Chapter 381: Undefeated Gold Cup? (Daily Transition)

The penalty shootout hasn't been around long in football history.

In the 1968 European Championship semi‑final, Italy eliminated the former Soviet Union by a coin toss.

The final ended in a draw against the former Yugoslavia as well.

The opponent firmly refused to continue the coin toss!

UEFA ultimately decided to replay the match.

It was not until the 1978 European Championship that the penalty shootout was formally introduced.

Life is like taking a penalty kick.

Baggio deeply understood this saying; in the 1994 World Cup he replicated Maradona's feat, single‑handedly dragging Italy into the final.

All that remained was the regretful image of him missing the penalty.

Wembley Stadium, FA Cup semi‑final.

Arsenal and Tottenham entered the penalty‑shootout stage, which was also the highest‑rated segment.

The fans were extremely nervous.

Nobody wanted their club's season‑long efforts to go to waste.

"Arsenal captain Mertesacker was the first to step up to the spot—beautiful! He smashed the ball straight into the centre of the goal!"

"Tottenham's Lamela stepped up first—oh dear! He over‑adjusted, and Cech easily saved the shot!"

"Welbeck, the build‑up was a bit too much... and it went in!"

"The goddess of victory was smiling at the Gunners!"

"Ari's spoon‑penalty... didn't fool Cech!"

"..."

"In the fourth round, if Cazorla scores this penalty, the match will be over!"

"Beautiful!"

"The ball's in!"

"Arsenal knocked out Tottenham and qualified for the 2016/17 FA Cup final!"

The Gunners who had been standing shoulder‑to‑shoulder in the centre circle suddenly sprang forward, rushing toward Cazorla and Cech.

Morata ran the fastest; he was the penalty‑taker in the final round.

The coaching staff members also couldn't help raising both fists.

Wembley Stadium, the Arsenal anthem rang out.

Pop.

Li Kang and his assistant closed the tablet.

"This Arsenal side absolutely deserves a championship trophy!"

"No, at least two!"

"If we beat Guardiola's Manchester City at home the day after tomorrow, we'll be Premier League champions!"

His assistant looked expectant.

Before 2016, the Premier League championship trophy was called the Barclays Cup.

Because Barclays became the Premier League's title sponsor in 2004.

After this year's sponsorship deal expires, the league championship trophy will be cast by a royal jeweler, making the cup and base a little heavier than before.

But it hasn't been cast yet.

Because Arsenal could very well finish the season unbeaten, the cup's material must be changed to pure gold!

Wenger is very likely to win his second "Premier League Golden Cup" in his career.

After lengthy discussion, the English FA decided that the championship trophy would be awarded on May 21, the final day of the Premier League season.

Without finishing the season, no one knows whether Arsenal will receive a gold cup or a silver one!

There's also a tiny chance: if Arsenal lose all of their last six league matches, they'd miss out on the Premier League title.

Night fell quietly.

A business car drove along the street.

"Right."

"Robert brought you some gifts—Yin Biliya ham and olive oil..."

"I say you miss the black bread from Bei Lai Yin more."

"Don't eat his stuff—at this crucial moment you must strictly follow the Leverkusen recipe! Get ready for battle!"

The assistant had a lot to say.

If anyone wanted to listen, he could chat all night.

Li Kang smiled and nodded.

With victory imminent, he wouldn't bother about what was happening outside.

The most important thing right now is to win the championship together with the coaching staff and teammates.

Premier League, thirty‑third round.

Arsenal vs. Manchester City.

Guardiola led the Blue Moon Legion to North London.

As soon as they entered the pre‑match press conference venue, the reporters could hardly wait.

"Mr. Guardiola, your team has gone through several formation changes this season..."

Manchester City's head coach suddenly grew serious.

"Europe is undergoing a tactical revolution."

Chelsea's Kanté, he no longer focuses on interceptions and clearing as he did during his Leicester City days; Conte has developed his attacking ability.

Liverpool's forward Firmino often drops back to the centre-back position to distribute the ball when the team advances.

Arsenal's Li, he is the embodiment of a midfielder turned forward.

Southampton's Van Dijk, if he can stay healthy, will become the centre-back best suited to football's development; his ability has greatly improved this season.

Many players are developing towards these four types of players; this is the trend.

Football is a game of space; players' positions on the pitch are becoming increasingly vague... formations will become increasingly unfixed.

Seeing that Manchester City's head coach is about to launch into a long-winded speech again.

Considering the time limit of the press conference, the spokesperson could only interject...

The reporters listened, feeling unsatisfied.

In comparison.

Wenger's remarks were very simple.

Li's condition is very good.

He will start today.

Immediately.

Applause thundered at the press conference venue.

The €100 million man hasn't appeared in two consecutive matches, and the pull of front-page headlines across major English media has greatly diminished.

The player tunnel.

There is no tense, sword-drawn atmosphere.

The recovered David Silva warmly embraced his national teammates.

He whispered: "Li, I feel my condition is fine; I can still accompany you in the Confederations Cup."

Cazorla lightly punched the Blue Moon midfield: "Don't talk nonsense; we can still accompany Li in the World Cup."

Although the two magicians don't produce eye-catching secondary stats, their on-field impact is very clear.

Li Kang also couldn't help but reminisce about his unstoppable run in the European Cup.

De Bruyne wore a smile, as Guardiola's pre-match setup had no unconventional tactical experiment: aside from letting Fernandinho play as a full-back...

Manchester City as a whole is on an ever-improving developmental path.

He looks forward to an evenly matched contest.

Emirates Stadium.

Flags fluttering.

Arsenal legends arrived one by one.

The Kroenke father and son supervised the match on site.

Sir Keith Wilkins and Gazidis were full of anticipation.

The club's championship celebration was set for the final Premier League matchday, after all the trophy's material—whether pure gold or pure silver—was still undecided.

The higher-ups have decided: greatly increase the bonus ratio, rewarding the players and coaching staff.

CTV5! CTV5! Good evening, viewers!

Now broadcasting live is the 33rd round of the 2016/17 Premier League season!

Arsenal home versus Manchester City!

If the Gunners win tonight, they will clinch the title five rounds early!

Can Guardiola accomplish stopping the invincible champions?

Let's wait and see!

Accompanied by a roar like a collapsing mountain and tsunami.

The referee crew led the players of both sides out of the tunnel.

The entire Emirates Stadium was covered in red and white.

The Premier League title is within sight!

Next, we introduce the starting lineups of both sides.

Arsenal's formation is 4-2-3-1!

Goalkeeper: Čech.

Defenders: Bellerín, Maguire, Koscielny, Monreal.

Double pivot: Zakaria, Li Kang.

Attacking midfielders: Sánchez, Cazorla, Walcott.

Striker: Giroud!

Manchester City's formation is 4-1-4-1!

Goalkeeper: Caballero.

Defenders: Fernandinho, Kompany, Otamendi, Christensen.

Single defensive midfielder: Yaya Touré.

Attacking midfielders: Sané, De Bruyne, David Silva, Sterling.

Striker: Agüero!