The Legendary Chairman Novel - Chapter 544
544 Arsenal Again on Ellen Road
November 11, 2006, Singles Day!
The weather at Leeds United was very nice and sunny. Although it was the evening competition, today was not cold at all. The weather was very suitable for the competition.
The stadium was already filled with people. The buses of the players from both sides had already arrived at the scene. The players were waiting in the dressing room and were ready to play.
At this time, the fans on both sides were singing their respective team songs loudly to cheer for their team, waiting for the start of the game.
“Hello, spectators, fans! This is the BBC, I am commentator Mark Lawrenson!” The BBC broadcast the match live today, with Mark Lawrenson sitting in the press booth at the Elland Road Stadium.
“Fans, long time no see, I am the familiar Eddie Gray. Today I will bring you another Leeds United game!” Eddie Gray said immediately.
The Leeds United fans gave Eddie Gray a lot of face, applauded and even shouted Eddie Gray’s name. After all, Eddie Gray has a deep relationship with Leeds United, where he has stayed both as a player and as a coach.
Leeds United fans gave Eddie Gray a thunderous round of applause.
Mark Lawrenson chuckled and said, “Looks like Eddie, you have a very important place in the hearts of Leeds United fans. They have seen you so many times, and they still welcome you so much!”
Eddie Gray said, “Of course!” Of course, Mark Lawrenson immediately said: “Alright, today we are bringing you a game for the 12th Premier League round of the season. Leeds United play Arsenal at home.” “Now arsenal are third in the premier league and leeds are fourth in the premier league. The difference between the two teams is only one point. They are very close. This should be a very intense game!
Eddie Gray said: “Yes, and this is Leeds United’s game. Leeds United are likely to make a comeback and overtake Arsenal to reach third place in the Premier League!”
Eddie Gray was very confident. The Arsenal fans in front of the TV cheered. Eddie Gray was farting after saying that!
Mark Lawrenson smiled and said, “Are you really so confident, Eddie?”
Eddie Gray shouted, “Of course! I believe in Loria, I believe in Leeds United. Leeds United will win this game!”
Mark Lawrenson nodded slightly and said, “How about this, let’s gamble. If Arsenal win, you change your hairstyle, baldy. If Leeds win, I’ll change my hairstyle, okay?”
Eddie Gray looked at Mark Lawrenson and asked, “Are you optimistic about Arsenal?”
Mark Lawrenson said: “You support Leeds United, I naturally have to support Arsenal, how can we stand in the same trench?”
Eddie Gray nodded slightly and said, “That’s right!”
Mark Lawrenson immediately said, “So you agree?”
Eddie Gray raised his eyebrows and said, “Are you so confident that Arsenal will win?”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” said Mark Lawrenson. “Tell me, do you want to bet or not?”
Eddie Gray glanced at Mark Lawrenson and said, “Since you want to change your hairstyle so badly, of course I have to help you. But let me ask you, are you also changing your baldy?”
Mark Lawrenson nodded and said, “Of course!”
Eddie Gray immediately said, “Alright, I’ll bet you that Leeds United will win this game!”
Mark Lawrenson stared at Eddie Gray and said, “We’ll see if we can win this game. Well, let’s talk about the starting lineup for today. The players on both sides are out!”
Mark Lawrenson began by introducing the starting lineup of Arsenal as follows:
Visiting team: Arsenal, head coach: Arsène Wenge, formation: 4-4-2
Goalkeeper: Jens Lehmann
Four defenders “from left to right”: Crissy, Kolo Toure, William Gallas and Eboue
Four midfielders “left to right”: Hleb, Flamini, Fabregas and Ljungberg
Twin strikers: Adebayor and Henry
This was the starting lineup of the Arsenal team today. This starting lineup was beyond everyone’s expectations, especially in this defensive line. The two full-backs were relatively young, but their strengths were very good. In fact, the main ones were the two Arsenal centre-backs.
The two centre-backs weren’t very tall. Kolo Toure was only 183cm tall and Gallas was only 181cm tall. The two centre-backs didn’t have any problems snatching back their movement speed and could be said to be very strong. But it was a hard injury to defend against high-altitude balls. Although Kolo Toure and Gallas bounced heaven-defying, they were facing Luca Toni today, a big man who could defend against them?
When the fans saw Arsenal’s defensive line, their hearts jumped. How would they play this game?
Arsenal fans felt their hearts tighten when they saw this and they felt that the game was really over.
Actually, Arsène Wenge had no choice. The tall centre-back on the defensive line, Zhu Lu, was still lacking in strength, so he was not at ease. And Senderos was suddenly injured before the game. He had no choice but to expel such a defensive team.
There was no problem with the staffing of the front court, the only problem was the defence.
Everyone was speculating that Arsenal’s defensive line could defend against tall center Luca Tony. This guy was simply an air tyrant. He was 193 cm tall, but he was 10 cm taller than Kolo Toure, the tallest centre-back. The difference was too obvious.
Arsenal fans are worried about the game.
Next up, Eddie Gray introduced Leeds United’s starting lineup for today, as follows:
Home: Leeds United, Coach: Zhong Cheng, Formation: 4-1-3-2
Goalkeeper: Zhong Zheng
Four defenders “from left to right”: Evra, Vermaelen, Compani and Gary Kelly
Single waist: Mascherano
Avant-garde “Left to Right”: Ribery, Modric and Joaquin
Twin strikers: Luca Tony and Edinson Cavani
Leeds United’s starting lineup doesn’t have much of a problem, but veteran Gary Kelly is on the starting lineup today at full-back. Gary Kelly has started a lot less this season, down from last season.
Sagna have successfully taken over the starting right-back position, but Gary Kelly is starting today, Sagna is sitting on the bench waiting for the opportunity.
Then there was Edinson Cavani, who was really on the starting line-up, and the media reporters were interested. They wanted to see how Edinson Cavani was doing?
In this match, Edinson Cavani was tested for drugs.
The drug test was very strict, and there were even a few reporters by the side. This made Edinson Cavani feel very uncomfortable. It was as if he was a criminal. Edinson Cavani was filled with anger.
All of this is the result of wild speculation by these damned media reporters, and Edinson Cavani feels humiliated. It’s all these damn media reporters, you guys wait for me, you guys just wait and go to hell!
The players on both sides stood still on the pitch and the game was about to begin.
Leeds United fans cheered for Edison Cavani by shouting his name loudly. This made Edison Cavani’s heart warm, and his entire body was filled with fighting spirit.
Zhong Cheng walked towards the visiting coach’s bench and extended his right hand to Arsène Wenge. “Welcome to Elland Road, Professor Wenger!” He said.
Arsène Wenge held Zhong Cheng’s right hand and said, “Thank you! We meet again, Mr. Loria!”
There weren’t many words between the two of them, so they separated after this simple greeting.
At this moment, the referee of this match, Chris Webb, was looking at the watch on his wrist. The match was really about to start.
Du!
Chris Webb blew the whistle for the start of the game.
The Leeds United fans at the scene immediately became excited and shouted crazily to cheer for Leeds United. At the beginning of the game, the first team to kick off was Leeds United. They immediately pressed down on the line and launched a very swift attack.
After Mascherano caught the ball in the middle and back, he quickly slanted the ball to the side. Gary Kelly, who was on the side, ignored Hleb and sent the ball to the front with a long kick.
Yes, the football flew straight to Luca Tony, the lighthouse in front of him.
Arsenal fans felt as if they had eaten shit when they saw this. Damn Lizzie United was too shameless. He was looking for a higher position from the start. He was so rude from the start. He was speechless.
Kolo Toure and Galas were both shocked and moved closer to Luca Tony. The two of them came forward to interfere with Luca Tony.
However, Luca Toni’s body was very strong. He jumped up high, held the two of them, and headed the ball back into the Arsenal box.
Chloe Toure and Gallas, who had jumped up, were immediately shocked, their hearts filled with horror.
“Wow, nice offensive coordination. Luca Toni blew up Gareth and Colo Toure. Beautiful header, Cavani, Edison Cavani rushed into the box. Chances, Leeds United’s chances came just as the game was about to start. Beautiful!” Eddie Gray roared in excitement.
Mark Lawrenson also shouted, “Ah, single-handedly! Leeds United are single-handedly at the start of the game, Arsenal are in danger!”
The Arsenal fans’ hair stood on end like steel needles.
German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann’s heart skipped a beat as he rushed forward to block the ball.
With a bang, Edison Cavani, who caught up with the football, didn’t have much time to think about it. Because the ball was slightly bigger, Edison Cavani rushed forward quickly and threw a tackle on the ground.
With a bang, the football flew towards Arsenal’s goal.
Arsenal fans screamed in horror as they saw Jens Lehmann’s legs were about to roll over with a very fast, ground-bowling kick.
At this moment, Jens Lehman’s reaction was very quick. He sat down and sat on the football, resolving the crisis.
“Aiya! Almost. The German made a great save. He saved Arsenal. Leeds United are still a bit out of luck!” Eddie Gray was depressed.
However, this attack gave Leeds United a boost of confidence, as if they had seen Arsenal explode!