Chapter 42: Various Attack Modes

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On October 18, Arsenal went to Cyprus to face APOEL.

This is also the third round of the Champions League group stage.

APOEL is undoubtedly a Cypriot giant team, and they have a strong dominance in their domestic league.

They have won the Cypriot First Division 28 times, and have entered the Champions League three times. In the 2011-2012 season, they once reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League, but lost to Real Madrid in the quarterfinals.

Although the current APOEL cannot be compared with the golden generation at that time, it is still a team full of tenacity.

At present, in the Champions League, APOEL lost the first two rounds. If they lose the third round, then there is only the possibility of theoretical qualification.

The most important thing is that their opponent in the third round is still Arsenal.

There is no doubt that Arsenal is the strongest team in Group H of the Champions League. It is almost impossible to win from Arsenal.

But APOEL did not give up and is still trying to get the possibility of victory.

The APOEL team, coached by head coach Donis, is a team full of fighting spirit, and their playing style is also very entertaining.

In addition to the popular passing and controlling tactics in Europe, they are also very familiar with high-pressure pressing.

However, this level of tactics is only applicable to their domestic league. After facing teams like Arsenal, the most acute problem was exposed.

The rhythm is too slow!

"Arsenal's offense and defense conversion speed is very fast, which makes it difficult for APOEL to digest this rapid rhythm change. Before they can retreat, Arsenal is almost reaching their penalty area!"

Sky Sports commentator Paul Mossen shook his head and said, "This is the gap in overall strength! Although we have thought about the emergence of an upset, the probability is too low. It is almost impossible for APOEL to beat Arsenal!"

Swish! ! ! ! ! !

As soon as the voice fell, Arsenal scored.

In the process of counterattack, Aubameyang made a cross, Giroud carried the opponent's central defender with his back, and passed the ball back to Wilshere.

Wilshere scored easily.

In the 11th minute of the game, Arsenal scored the first goal.

This was undoubtedly a double blow to the already disadvantaged APOEL.

"Beautiful shot!"

Lucky found Wilshere to celebrate.

The latter also seemed very happy.

For players, every goal is extremely valuable.

"Why did you stop in this game?"

In the last round of the league, Lucky was in a crazy state.

But this game seemed very quiet. In addition to defensive work, he rarely ran forward.

In response, Lucky smiled and said, "The coach asked me to pay more attention to the defensive work!"

Hearing this, Wilshere nodded slightly.

Lucky's defense is very strong, but Mourinho obviously hopes that Lucky will keep this state and use it in key games.

Of course, Mourinho did not restrict Lucky from attacking forward, but just made suggestions.

But Lucky's style is like this.

Unless he needs to participate in the attack, he will move forward, and more often he still focuses on defense.

Mourinho on the sidelines also nodded slightly.

In fact, what he wants to verify now is the offensive intensity of Arsenal when Lucky does not participate in the offense.

It is certain that after Lucky joins the offense, Arsenal's offensive intensity will increase significantly.

But for Mourinho and Arsenal itself, Lucky has to shoulder more defensive work in the midfield.

Only when the defense is done well can they devote more energy to the offense.

For this reason, during the stage when Lucky retreats to defend, Arsenal's frontcourt free attack will become their next inspection target.

At the same time, the two full-backs also began to frequently advance.

Now Mourinho is no longer limited to traditional defensive defense, but is more flexible and integrated in offense.

Bellerin's speed and Robertson's crosses all need to be utilized.

The most ideal tactic is that these two people can also be integrated into the tactical system of the center retreat, and Arsenal can play more offensive options in the frontcourt.

So far, the cooperation between Wilshere, the two wingers and Giroud has gradually become tacit.

But this system still needs to be optimized.

"Bellein's forward insertion is not decisive enough!"

Mourinho said.

Assistant coach Arteta said, "He is worried about the defense. Once he goes forward, he cannot retreat immediately, and there will be problems on the defensive end."

"For this reason, many times, he is not firm enough even if he chooses to go forward!"

Mourinho said, "How to solve it?"

Arteta: "Let him try to attack more. As long as his teammates retreat and fill in the position appropriately, he can rest assured!"

Mourinho nodded; "What about Robertson?"

"Robertson's cross is very threatening, and he has also developed an offensive routine based on defense. However, I think Robertson does not need to press too much forward. His threatening position is on the wing, not in the center, so he cooperates more with the midfield!"

Arteta talked freely.

Since he became Arsenal's assistant coach, he has learned a lot from Mourinho.

At this time, he also made a methodical analysis and won Mourinho's approval.

In the past, he would never have made such a judgment.

"Practice slowly! The season has just begun!"

After Mourinho finished speaking, he turned to look at the court.

At this time, Arsenal just got a chance to set the ball.

This is a central location and an ideal distance.

The only thing is that it's a little too centered.

Lucky ran to the penalty spot, took the ball from his teammate, bent down and placed it at the penalty spot.

Before the free throw, Lucky turned his head and looked to the right.

Ramsey is ready to move.

Lucky immediately kicked off the game.

However, he did not shoot directly or pass the ball. Instead, he distributed the ball in front of Ramsey on the right.

APOEL saw Arsenal take a tactical free kick and immediately ran towards the right.

The human wall immediately collapsed.

At this point, Ramsey has two options.

Either pass it back to Lucky, or pass the ball directly.

Ramsey chose the latter.

The ball passed under the crotch of the Athletic Greek defender and flew in front of Aubameyang, who met the ball and stabbed it with his toe.

The ball drilled into the goal from the near corner.

Arsenal scored another goal in the 31st minute.

Arsenal lead by two goals.

And this goal was a huge blow to the morale of APOEL.

It's just one goal lost, now another one.

This would be a disaster for APOEL.

"Another goal was conceded. Arsenal used a tactical set piece to score the second goal. Mourinho is obviously increasing Arsenal's reserves of offensive methods. Now this is Arsenal who really have many offensive methods. !”

"Grab the points in the frontcourt! The center's retracement! The full-backs go forward to assist! Now with the addition of tactical set pieces, it is difficult to carry out targeted defense against such a team!"

"But the most important thing is Arsenal's defense!"

Paul Merson exclaimed: "It's so stable!"

"In the three rounds of the Champions League, Arsenal only conceded one goal, and their number of goals conceded in the league is also the least among all teams in the Premier League!"

"Stable defense, sharp offense! This Arsenal team has begun to show its championship look!"

Not only Paul Merson but also many fans watching this game were lamenting the strength of Arsenal.

This kind of power is not the kind of flash in the pan, a super performance.

Rather, it has a long history and is based on stable performance under a certain system.

If Arsenal maintains this state, it will definitely be the biggest enemy of any team committed to the Champions League title!

Second half, 55 minutes.

Mourinho made a substitution.

Lucky came off the field and Xhaka came on as a substitute.

Mourinho needs Lucky to rest more instead of playing the game full time.

Lucky will be needed to perform in the tough battles ahead.

He couldn't waste his energy and physical energy in a place like this.

Of course, he is also confident that this Arsenal team can still play exciting games even if they are separated from Lucky.

Especially with this kind of advantage, Arsenal knows how to win the game.

Lucky also rested peacefully after returning to the bench.

He has the same confidence in the team as Mourinho.

And to be honest, judging from the performance of APOEL, it is really difficult to shake Arsenal.