Chapter 227: Volume 3: Red Forest Beginning (Part 1)
Although Nottingham Forest is just a newly promoted team, and their opponent Arsenal is the defending champion, it should be no exaggeration to say that this game is the most watched game of this round of the Premier League.
Sky TV selected this game to broadcast live to the whole of England. I believe that even if they are not Arsenal fans, there are many people who are interested in whether this 25-year-old record can be broken.
"Forty-three, that's a tempting number. As long as Arsene Wenger's men don't lose here to Nottingham Forest, they will set a new record. But Arsenal be careful, it's also a sweet trap. "Taylor sat in the commentary booth and started working, telling the audience his analysis of the game through the microphone. "I don't think Coach Tony Twain will just watch his opponent score three points at Forest's home court."
Andy Gray added: "Yeah, he's like a bulldog."
"Andy, a very vivid metaphor."
The pair laughed.
The two commentators could find time to joke around, but the players on the field didn't even have time to catch their breath. The moment the whistle sounded, the game entered the state.
The result of the coin guessing was that Arsenal got the right to serve. But less than a minute after they had just kicked the football out, the ball was lost. Of course, the Forest team did not get...
Because he replaced Vieira's position, the young Cesc Fabregas must bear the heavy responsibility of organizing the offense. Most of Arsenal's balls must be handed over to him, especially the kick-off.
But just as Cesc Fabregas stopped the ball, he saw No. 13 George Wood rushing up from the opposite side.
In this game, Twain gave Wood the task of watching Fabregas, and if he still had energy, he would help Albertini. Even though Cesc Fabregas was still young, perhaps in the eyes of others, it was incomprehensible for Tang En to care so much about that child. But Tang En knew this kid's energy well, if he was left alone, he would suffer a lot sooner or later.
Albertini's task is also more focused on defense. After all, the Forest team is facing the super-aggressive Arsenal in this game-the league has only started two rounds, and Arsenal has scored nine goals, 4:1. Victory over Everton, 5:3 victory over Middlesbrough.
The starting lineup sent by Arsenal in this game is basically not much different from the previous two rounds. Goalkeeper Lehmann from Germany, left back Lauren, center back is not good because of Campbell's injury, Sigan and Toure partner, left back is Ashley Cole. The four midfielders arranged by Arsenal are Pennant, Gilberto Silva, Cesc Fabregas and Pires. The forward partners are their captain Henry and veteran Bergkamp.
This lineup must be vigorous and vigorous, and it must have experience. Judging from the comparison of the strengths of the two teams, Wenger does not think that the Forest team will be such a strong opponent at all. What made him feel a little uneasy was that Arsenal was playing at Forest's home court, and according to rumors, Tony Twain attached great importance to home games.
In addition, judging from Twain's series of performances before the game, Wenger would not think that the Forest team would allow Arsenal to comfortably set a new record at home.
In this game, he hopes to put the rhythm into his track at the beginning of the game, and the next thing is very simple. His Arsenal have always been good at controlling the situation, letting the game enter its own rhythm, entering the rhythm of Arsenal...
But obviously Twain also understands this very well. From the very beginning, he never wanted to give up the rhythm of the game. Don't Arsenal like to control the scene? Isn't it emphasizing beautiful football? My team doesn't have any other skills, it's top-notch in terms of destruction!
George Wood has good physical fitness and excellent body, so let him be responsible for the destruction. Look for Cesc Fabregas and treat him like you did in the youth team.
Judging from the situation in the opening tens of seconds, Wood did a good job.
Just as the Spanish teenager stopped the football, Wood had already rushed in front of him. He nimbly dodged and smashed the ball, intending to sway this menacing opponent, but Wood's left foot dragged behind and hooked Cesc Fabregas' foot. The football is deducted, but the people stay. 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 a player who has been trained by his own youth team and is firmly in the main position in the first team?
Seeing Fabregas being tripped by George Wood, Wenger sat on the coach's bench and glanced at Tony Twain. I thought this would be the tactical tone of the Forest team in this game?
He decided to observe for another ten minutes.
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During these ten minutes, the forest team thoroughly implemented Tang En's "destructive" tactics. He never wanted to overwhelm Arsenal in offense, or who has a higher ball possession rate than Arsenal, who has more passes with one kick... If Arsenal likes to play comfortably, the Forest team will not. Let you get what you want.
Twain asked everyone in the team, except the goalkeeper, to actively press down and defend layer by layer from the frontcourt. Arsenal must not be allowed to pass the ball, control it, or lead it up. Otherwise, the forest team will only be left behind to chase the ball.
If the current Forest team wants to compete with Arsenal, there is only one way to go.
In the tactical preparation class the day before, Twain drew a red line on the tactical board, just in front of the top of the opponent's penalty area. He told the players that this was the forest team's first line of defense. "The defense starts in the opponent's box." He said so, and the players did the same.
Ten minutes, a full ten minutes, when the score of the game was displayed at the bottom of the screen, it was still 0:0. Arsenal has a slight advantage in ball possession rate, 54% to 46%, and Arsenal has two shots and Forest once. For the number of fouls, Forest had four and Arsenal had none.
This simple statistic is enough to summarize what happened on the field in the past ten minutes?
The Arsenal wannabes in front of the TV didn't see the hearty victory they were expecting, or the typical Arsenal-style game. Mistakes, fouls, the whistle that interrupted the game sounded from time to time, the forest fans in the stands sang louder and louder... what else?
Highbury King Henry's left-hand drive and cut inside? Pires' skillful passing and running cooperation between Henry and Henry on the left? Pennant's sharp breakthrough on the wing? Bergkamp's amazing tricks? Ashley Cole's back drive assist?
No, nothing.
Twain may be the person in the world who knows Wenger's trust and regard for Cesc Fabregas best besides Wenger himself. He knew that Vieira's injury might be considered bad news for Arsenal fans, but for Wenger, this was an opportunity for Fabregas to establish his status justifiably.
Arsenal's offense must be initiated by Cesc 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. Seize the opportunity to counterattack quickly, or stabilize and wait for teammates to support... These are all handed over to Francesc Fabregas, who is only seventeen years old.
Such a big and important task, but he didn't change it because of his young age. Now that he has replaced Vieira's position on the field, he must fulfill Vieira's responsibilities.
In the first two rounds of Arsenal's victories, although Cesc Fabregas did not score a goal, his role on the field is indeed obvious to all. Some media have begun to impatiently wear the title of "Vieira's successor" in Spain On the lad's head.
Twain asked George Wood to implement man-to-man defense against Cesc Fabregas. No matter where this person is, as long as he receives the ball, he must immediately push forward, so don't be afraid of losing his defensive position. When Wood pressed up to defend Fabregas, Ribery had to make up for the center.
First of all, Arsenal could not enter their familiar rhythm, and then the Forest team looked for opportunities to counterattack in the chaotic battle... It all depends on Albertini's level. Dunn believed in the Italians, just like he believed in George Wood. Forest's first shot in the opening ten minutes came from Albertini's long pass after stealing from the backcourt.
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Seeing how the game developed, Wenger could be sure what was going on in Tony Twain's mind. But instead of getting up and walking to the sidelines to make any adjustments, he turned to assistant coach Pat_Rice sitting next to him and said, "What do you think, Pat?"
"I think Dunn's tactics against us are no different from most other opponents." Rice expressed his opinion.
"If the game is only ten minutes, he has done better than other opponents."
"Are there any changes to be made, Arthur?"
"No..." Wenger put his chin on the palm of his hand and shook his head, "No, it's too early. Their tactics also have shortcomings. Every time the No. 13 steps forward to defend Fabregas, there will be behind him. Take time... to observe and observe, if Cesc can't handle it alone, let Dennis help him."
Pat Rice nodded, and wrote down Wenger's words in the small notebook in his hand.
(To be continued, if you want to know what will happen next, please log in
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