Chapter 333

Since 2003, Arsenal's shares have changed hands multiple times.

Back then, Usmanov had not yet dipped his fingers into Arsenal, and Kroenke didn't own a single share.

Abu was instantly attracted to the splendid, attacking football of the Gunners.

In the Premier League, they always finish either first or second, so there's no need to fight for fourth place, and they qualify for the Champions League every year.

He immediately had the Swiss bank UBS conduct an investigation.

The result was: "No matter how much money you spend on Arsenal, you can't buy it; it's not a matter of money,"

Then-Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, upon hearing this news, nearly spat blood, and in his heart he cursed the Swiss bank investigators ten thousand times!

Everyone knows how terrifying Arsenal were in those two seasons, going undefeated and winning the Golden Ball.

If you add Abramovich's investment, the Premier League would have spawned a red-and-white terror monster ahead of schedule!

Too late.

Abramovich spent only 20 minutes and then shelled out 1.4 billion pounds to complete the purchase of Chelsea.

You know, in 1982, Bates bought Chelsea for just 1 pound...

The idea is wonderful.

Actually, Arsenal's original board was a group of old English aristocrats.

Abramovich had no patience to wait for their long, drawn-out discussions.

Still, Chelsea's board is better—simple and brutal.

Who should Chelsea thank?

We should thank Gélánxià'ěr.

This guy, in the final match of the 2002-03 Premier League season, with one assist and one goal defeated Liverpool, enabling Chelsea to earn Champions League qualification, prompting Abramovich to complete the purchase, Stamford Bridge entered lavish mode, and from then on a blue beast was born on the Premier League stage.

However, Gélánxià'ěr's later fate was a bit rough.

He suffered greatly from depression.

Teammates rumored: the cause might be related to his fondness for practicing headers; he wasn't very good at heading.

Another heading case was added to FIFA's records, indirectly prompting the youth academies of the five major leagues to ban underage players from practicing headers.

Setting aside the bloody incident of Wenger's thousand-match milestone.

At this point, although Arsenal and Chelsea are in the same city, their relationship isn't considered tense.

They were even jokingly called: "London one family."

Multiple transfers occurred between the two clubs.

For example: the loaned Benayoun, and the cheap Cech.

Fans on Asian internet forums also threw out more exaggerated remarks: "Che na one family, London sisters."

However, the stadium guides of both sides still kept mocking each other.

Pre-match press conference.

The reporters suddenly discovered that Chelsea's player representative had been replaced by Fabregas.

They flocked forward to ask questions.

"Fabregas, do you have anything to say about being back in the squad today? Any issues between you and Conte?"

Fabregas shook his head: "I have no problems with Conte; he's like Guardiola—just strictly follow their tactical arrangements, you don't need to ask why."

"This style of head coach will let you unknowingly win the championship."

The media room is very small.

It's not that Abramovich is stingy.

It's because back then Liverpool and Brighton complained that Stamford Bridge's away dressing room was too small.

Abramovich, in anger, expanded the away dressing room's area! Reduced the media room's area.

He also installed ten showerheads in the away dressing room!

You know, the home dressing room only has six showerheads!

At the same time.

Wenger and Conte also came to the press conference venue.

Their relationship is very good.

Early in Conte's coaching career, people called him: Wenger's successor.

And he himself often said: Wenger is one of the greatest coaches.

"Arsenal are the favorites for the title; this kind of match doesn't need me to give a pep talk—Chelsea's players will be full of drive for the championship."

"Conte led the three-center-back tactical craze; Chelsea might be the strongest opponent Arsenal have faced this season."

Stamford Bridge Stadium.

Some blue-army fans began singing "Blue Is The Colour".

The cheerful, playful tune sounds like a children's song.

In the stands, a huge Chelsea team flag tifo came down with a boom.

The Stamford Bridge library, at this moment, also turned into a blue beast.

"KeeptheBlueFlagFlyingHigh!"

""!

The blue flag fluttered in the night wind.

The players' posters were held high.

Chelsea fans of that era... were happy.

"CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!"

The live broadcast for you is the 2016-17 season Premier League spotlight match!

Chelsea host Arsenal.

Four years ago, Wenger's thousand-match milestone was precisely a 6-0 bloodbath inflicted by Chelsea.

Can he wipe away the past disgrace tonight?

Let's wait and see!

The Premier League showdown is about to begin!

The thousand-match celebration was slaughtered, just like an 80th birthday...

The thousand-match milestone match of that year confirmed another of Wenger's curses: every time he coached a hundred matches... he couldn't win.

The 600th match lost to Eindhoven.

The 700th match lost to Porto.

The 800th match lost to Birmingham.

The 900th match drew with Norwich.

The 1000th match was slaughtered by Chelsea.

Of course.

In recent seasons, Arsenal have not yet completed their revenge, only managing a 1-0 win over Chelsea in the Community Shield.

The best result in the remaining matches was a draw.

In the previous Premier League season, they were even double-killed by the opponent.

Player tunnel.

Cech instinctively stood in the first row of the Chelsea lineup.

He hesitated, turned his head and made eye contact with Terry... only then realizing he had stood in the wrong team.

He quickly scratched his tank cap, then returned to the Arsenal lineup.

The players from both sides couldn't help laughing loudly, only Courtois had a cold expression.

Li...

Li Kang heard someone calling him, looked down, and saw it was the shy Kanté.

The two laughed and bumped fists.

In the Euro semi-final, the short little black egg left a deep impression on him.

In a sense, Kanté is the ideal midfield partner for Li Kang in this era.

Moments later.

The lineup moved.

The referee team led the players from both sides out of the tunnel.

Every Chelsea player will reach out to touch the Chelsea crest on the wall.

The meaning of this action is simple: they love Chelsea deeply, hoping the crest will bring them luck.

Only Kanté did not touch it.

It's not that he doesn't love Chelsea deeply.

He's just too short to reach it.

Next, let me introduce the starting lineups for both sides!

Chelsea's formation is 3-4-3!

Goalkeeper: Courtois.

Defenders: Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta.

Midfielders: Moses, Kanté, Fabregas, Marcos Alonso.

Forwards: Hazard, Batshuayi, William!

Live broadcast room.

The number of viewers keeps increasing.

-【Hazard and William haven't been moved to the forward position in a long time!】

-【Actually the formation is 3-6-1!】

-【I haven't watched Chelsea's matches much this season; is Batshuayi reliable?】

-【Reliable? Any player transferred from Marseille to Chelsea— which one isn't reliable?】