kilometers north of London.

In order to travel to Newcastle more comfortably, Arsenal took the train.

Arsenal directly booked a carriage to avoid being disturbed.

After about 4 hours of driving, they finally arrived in Newcastle.

Because of the afternoon game, time was still quite tight.

After Arsenal arrived in Newcastle, they went directly to the training ground. After a simple adaptation training and lunch, they went to the game venue at around 1 o'clock.

After the long journey, the players' mental state was not particularly good.

But they still forced themselves to cheer up.

After all, it was the first game of the season, and they wanted to get off to a good start.

After arriving in the locker room, Mourinho directly announced the starting lineup.

It was still the starting main force that was previously formulated.

Although some substitutes performed well, they would not play directly in the first game. This was a game that needed to be won steadily.

For this reason, the full main force was more secure.

Starting lineups of both sides.

Newcastle United (3-5-2):

Goalkeeper: Dubravka.

Defenders: Scherer, Lacelles, Dummett.

Midfielders: Manquillo, Hayden, Shelvey, Longstaff, Ritchie.

Forwards: Almiron, Joelinton.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Martinez.

Defenders: Bellerin, Jimenez, Hummels, Robertson.

Midfielders: Aubameyang, Kante, Eriksen, Lukay, Mane.

Forward: Giroud.

"This is the first round of the 2019/2020 Premier League, Newcastle United vs. Arsenal!"

"The Magpies played a 3-5-2 formation in this game. I have to say that Bruce dared to play with 3 central defenders against Arsenal. He is really brave!"

Andy Gray made a small joke.

Richard shrugged and said, "What else can we do? In fact, even if we set up a defensive formation, we are still likely to be penetrated by Arsenal. There is no so-called tactical restraint when facing Arsenal. In this case, we can only use the tactics we are best at."

"For the Magpies, it would be very good if they could just draw this game."

Andy Gray: "Of course, Arsenal wants to take away three points and get a good start. Judging from Arsenal's previous game status, it is not without a chance. Moreover, Arsenal played all its main players in this game, which is a signal to win the game."

The atmosphere on the scene was quite solemn during the opening of the two commentators.

Newcastle fans were cheering constantly, but under the camera, their expressions were extremely heavy.

Obviously, Arsenal put too much pressure on them.

Last season, they won five championships and won two championships at the beginning of this season. They still maintained an unbeaten record. These titles alone are scary enough.

With the media's exaggeration, their pressure is obvious.

In the player tunnel, Newcastle's players also looked solemn.

The first game of the season was indeed a bit nervous, but some people were obviously too nervous, and their bodies were a bit stiff.

For this reason, they had to pat their thighs and arms, hoping that their bodies could be more excited.

But under the psychological pressure, the excitement was far from enough.

Compared with the anticipation of the game, their pressure was greater.

Everyone knew that at this time, whoever could beat Arsenal would become the focus of the whole of Europe.

They might even become famous in one battle.

But this opportunity is also a picky one. With Newcastle's current lineup, they want to beat Arsenal, which is indeed a bit delusional.

Compared with Newcastle's nervous range, Arsenal's side is relatively calm.

The pre-season Community Shield and the European Super League made them enter the league faster.

The overall morale is also high.

For this reason, they think there is no reason to lose to Newcastle.

Soon, under the intense cheers on the scene, the players of both sides entered the field.

In the camera, they stood in a row. After completing the pre-match filming, the two captains began to guess the sides.

At this time, the commentators were also introducing some statistics of the game.

After the two captains finished guessing the sides and Arsenal got the right to kick off, the game officially entered a tense stage.

Giroud stepped on the ball in the midfield. Although he had experienced a four-hour drive to the away game, his body was relatively tired and stiff.

But his overall fighting spirit was extremely strong.

There is even a strong desire to shoot at this time.

He feels that his condition is very good.

In this atmosphere, the referee blew the whistle to start the game.

After Giroud took the kick, he immediately ran forward, and Arsenal also started to press forward based on controlling the ball.

Of course, Newcastle, who had more people in the midfield, began to press fiercely.

At first, Eriksen was not particularly used to facing this kind of pressing, but when Lucky came to the midfielder on the other side, his pressure was greatly relieved.

Based on Lucky's strong points, Eriksen also transferred the pressure and even gave up space, becoming a connecting point.

This is also one of Eriksson's strengths. Although he is not a pressure-resistant player, he knows how to sacrifice a certain amount of himself to seek the team's advantage.

After Lucky gradually stabilized the situation in the middle, Lucky passed the ball towards Eriksen.

At this time, Eriksen and Aubameyang just completed a cross-change, and Eriksen pulled away from the left wing.

Facing the pass, Eriksen did not catch the ball forward or make a breakthrough.

He waited a moment.

However, this pause was regarded as an opportunity by the opponent's defensive players, and they immediately attacked.

Eriksen quickly took a shot and poked the ball gently.

The ball passed under the opponent's crotch.

After Eriksen completed a crotch pass, he immediately raised his head. The next second, he opened his stance and passed directly.

"Eriksen, wonderful cross, this is a direct cross, let's look at the middle, Giroud!

! "

Andy Gray's voice suddenly rose in pitch.

At this time, he saw Giroud leaping high in the middle of the penalty area. He faced the ball and smashed it directly towards the ball.

"Giroud! Grab the point! This ball"

Andy Gray paused for a moment and shouted the next second:

"Goal!

!

!

!

!

!

! ——”

"Arsenal already scored a goal while we were still introducing the starting lineup."

"In the first minute or so, they blasted Newcastle United's goal!"

"A wonderful escape from the dribble + cross. Of course, Giroud's grabbing of points in the middle is also extremely good."

"These all contributed to Arsenal's goal!"

"At the beginning of the game, before the Magpies players even touched the ball, they were already lagging behind. This situation was unacceptable to the Magpies. Perhaps they thought that they were the weaker side, so they wanted to focus on defense and central defense. Control of the field, but they undermined Arsenal’s offensive decisiveness!”

"Of course, Eriksen's well-timed cross is also the key!"

Speaking of this, Andy Gray couldn't help but sigh; "Arsenal's frontcourt has been activated by Eriksen!"

"pretty!

"

Lucky held Giroud and Eriksen in each hand, smiling happily.

In the past, Arsenal relied on him to lead the offense, which also resulted in Lucky being consumed a lot after a season.

Under such intense consumption, it is extremely difficult to maintain the state.

Especially at the end of the season, Lucky was almost gritting his teeth and holding on.

But now, with the addition of Eriksen, his pressure has been greatly reduced.

At the very least, you don't have to worry about the offense in many cases, unless Eriksson can't stand it.