Chapter 322: Another curse? (Everyday transition)

Some Wimbledon fans were very dissatisfied with the result of the draw.

Angry profanity was mixed into the singing at the Chieftain's Stadium.

Wilshere, plagued by recurring injuries, was taken off early.

He sat on the bench, covering his face with his jersey, unable to hide his dejection, seemingly realizing that even after his loan ended and he returned to Arsenal, he could not compete for a starting spot.

Young player Aké was named man of the match, contributing several brilliant clearances that thwarted the attacks of Sánchez, Cazorla, and others, and he was now enjoying the loud applause of the away fans.

Competitive sports are cruel.

The new generation buries the old.

Li Kang and Morata were never substituted on from start to finish.

In the coaching staff's view: the two had gotten plenty of rest...

Wenger seemed unconcerned about the draw's score; when the final whistle blew, he walked shoulder‑to‑shoulder with Eddie Howe toward the tunnel.

This scene made media reporters even more convinced: Bournemouth's young head coach would surely be the successor to the Gunners' manager.

Arsenal legends were very dissatisfied with the draw's result.

Many of them serve as sports media commentators and advisors.

The first to speak up was Robson of TalkSPORT: "Li Kang has gone a whole match without scoring—does he deserve his £200 million price tag? Let's look at the data; I see absolutely no impact from him on the pitch—zero shots, zero threatening passes, zero touches… Well… he didn't even play."

Wright said: "Spring is coming; this draw is a turning point in the title race, and Arsenal's leadership needs to seriously consider renewing Wenger's contract."

Gilberto Silva added: "It's time for Wenger to leave the team."

Viera and others also jumped in to criticize.

Wenger often faces the 'cannon fire' of his former protégés; this scene is full of magical realism... even The Sun can't fathom the thought processes of these Gunners legends...

On the contrary, the well‑known Arsenal hater and Manchester United legend Neville jumped out to voice support:

"Arsenal still leads the Premier League table; if Pogba's performance were as steady as Li's, I'd streak naked outside Old Trafford!"

"If Wenger left Arsenal, he might live better; FIFA has plenty of important posts waiting for him."

Li Kang returned to his bedroom at home.

A phantom treasure chest gradually appeared before his eyes.

【Ding, congratulations on completing the Premier League regular matchday task.】

【Task reward: Premier League Golden Treasure Chest.】

【The treasure chest is opening...】

【Congratulations on obtaining: Dorset County cherry ×1.】

【No stat bonuses, but the juicy, fresh cherry will make you feel happy.】

Li Kang now had an extra bag of cherries in his hand.

Its surface was damp, looking as if it had just been picked.

He ate one, and instantly the history of Bournemouth club flashed in his mind...

Days passed like that.

Li Kang's life remained plain—just training and watching videos each day.

As the Champions League round‑of‑16 second leg approached, even his agency dared not schedule any endorsement shoots.

The teammates who used to play football games together grew fewer and fewer.

Morata fell head over heels in love; while at Juventus, he met a designer through an online romance.

Xhaka's situation was similar; his girlfriend is a national‑treasure‑level beauty from the Balkan Peninsula, Lai Aonita.

As expected, both teammates will hold their weddings this summer.

Meanwhile,

The coaching staff was intensively preparing for the Champions League.

Arsenal's upcoming schedule is grueling; three days after the Champions League second leg, they must still go to Stamford Bridge to challenge the Blues, Chelsea.

The Champions League matchday arrived.

Tuopu Laotou walked out of the arrival gate, gazing at London's overcast sky, his heart heavy.

He had no forwards available to use.

Balotelli fractured his right foot two days ago after climbing a wall and falling...

No one knows why he decided to climb over the wall of his own yard and go out.

Lewokusen's midfield combination, which had been honed over half a season, also suffered a setback: when James Rodríguez shaved his leg hair, he nicked a wound that became infected and swelled into a large lump, making even his socks unwearable.

Fans expressed understanding, since bizarre injury cases in European football history are plentiful—for example, Busquets' father burned his hand grabbing an iron bare‑handed... Ferdinand hurt his knee ligaments from poor posture while gaming...

"Boss, football is round—we need to show momentum in North London!"

Dino comforted him.

Tuopu Laotou waved his hand: "Li has already figured out how to crack our tactical system…"

Without saying more, the Lewokusen head coach vigorously rubbed his face, putting on a rebellious demeanor again in front of his disciples.

CTV5 live broadcast room.

Duan Xuan was also conducting the pre‑match warm‑up:

"Arsenal has gone seven years without reaching the Champions League quarter‑finals."

"In the previous Premier League round, the Gunners, who fielded their full strength, were actually held to a draw at home by the Cherry Army."

"In contrast, Lewokusen performed better, defeating their formidable rival Borussia Mönchengladbach by a large margin in the Bundesliga."

"The second‑leg encounter still holds qualification suspense!"

"The match is about to begin—let's wait and see."

Danmu gradually covered the screen.

-【It turns out Arsenal haven't made the Champions League quarter-finals in so many years? How do they have so many fans?】

-【Li Mingdeng cannot be overturned; as long as the squad strength isn't too lopsided, there's no need to repeatedly deconstruct the opponent's tactical system—he is the god of advantageous situations.】

-【The match between Bayern and Tottenham over there is ending... aggregate score 10-1, truly·King of London!】

-【Stop hyping Bayern; back in the Bundesliga they still get beaten by Mönchengladbach just the same, right?】

One hour later.

The match officially begins.

A drone pulling a huge banner drifted over the Chieftain Stadium.

Arsenal fans were wildly excited, nervously anticipating the moment of advancement.

"Arsenal's starting lineup hasn't changed much."

"On Leverkusen's side, Havertz is deployed as striker!"

"The match isn't as intense as the first leg."

"Leverkusen's whole team is dropping back, forming an impenetrable bus formation."

Minute 14 of the match.

Li Kang shook off Jonathan Tah on the right side of the penalty area and delivered a highly concealed, exquisite through pass.

Leverkusen's penalty area seemed to turn into a rectangular cake, sliced by a sharp diagonal trajectory!

Left side of the goal.

Sanchez rushed in and lightly extended his left foot.

The ball then slipped under Lai Nuo's armpit and flew into the net.

1-0!

!

Minute 28 of the match.

Leverkusen finally got a counterattack opportunity.

Havertz doesn't seem to like the striker position much.

After receiving the ball in the midfield circle, his counterattack line inexplicably leaned to the right...

This gave Koscielny and Maguire ample time to take up their positions.

Eventually.

The ball was cleared out of touch.

The match gradually lost its suspense.

Leverkusen, already three goals down, saw their attacking threat greatly diminish after losing the terrifying powerhouse striker Balotelli.

Arsenal's attacks came wave after wave.

Only Morata and Welbeck repeatedly missed chances, and Giroud also blazed over a sitter.

Eventually.

Beep! Beep-beep~

The referee blew the whistle for the full match.

Arsenal 4-0 Leverkusen.

The years of gloom hanging over the Gunners were completely dispelled.

After seven years, Arsenal qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals once again!