Chapter 261: Payet's Seed of Revenge

"Below is the introduction of both teams' starting lineups."

"Arsenal's formation is 4-3-3!"

"Goalkeeper: Cech."

"Defenders: Bellerin, Maguire, Mustafi, Monreal."

"Double defensive midfielders: Xhaka, Li Kang."

"Central midfielder: Cazorla."

"Forwards: Walcott, Morata, Sanchez."

-【I, Giroud, didn't play again.】

-【Don't worry, in the upcoming matches against Tottenham, Chelsea, and Manchester City, Koscielny will definitely play.】

-【Last season, Arsenal led by two goals in the first half, but conceded three consecutive goals to the Hammers in the second half!】

"West Ham United's formation is 4-4-2!"

"Goalkeeper: Adrian."

"Defenders: Masuaku, Reid, Collins, Antonio."

"Defensive midfielders: Cresswell, Noble."

"Wide midfielders: Payet, Cuadrat."

"Forwards: Carroll, Ayu!"

-【Carroll, the last 'traditional' English centre-forward.】

-【At present, the Premier League's most authentic tall-and-fast combination.】

-【Never mind, Ayu's speed is not what it used to be; he is gradually transitioning to midfield, so the Hammers' actual formation should be 4-5-1!】

-【No, Payet is a free attacker in the front, so the actual formation is 4-3-3!】

-【Ayu's leaping ability is freakish; his heading ability is unmatched, so this forward duo should still be the 4-4-2 'double ghosts striking the gate'!】

The Emirates Stadium's broadcast suddenly sounded the song "There is only one Arsenal-Wenger".

This song was created at the turn of the century, but as the team drifted further from the Premier League and Champions League trophies... it gradually fell into historical obscurity.

The fans were overjoyed and sang in unison.

A few months ago, this place was still filled with various slogans calling for "Wenger out".

Islington, at this moment it felt as if it had the world's warmest-hearted fans.

Wenger remained calm, completely indifferent to external praise and criticism.

At this moment he only worried about players getting injured on the pitch...

Players from both sides took their positions.

Li Kang repeatedly gestured a few signals to his teammates.

Everyone understood implicitly.

These are quite standard international hand signals that anyone can understand; the coaching staff had also repeated the tactical deployment several times before the match.

Bilic glanced a few times, his heart unmoved.

Even though Arsenal has a two-hundred-million-euro player, they cannot quickly fix the framework's flaws.

In the football world, tactical styles counter each other in a cycle.

With the referee's whistle,

The match officially began.

West Ham United had possession.

Carroll kicked off and then passed back to the defense.

Arsenal's formation quickly pressed forward.

There was no sign of a quick attack.

Both sides appeared to be maintaining distance, probing each other.

The ball flowed smoothly in West Ham United's defensive third; several attempts at advancement were all disrupted by Li Kang, active in the midfield circle.

The scene was somewhat dull.

The Emirates Stadium soon fell quiet, like Stamford Bridge Library.

Time passed slowly.

Both teams were waiting for the most suitable moment to speed up.

Arsenal's front‑line players pressed hard.

West Ham United's attackers were also busy.

For example, Payet.

No longer the modest and polite demeanor from the player tunnel, he circled Li Kang, spouting all kinds of trash talk.

It seemed he wanted to vent all the resentment from the Euro semi‑final in one go.

Li Kang's expression remained calm.

His defensive inclination was not disturbed in any way.

Some experts believe: trash talk can be classified as part of football culture.

For example, in the 2006 World Cup final, Materazzi used the trash talk "I will fuck your **" to successfully provoke Zidane, leaving an iconic moment forever recorded in football history.

"Bilic's team wasn't rushing to attack."

"When Wenger faces teams outside the BIG6, the number of players committing to press in the front is relatively higher."

"West Ham United's two defensive midfielders are very good at relieving pressure... ah, but still can't distribute, the ball goes back to the goalkeeper's feet."

At the moment goalkeeper Adrian trapped the ball, his pupils constricted.

A tall figure strode forward, momentum fierce.

The Hammers' goalkeeper panicked, fiercely shoved the ball, barely dodging Morata's press.

At Emirates Stadium, applause suddenly rang out.

Morata is becoming more well-rounded, his ability to create pressure in the front is strong.

Pa.

The ball arrived at Reed's feet.

Even without Arsenal teammates nearby, he didn't launch a long ball forward.

The Hammers can also be delicate.

After advancing a few meters.

The ball was passed to the winger Paye.

The Hammers suddenly sounded the charge.

The whole formation surged forward frenetically.

Cazola and Walcott decisively flanked.

Paye surged forward, weaving through to cut inside, completely shaking off the two.

"Zidane's successor."

"His traits are too distinct, his position not fixed on the flank, bringing vitality to West Ham United's midfield-front attack!"

"Anticipating and marking his defensive style, it's hard to stop him!"

"

The nickname 'Zidane's successor' wasn't just blown out of thin air.

Paye's growth story is also inspiring.

He once worked as a clothing store clerk, his shirt-folding technique praised by customers.

Last season he put up a 12-goal, 12-assist 'double-double' record, creating threat chances... leading the five major leagues, surpassing De Bruyne, David Silva, Fabregas, etc.

West Ham United's front players quickly widened the attack.

Fiercely eroding Arsenal's half.

The attacking method is simple yet effective.

Pitchside.

Boerde frowned and said: "Boss, they might launch a long pass without advancing into the thirty-meter zone... then they'd directly launch a long pass."

Wenger nodded: "No problem, Maguire and Mustafi are best at handling this kind of attack."

Paye surged ahead, reaching the forty-meter zone.

Carol had already jogged slowly to near Arsenal's central defenders.

Ayou constantly shuffled laterally back and forth.

"One tall, one fast!"

"Arsenal still chose to shift their defensive focus backward."

Zaka couldn't sit still.

This guy's coverage area is small, but his short-range blocking ability is not weak.

Coincidentally, Paye's foothold.

He decisively rushed forward to slide tackle.

There was no fierce struggle as expected.

Paye's ball feel truly approaches Zidane's; his body suddenly stopped, the ball halted, and he watched Arsenal's midfielder sweep past him like a bystander.

West Ham United's attack did not stall.

He passed the ball to the wing's Cresswell.

Indeed.

Cresswell is a defensive midfielder, but in the Hammers' attack he often drifts wide, switching to an attacking wide midfielder.

This is a very interesting team.

Most 'household register' players come from elite youth academies, always missing the national team squad of the Three Lions.

But when blended together, they can unleash the 'rob the rich to help the poor' strength.

"Cresswell's tendency to do this..."

"He's about to loft a long pass into the box!"

"Carol!"

Peng!

The ball left the right foot of the Hammers' defensive midfielder.

Howling, it arced into Arsenal's big penalty area.

The scene resembled West Ham United's goal that broke into Emirates Stadium last season.

Simple.

Practical.

Tall and mighty Carol stopped strolling, surging into Arsenal's penalty area.

At this time he possessed the Premier League's 'most plain' aerial bombardment power.

Honest-looking.

But his private life is a mess.

Beating women.

Li Kang beat teammate Enzebia.

Li Kang beat a passerby.

Li Kang beat teammate Steven Taylor.

Li Kang beat his girlfriend.

Li Kang made the fans so angry they almost burned his car.

Of course, at that time he was extremely talented, and Newcastle Club tolerated everything.

It is absolutely not because Liverpool offered a £35 million bid back then.

Emirates Stadium.

Carroll's striker blood inside him began to boil.

He completed his run-up, instinctively jumped, and his big head fiercely smashed into the falling football!

Bang!

There was no expected header shot.

Because there was a bigger forehead than his, which headed the ball out.

Maguire!

He seemed to turn into a wall, easily neutralizing West Ham United's aerial attack.

"Wow!"

"Someone actually managed to block Carroll in a head-on aerial duel!"

At the sidelines.

Bilic loosened his tie and gradually got into the game.

Don't panic.

Even if West Ham United trailed Arsenal by three goals, they could still catch up.

He himself had plenty of time to make adjustments.

"The ball hasn't been cleared far!"

"Payet!"

The ball fell onto the grass and bounced up on the spot.

Payet lightly stretched out his short leg and thus "touched" the ball.

His superb trap instantly drew cheers from the away fans watching the clash.

"No wonder he's Zidane's successor."

"His trapping technique is too good."

Payet did not rush to kick the ball.

But he suddenly raised his elbow.

Cazorla, who arrived a step late, instantly clutched his face in pain and fell to the ground.

"Huh?"

"This elbow-raising move... the referee didn't signal anything."

"Play continues!"

"Let's see how Payet will handle this ball! Will he kick it directly, or..."

A black-haired figure flashed by.

Payet's Marseille turn, halfway through... the ball disappeared.

The body felt an incredibly overpowering huge force strike.

Bang.

Zidane's successor's feet were suspended in mid-air... like a broken-line kite, he was knocked flying out, his expression twisted.

"Whoosh..."

"Li Kang, a clean and fierce tackle!"

"The referee likewise didn't signal anything!"

"Let's see Arsenal's this transition attack!"

"Huh? Why did it stop? Is Li Kang trying to kick the ball out of bounds to let the fallen Cazorla receive treatment?"

The Irons fans' boos weren't very loud.

Not because of few numbers.

But because after Payet rose to fame in the European Cup group stage, he constantly thought about transferring, and would skip matches and training whenever he had nothing to do.

This broke the hearts of the Irons fans.

Cazorla struggled to get up, waved his hand to indicate he was fine, and signaled Li Kang not to interrupt the match.

Li Kang looked at his midfield old partner whose injury was still light... subconsciously, for no reason, a hint of regret arose.

Pah pah pah.

How can one always think about teammates getting hurt?

We need to unite.

In God's perspective, both sides' formations underwent a drastic change.

He subconsciously could find the most reasonable passing line.

Smack.

The football violently curved, drawing a rainbow-like arc in mid-air, precisely finding Bellerín making a run down the flank.

Bellerín, this guy, used to think all day about returning to Barcelona.

But now my mind is very clear: following Li can win the championship.

Returning to Barcelona, I might not even get to play in the Europa League.

As Arsenal players run.

The ball is like a mischievous sprite, constantly jumping on the pitch!

Not just ground short passes!

And elegant arcs in midair!

No hesitation at all!

One touch!

Wall-pass!

The dense passing lines formed a blade!

Easily pierced West Ham United's defense!

Exquisite.

Arsenal and West Ham United's attacking styles are simply two extremes.

"Mercury-like passing and cutting fast break!"

"So smooth! So gorgeous!"

"No extra passing lanes! All Arsenal players are carrying out Wenger's football philosophy."

"West Ham United's defense can't hold much longer!"

Payet struggled to get up, painfully rubbing his chest.

He then recklessly rushed toward his own backfield.

This guy's ball skills are poor, but his competitive attitude is very positive.

Bellerín, near the right baseline of West Ham United's penalty area, received the pass again.

He couldn't remember how many times he had switched positions.

Colins and I Antonio double-teamed him.

After all, he's an excellent product of La Masia, his grasp of passing timing is perfect.

A flick of the calf.

The ball lifted off the ground.

Like a scythe, it cut down West Ham United's low defensive line.

At the end of its trajectory.

Morata's head appeared!

"Reid missed his man!"

"Morata!"

"Header!"

Critical moment.

Goalkeeper Adrian fiercely kicked the turf!

West Ham United's coaching staff had analyzed Morata's header characteristics.

As long as...

Smack!

But the ball didn't blast straight toward the goal!

Instead, it was laid off to the penalty spot.

The figure of Arsenal's number 10, as the ball fell..., became the focus of the shot.

Natural passing and running combination.

The spectators in the nearby stands couldn't help but open their mouths.

Nobody would doubt: as long as Li Kang lightly lifts his foot, he can score easily.

Not that easy.

And what about Payet!

This guy sprinted straight all the way, already positioned in the box early.

The seed of revenge sprouted at this moment.

The gleaming studs fiercely kicked toward Li Kang's shin.

Everyone's hearts suddenly tightened.

This is a cripple's move.

Bilic furrowed his brow, showing incomprehension.

Wenger felt like he'd fallen into an ice cellar.

Compared to winning or losing, he cared more about the two hundred million... Li Kang's health.

The impending bloody moment did not arrive as expected.

True Eye burst forth.

God's perspective controlled all movements on the field.

The shadows in the brain spread wildly.

No space to kick and shoot.

Li Kang made a side turn to pull the ball, his supporting foot alternating in the turn, a simple and honest move... causing Payet's studs to kick at air.

Smack.

The ball rolled out lightly from behind him.

Bruised and swollen-faced Cazorla appeared at the top of the arc, unmarked.

He had plenty of time to aim at the goal.

His feet were balanced.

A light chip.

The ball lofted a slight curve... stirring the net of West Ham United.

Adrian was powerless to turn the tide.

1-0!

!

Emirates Stadium, for a moment they hadn't come to their senses.

"Beautiful!"

"A seamless passing combination!"

"You could never guess which player would be the finishing point of this Arsenal side."

"West Ham United's defensive line was in disarray."

"Li Kang's heel pass back was so exquisite!"

"He assisted Cazorla, breaking the deadlock on the field!"