Chapter 113

Arsenal's bench was unusually quiet.

Tuopu Laotou's voice reached everyone's ears.

Boerde was a bit impatient: 'More than ten years ago, when we beat Leverkusen 4-1, that old man said the same thing—where does he get his confidence? We're currently ahead!'

Wenger's gaze fixed on Leverkusen's number 10 on the pitch.

He momentarily failed to grip the mineral water bottle in his hand, and it fell to the ground.

'The midfield core of every team, the objective in a match... is to maintain the overall attack-defense operation, following the termination method within the tactical system.'

'But he is destroying—he destroyed Roma's system, he destroyed Mönchengladbach's system, he destroyed Tuchel's system...'

Boerde picked up the mineral water bottle and placed it back in Wenger's hand.

"Boss! It's easy for us to hold the score!"

Wenger nodded.

The Arsenal assistant coach quickly ran to the sideline and began gesturing!

Cazorla understood implicitly.

Contract the defensive line.

Maintain the lead's advantage until the final whistle.

At the Emirates Stadium, Leverkusen's cheering slogans echoed!

"Leverkusenallez!

"!"

Fans all over the world are the same. Quite satisfied.

If the strength gap with the opponent is too large, losing the match doesn't matter.

The key is for the players to be able to launch an offensive.

Li Kang picked up the ball from the net and quickly ran back to the center circle.

The teammates' negative emotions gradually dissipated.

The best way to boost morale is not a fierce shout, but to change the game's situation through action.

Calhanoglu and Bellarabi were warming up on the sidelines.

The German black guy said: 'Hakan, if we two go on, will we drag Li down? It won't fit his style.'

Calhanoglu remained silent.

Saying nothing else, just that move 'Love's Magic Spin'—he had mastered it in training, but in actual play he simply couldn't pull it off.

Well... the only thing I'm better than Li at is aerial passing!

Bellarabi excitedly shouted: 'Fuck! Dino is calling us!'

"After Leverkusen equalized with one goal, they made two consecutive substitution adjustments!"

"Bellarabi substituted for Brandt! A direct positional substitution."

"Calhanoglu substituted for Boerresi! This substitution has some idea! Is Leverkusen going to switch to three center backs?"

By the sideline of the center circle.

Tuopu Laotou put his arm around Calhanoglu's shoulder and urged: 'Hakan, don't have any ulterior thoughts! Pull your position back to near the high defensive line—I'll have Kramer and Bendtner protect you!'

"Really emulate Mönchengladbach's Zakaria, Dortmund's Weigl, and Roma's Pjanic!"

"Fully utilize your advantage in long-pass distribution! Release Li!"

"You are the organizational core!"

Upon hearing these words,

Calhanoglu gave a fierce shudder!

Before stepping onto the green field,

He knelt on both knees and kissed the turf.

Leverkusen, your core, has returned!

After the substitution ended,

Dino wondered: 'Boss, why...'

Tuopu Laotou solemnly said: 'Arsenal will turn the upcoming match into a prolonged positional battle! The other players' footwork can't maintain the La Masia style, so we must release Li!'

"Hakan is the best cannon fodder!"

The match restarted at the center circle.

Arsenal did not commit too many forces to the attack.

Leverkusen's frontcourt players launched a frantic press.

In several fierce duels, the ball flew out of bounds!

Possession returned to Leverkusen's hands.

Hilbert reluctantly threw the ball to Calhanoglu!

Arsenal did not apply pressure, their formation quickly fell back, and the gap between the midfield line and the defensive line disappeared.

"How cautious! If it were ten years ago, Wenger would definitely not have chosen such tactics!"

"Lewokusen's momentum is too strong; we have to wear them down!"

Arsenal has a very obvious weakness—their control during the attack-defense transition—and Wenger hopes to conceal it with a conservative style of play.

Duan Xuan was actually just talking nonsense.

The TV station's tactical commentary has been criticized by viewers for decades.

Only a traditional explanation from over ten years ago can be used.

This left the broad audience still holding a 1990s-era impression of European leagues in 2015: Serie A's defense is sharp, the Premier League's technique is rough, the Bundesliga has strong willpower, and La Liga does not play long balls...

The changes in football development are extremely drastic; the five major leagues... should be said, even the Iceland Super League has many teams advocating different playing styles.

Hakan Calhanoglu has many shortcomings.

But his position is dragged back in the formation.

Without interference, his passing accuracy in long-range distribution is extremely stable.

How stable is it?

Among young talents of the same period, only four people can compare with him.

Li Kang was released, and he roamed behind the forward line like the national team!

Lewokusen pressed Arsenal into the penalty area and launched a frenzied siege.

The ball kept flying back and forth on both wings.

Beilalabi clung to Beilailin, spouting trash talk.

Son Heung-min constantly made lateral runs, pulling at the defense.

Jisilin stayed at the front of the formation, jostling with Mertesacker!

Most of Arsenal's defensive strength was focused on tracking Li Kang's runs.

Match time passed second by second.

The viewers in the live stream found it hard to watch.

-【How boring! What are they kicking? Doesn't Lewokusen want to equalize? Not many people are committing to the attack!】

-【Damn! Is Hakan Calhanoglu's position that far back? Need two defensive midfielders to shield him? Even if the distribution is good, lacking attacking points is still useless!】

-【As long as Arsenal maintains its lead advantage, it can gain the initiative in the second leg! If Li Mingdeng scores two away goals! Then even a 0-0 or 1-1 second leg would see Lewokusen qualify for the quarterfinals!】

-【Feeling a bit weird.】

Pitchside.

Boerde's mood grew increasingly relaxed.

"Boss, after Lewokusen switched to a three-center-back, three-defensive-midfield formation, their wide attacking points are actually few!"

Wenger shook his head: "Calhanoglu's long-pass distribution flattened our defense; the central defense will..."

His words had just fallen.

On the pitch, a horrifying scene then occurred.

Beilalabi, finding no breakthrough opportunity on the right flank, quickly passed the ball back to midfield rear!

Arsenal's back line actively shifted toward the left flank!

In a short moment, a gap appeared!

Hakan Calhanoglu is not stupid.

He realized this was an opportunity for a long shot from midfield!

He hesitated for a long time.

He then took a few steps forward, moving his position up.

Upon receiving the ball, he still did not choose to kick it himself.

Instead, he delivered a straight pass.

The ball rolled to Li Kang's left side.

His preferred foot direction!

In God's perspective.

Under Arsenal's back line being pulled left and right by Calhanoglu's distribution, a breach appeared in the middle!

Li Kang shook off Kekelan's entanglement.

He stopped the ball with his left foot, then gently pushed it forward.

Three-step run-up!

Swing the arms!

Lean back!

Kick!

In the field of view, the phantom of the blue number 13 surged forth!

The Chelsea version of Ballack!

Thud!

Accompanied by an extreme explosive roar!

The ball was like a thunderbolt!

In the sky above Emirates Stadium, it traced a strange arc!

Carrying a fierce and domineering momentum!

Howling, it roared toward Arsenal's goal!

Arsenal fans were stunned!

Lewokusen fans held their breath!

Dino and Tuop prepared to celebrate!

Wenger didn't open his coat zipper!

Cech's pupils contracted slightly.

He and Ballack were close buddies during their Chelsea days.

Such an arcing heavy cannon.

The two had practiced this countless times.

He was too familiar.

The familiar shooting motion.

The familiar arc.

Arsenal's goalkeeper lunged forward.

The white gloves pressed together.

Double dragons surge to sea!

Thud!

Another explosive bang rang out.

The football, carrying the force of wind and thunder, was violently forced to change direction!

It flew over the end line!

The stadium fell silent.

Everyone was stunned.

After a few seconds of silence.

At Emirates Stadium, thunderous applause erupted!

«Catch the heavy cannon with both fists! »

«Turn danger into safety in front of the goal! »

«After Čech joined Arsenal! He once again performed the miracle from his Chelsea days! »

«But back then he used only one hand! »

«Wonderful heavy cannon far***color save! »

«17-year-old Li Kang and 33-year-old Čech have given us a great moment! »

By the pitch.

Dino muttered, «Boss, do we still have a chance to equalize? »

Tuopu Laotou eased, smiling: «No problem, that's the script! Even if Li's long shot doesn't turn into a goal, it will force Arsenal's coaching staff to change, and Hakan's cannon‑fodder value will be shown immediately! »

Lewokusen's head coach's plan is simple:

Relying on the away goals advantage rule in the UEFA Champions League two-legged tie.

Arsenal dare not take risks at this stage, can only choose to slow the pace and adopt a defensive posture.

Calhanoglu's wide‑range wing long‑pass distribution will flatten their back line, weakening the central defense and giving Li Kang a chance to fire a heavy shot.

If Arsenal bolster the central defense's thickness, the flanks' Bellarrabe and Son Heung‑min will create explosive threats.

If Arsenal revert to their opening tactics, Lewokusen will instantly shift their organizational focus back onto Li Kang.

If Arsenal divert manpower to restrict the rearmost Calhanoglu's ball distribution, then...

The other side.

Boerde almost wanted to rush up to Čech and shout «Dad» twice!

Wenger wore a worried face.

He saw through Tuop's tactics but couldn't make up his mind.

Passive.

Arsenal fell into a passive state.

The root of all evil is the «away goals advantage rule in the UEFA Champions League».

Čech felt numbness in both hands.

He hurriedly took off his gloves, and the backs of his hands showed a shocking red flush.

He had mixed feelings: luckily it wasn't a straight‑path super heavy cannon like Batistuta's...

In the distance.

Li Kang's expression was very calm.

He had watched Čech's highlights of catching heavy cannons with one hand...

Only one goalkeeper could make a highlight reel of catching heavy cannons.

The match continued.

Arsenal increased the number of players marking Li Kang.

Bellarrabe and Son Heung‑min began a frantic breakthrough on the flanks.

Bellerin and Monreal were weak‑defending full‑backs at this time.

Without support, a single defender simply couldn't hold up!

But once Arsenal widened their defensive width and spread their forces,

the central channel would have to withstand Li Kang's heavy cannon test.

Fortunately Čech performed bravely, repeatedly blocking high shots and defusing danger.

«Lewokusen has the advantage but can't score! »

«If we can bring back an away goal, the situation is still optimistic. »

Calhanoglu felt great.

He hasn't felt this good in a long time!

Held back in the formation, he had two defensive midfielders protecting him.

Undisturbed, his unrestricted distribution was like practicing passes!

Lewokusen's true core is still me!

In a vague moment, hearing the fans chanting his name.

He couldn't help but his sturdy body shuddered.

The match quickly entered its final stage.

Seeing the disciples struggling to hold on, the goal was in peril.

Wenger finally made up his mind.

Boerde stumbled to the sidelines, shouting angrily a few times!

After making the gesture, his arm pointed forcefully at Calhanolu!

After a moment.

The ball king suddenly sensed something was off.

This familiar feeling?

It's hostility!

Must quickly pass the ball!

He hasn't finished adjusting yet!

The solid muscular Sanchez came rushing over!

His thick, bronze-colored thighs carried the force of thunder!

Calhanolu looked terrified, side-stepping to shield the ball!

Bang!

The result was still a painful collapse!

The ball was poked behind him!

Bodyguard?

Where are my two bodyguards?

"Danger!"

"The speed of Cazorla, Giroud, and Ramsey is very fast!"

"Let's see if Arsenal can get the ball!"

"Good! Kramer's positioning choice is very smart! His tendency is to go for the second ball!"

Kramer had no time to control the ball, quickly pushing it to Jonathan T. trailing at the back of the defense!

Lewokusen's central defender's defensive ability is quite poor compared to powerhouse teams!

But his ball-distribution ability is top-notch!

The coaching staff's shouts echoed in his ears: "Pass to Li!"

Not-so-smart German little black, instinctively stuck out his long legs!

Bang!

The ball was like a cannonball!

It hurriedly swept over the Chieftain Stadium's airspace!

It whistled as it fell toward Arsenal's penalty area!

"Beautiful!"

"It went in!"

"Lewokusen's four attacking points!"

"Can they seize this opportunity?"

Arsenal's penalty area was in chaos!

The ball speed was too fast!

In a short time, neither side's players could judge the landing point!

In God's perspective.

Li Kang grasped the ball's trajectory!

Inside the penalty area, he made a cutback run, again shaking off Clark's tight marking!

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the ball's trajectory!

The landing point was not the small penalty area!

But in the right side of the large penalty area!

The moment the ball hit the ground.

Li Kang's figure appeared.

Pa!

His golden left foot couldn't steadily stop such a long-distance high ball.

The ball bounced to his front!

In his view, the figure of the white No. 7 suddenly appeared.

Raul.

The strength of the "One Sword Seals the Throat" module lies not in improving shooting accuracy.

But in the connection between receiving the ball and the shooting motion.

Tuopu Laotou couldn't help but raise his arms and shout!

Wenger anxiously covered his forehead!

Arsenal's penalty area was filled with tension.

The defending players tried to block.

Everything was too late!

The ball left Lewokusen's number 10's left foot.

Flying towards Arsenal's goal!

In a flash.

Cech couldn't see the change in Li Kang's foot shape.

The golden left foot combined with the Raul module's shooting concealment is extremely high!

In the Arsenal goalkeeper's mind, Li Kang's shooting habit surfaced: seven near-corner shots, three far-corner shots!

Correct answer: choose the near corner!

The Premier League coaching staff is extremely intense; before matches they use scientific methods to analyze each opponent player's shooting habit.

But: it's estimated that Li Kang himself doesn't even know his own shooting habit!

No drastic change accompanied by heavenly and earthly omens.

Cech misjudged the direction.

The ball lifted Arsenal's net!

2:2!

!

Someone lamented.

Someone celebrated wildly.

"Beautiful!"

"This ball went in!"

"In the dying stages of the match! Young Li Kang scored twice! Helping the team equalize the score!"

"Two precious away goals! Giving Lewokusen the initiative in qualification!"

"Arsenal paid the price for their conservative tactics!"

"Cech tried his best! The Premier League Golden Glove, Champions League champion goalkeeper, ultimately made a mistake under Lewokusen genius's fierce offensive!"

"From 2-0 to 2-2! Lewokusen completed redemption, bringing the qualification suspense back to Bei lai yin!"

Duan Xuan and He Wei couldn't help but want to slam the table!

At 2-0, they thought Lewokusen was done for!

What can we use to beat Arsenal?

Use Li Kang to win!

Live broadcast room.

The frantic bullet comments, like a rushing river, covered the exciting moments of the goal replay.

-【Li Mingdeng is off the charts! He really won't lose!】

-【Cech can catch heavy shots with one hand, but can't stop the low-driven shot right at his feet!】

-【After Li Kang stops the ball, the motion linking to shooting is very smooth, as if no adjustment needed... the concealment is also high!】

-【Talent aside, shooting quality is indeed not high, but the shooting adjustment speed is fast; historically many mediocre shooters have made a living in the top five leagues relying on this!】

-【You're hyping Lewokusen as if they've already qualified? Bayer Leverkusen stadium's Champions League win rate is low! Next leg Arsenal will find a way! Wilshere hasn't even come on yet!】

Pitchside.

Tuopu Laotou waved his right fist! Ran a lap along the bench.

Dino felt the information load of this match was too big, needing time to digest with the coaching staff, preparing for the second leg.

The other side.

Boerde angrily pounded the turf.

Wenger let out a deep sigh.

Arsenal's road to the Champions League round of sixteen is really rough.

Calhanoglu clutched his foot, moaning nonstop, and planned to complain to the referee, when suddenly he heard waves of cheers!

Goal?

He quickly got up and ran towards the celebrating crowd!

Li Kang smiled at Jonathan Tah and gave a thumbs up.

Teammates all shifted their focus, tackling him to the ground.

Little Black Egg's defensive ability, although not up to elite club standards.

But a centre-back with strong ball-playing ability is the trend in mainstream leagues.

Cech didn't get up immediately, heavily pounding the turf twice.

Cazorla fell into contemplation.

Sanchez had a complex expression.

The mentality is a bit broken.

Arsenal's stars, for a moment unable to accept the change on the scoreboard: that young Lewokusen midfielder... changed the course of the match.

Finally.

The referee blew the whistle for the end of the match.

Arsenal 2:2 Lewokusen!

The qualification suspense will be revealed in the second leg at Bei lai yin!

Wenger and Tuop shook hands and walked together towards the tunnel.

The four stands of Emirates Stadium.

Tens of thousands of fans did not leave immediately, they shouted their own cheering slogans, encouraging the players!

The taste of green orange bubble candy instantly dissipated.

Drowsiness swept over.

Li Kang's posture became somewhat unsteady, and the noisy sounds around him gradually faded.

Everyone hurried to support him.

When they heard the faint purring sound, the teammates finally relaxed.

As after the previous Nou Camp match, the situation was the same; the team doctor did a simple check and indicated there was no problem.

"Li Tai is exhausted, carrying the team forward alone, never complaining or blaming teammates; we must be disciplined! We can't drag him down..."

"Rooney introduced me to a few places..."

"..."

Arsenal bench.

Wilshere put on his coat again, showing no dissatisfaction.

Bei lai yin will soon face a Champions League life-or-death battle.