Chapter 115: The Start (Part 1)

Although Nottingham Forest is just a newly promoted team and their opponent Arsenal is the defending champion, it is no exaggeration to say that this game is the most popular match in this round of the Premier League.

Sky TV selected this game to broadcast live to England. I believe that even if it is not an Arsenal fan, there are many people who are interested in whether this 25-year record can be broken.

"Forty-three, this is a very attractive number. As long as Wenger's team does not lose to Nottingham Forest here, they will set a brand new record. But Arsenal should be careful, which is also a sweet trap." Taylor sat in the commentary seat and told the audience his analysis of the game through the microphone. "I don't think Coach Tony Donn will watch his opponent score three points at the Forest's home court."

Andy Gray added next to it: "Yes, he's like a bulldog."

"Andy, a very vivid metaphor."

The pair laughed.

The two commentators could take the time to joke, but the players on the field didn't even have time to take a breath. The game entered the state the moment the whistle sounded.

The result of guessing the coin was that Arsenal got the serve. But they just drove the football out less than a minute before the ball was lost. Of course, the Forest team didn't get it either...

Because he replaced Vieira's position, the young Fabregas must have the responsibility to organize the offense. Most of Arsenal's balls have to be handed over to his feet, and this is even more so for the kickoff.

But when Fabregas had just stopped the ball, he saw the No. 13 George Wood who was rushing up from the opposite side.

In this game, Done’s task for Wood was to watch Fabregas, and if he had any spare time, he would help Albertini. Although Fabregas is still young, it may be in the eyes of others. Done cares about that child so much. But Done himself knows the energy of this child, and if someone ignores it, he will suffer sooner or later.

Albertini's mission also focuses more on defense. After all, Forests faces Arsenal with super attack power in this game. The league has only started two rounds, and Arsenal has scored nine goals, defeated Everton 4:1 and defeated Middlesbrough 5:3.

The starting lineup sent by Arsenal in this game is basically not much different from the first two rounds. Goalkeeper German Lehman and left-back Lauren. The central defender was not hurt by Campbell, Sigan and Toure were partnered with him, and the left-back was Ashley Cole. The four people arranged by Arsenal were Pennant, Gilberto Silva, Fabregas and Pire. The forwards were partnered with their captain Henry and veteran Borgkamp.

This lineup should be energetic and experienced. Judging from the strength of the two teams, Wenger does not think that the Forest will be a strong opponent. What makes him feel a little uneasy is that Arsenal plays at home for the Forest, and according to rumors, Tony Donn attaches great importance to home games.

In addition. Judging from Donne's series of performances before the game, Wenger would not think that the Forests would make Arsenal comfortable and set a new record at home.

In this game, he hopes to put the rhythm on his own track at the beginning of the game, and the next thing is simple. Arsenal, his subordinates are always good at controlling the situation and letting the game enter his own rhythm. Entering the rhythm of Arsenal...

But obviously Don Eun also knows this very well. He never wanted to give up the rhythm of the game from the beginning. Don’t Arsenal like to control the scene? Didn’t he emphasize beautiful football? My team has no other skills, so he can destroy first-class!

George Wood is in good health and in good health. Just let him take charge of the sabotage. Recognize Fabregas and deal with him like in the youth team.

Judging from the situation in the opening few dozen seconds, Wood is very good.

The Spanish teenager had just stopped the football, and Wood had rushed to him. He quickly flashed the ball, intending to swipe past the aggressive opponent, but Wood's left foot dragged behind and hit the foot of Fabregas. The football was hit by the ball. But the man stayed. The referee's whistle sounded very timely, and the applause from the stands was not for him, but for George Wood.

Who doesn’t like the players who have trained their own youth team and have firmly taken the main position in the first team?

Seeing Fabregas tripped by George Wood, Wenger sat on the coach's seat and glanced at Tony Donn. I wondered if this would be the tactical tone of the Forests in this game?

He decided to observe for another ten minutes.

In these ten minutes, Forests completely implemented Don En's "destructive" tactics. He never thought of overwhelming Arsenal in offense, or comparing with Arsenal who has a higher possession rate. Whoever passes one kick more times... If Arsenal likes to play comfortably, Forests will not let you get what you want.

Don En asked the team to actively press with the goalkeeper. From the frontcourt, we must not let Arsenal pass, control, and carry the ball. Otherwise, the Forest will only be left to follow others to chase the ball.

If the Forest team wants to compete with Arsenal today, there is only this way to go.

In the tactical preparation class the day before, Tang En spent a red line on the tactical board, right in front of the top of the opponent's penalty area. He told the players that this was the Forest's first line of defense. "Defense starts from the opponent's penalty area." He said that, and the players did the same.

Ten minutes, ten minutes, when the score of this game was played at the bottom of the screen, it was still 0:0. Arsenal had a slight advantage in ball possession, 54% vs 46%, shots, Arsenal twice, and the Forest team was once. The Forest team had four fouls, and Arsenal did not.

This simple data statistics are enough to summarize what happened on the field in the past ten minutes?

The Arsenal admirers in front of the TV did not see the refreshing victory they expected, or the typical Arsenal-style game. Mistakes, fouls, and the whistle to interrupt the game from time to time. The forest fans in the stands sing louder and louder... What else?

King Henry of Highbury broke through the left and then cut inside and shot? Pirey's skillful pass and run between the left and Henry? Pennant's sharp breakthrough on the wing? Borgkamp's amazing skills? Ashley Cole's back insertion assist?

No, nothing.

Done may be the one in the world who knows Wenger's trust and value to Fabregas the most besides Wenger himself. He knows that Vieira's injury may be considered bad news in the hearts of Arsenal fans, but for Wenger, this is an opportunity to make Fabregas legitimately establish his position.

Arsenal's offense must be initiated by Fabregas. All the balls in the offense will be given to him first, and then he will decide the direction and method of the offense, whether to hit the back of a long pass or penetrate the short pass, and advance layer by layer; whether to seize the opportunity to counterattack quickly, or to stabilize first wait for the teammates to support it... All of these were handed over to Franceske Fabregas, who was only seventeen years old.

Such a great task, but he did not replace him because he was young. Since he replaced Vieira's position on the field, he had to fulfill his responsibilities like Vieira.

In Arsenal's first two rounds of victory, although Fabregas did not score, his role on the court was indeed obvious to all. Some media have begun to impatiently put the title of "Viela successor" on the Spanish boy.

Done asked George Wood to implement a man-to-man defense against Fabregas. No matter where the man is, as long as he receives the ball, he must push him up as soon as possible, and don't be afraid of losing his defense. When Wood pressed up to defend Fabregas, Ribery had to make up for the middle lane.

First of all, we can't let Arsenal enter the familiar rhythm, and then the Forests look for opportunities to fight back in the chaos... It depends entirely on Albertini's level. Donn believes in Italians, just like George Wood. The Forest's shot ten minutes into the game was a long pass after Albertini's steal in the backcourt.

Seeing the game develop like this, Wenger can be sure what Tony Don is thinking. But instead of getting up and walking to the sidelines to make any adjustments, he turned his head to the assistant coach Pat_rice sitting next to him and said: "What do you think, Pat?"

"I think Donn is no different from most other opponents in tactics against us." Rice expressed his opinion.

"If the game is only ten minutes, he will do better than other opponents."

"What changes are going to be made, Arthur?"

"No..." Wenger put his chin on his palm and shook his head, "No, it's too early. Their tactics also have shortcomings. Every time the No. 13 stepped forward to defend Fabregas, there would be time behind him... Observe and observe, if Seske can't handle it alone, let Dennis help him."
Chapter completed!