Chapter 32: Gary Neville: Oh, Sure, Whatever You Say

Chapter 32 Gary Neville: Yeah, Whatever You Say

"Arsenal have taken the lead from a corner kick, and the situation now looks quite difficult for Southampton. If they want to get anything out of this match, they must score, but pressing forward at the Emirates Stadium will obviously give Arsenal more space."

As the match resumed, the commentators all agreed that after falling behind, the chances of Southampton getting a result away from home were already very slim.

In fact, the flow of the game confirmed this.

Wenger did not return to the dugout after the goal.

In this match, Arsenal’s midfield was set up in a butterfly formation. Arteta and Diaby occupied the center; Arteta was responsible for controlling the tempo of the attack, while Diaby handled protection, linking play, and defense.

On the right, Walcott started. Both Walcott and right-back Jenkinson possessed great speed, and their attacks on that flank were direct, with the winger and full-back taking turns overlapping.

On the left, left-back Monreal paired with Cazorla, who played the role of an "inverted winger." Both Spaniards possessed excellent technical skills and passing ability, giving their side a much more "flamboyant" attacking style.

In the middle, although Giroud could be comical with his shooting at times, he was very reliable in other aspects. He could control aerial balls, hold up play, provide incisive passes, and even serve as a connector between the two flanks.

Up front was Li Mo, whose threat to the goal made opponents extremely wary. Defenders had to pay close attention to him, which in turn created more space for Arsenal’s midfield and attacking line.

In this system, every player was able to play to their strengths. Consequently, the effect displayed on the pitch was astonishing.

After conceding, Southampton clearly wanted to strike back. They appeared to have the capability to do so: Lallana’s ability to drive down the flank was strong, and their center-forward Lambert possessed finishing prowess.

However, under Arsenal’s pressure, Southampton could barely touch the ball.

They managed only one sloppy attempt at an attack after conceding: the goalkeeper launched a long ball for Lambert, who won the header, but Diaby controlled the second ball.

After that, the match fell entirely into Arsenal’s rhythm.

Southampton had no choice but to drop their formation deeper to prevent Arsenal’s attacking players from finding space to slice through their defense.

"Arteta with the ball... feeds it out to the flank... Cazorla... Monreal overlaps, Cazorla passes... Monreal drills it across the edge of the box!! Giroud with the backheel!!! Li Mo!! Li Mo shoots!! Beautiful!! Oh, oh, oh!!!"

"Southampton goalkeeper Davis makes a brilliant save!!"

"Li Mo almost bags a brace!!"

"Corner!! Another corner for Arsenal!!"

"Cazorla takes the corner... Davis plucks it out of the air! Southampton counter-attack—Lallana loses the ball!!"

In the commentary box, the broadcasters were speaking at a mile a minute. During this period, Arsenal had clearly increased their passing speed, picking up the tempo of the game.

After claiming the high ball from the corner, Southampton goalkeeper Kelvin Davis threw the ball out, looking to launch a counter-attack.

In the process, Southampton’s formation, which had been compressed to the extreme, snapped back out like a spring.

However, just as Lallana prepared to receive the ball, center-back Koscielny got there first, heading it to Arteta!!

"Arteta collects and turns... a diagonal pass! Walcott!! Such great speed!"

On the television screen, Arteta connected with Walcott on a diagonal line.

Prior to this, because Southampton’s formation had been pushed so far back, once they got a chance to rebound, their players ran forward like wild horses. As a result, once they lost the ball in the front court, Arsenal immediately had a chance to launch a transition counter-attack.

Arteta’s pass was fast, but he had taken Walcott’s speed into account when playing it.

Sure enough, Walcott fully utilized his sprinter’s advantage, shaking off the defender and hitting top speed. He caught up to the ball near the corner of the penalty area, having already checked Li Mo’s position beforehand.

Li Mo was pressing the last Southampton defender, Fuchs, and making a diagonal run.

At this moment, Southampton’s defensive line was not a straight line, but an inverted horseshoe shape. Both full-backs were positioned closer to the byline than the two center-backs!

However, Southampton’s two center-backs were also sprinting back with all their might.

Opportunities are fleeting. Walcott understood this, so as soon as he caught up to the ball, he passed it immediately!

"Too heavy!"

As soon as the ball left his foot, Walcott felt a sense of dread.

The ball skimmed across the grass, angling toward the opposite byline. At this speed, it seemed highly unlikely that Li Mo would be able to reach it.

"Walcott with the pass... this ball is too fast!!!" Andy Gray shouted from the commentary box.

Southampton’s defenders breathed a sigh of relief. Fuchs even had time to turn his head to look at Li Mo’s position.

That look was his undoing.

Li Mo was now like an arrow released from a bow, his speed so fast that Fuchs wondered if he was facing his former teammate Gareth Bale.

"Li Mo!!!"

The commentary box erupted in exclamations.

Goalkeeper Kelvin Davis had assumed the ball would roll out for a goal kick, so he stayed on his line. But when he saw Li Mo surging forward out of the corner of his eye, his pupils constricted.

Almost instinctively, he lunged toward the far post.

The moment he lifted his feet, Li Mo had already slid in, using the grass to propel himself toward the ball and poking it into the goal!!

Davis dived to make the save, but it was already too late.

The ball brushed his fingertips, and although the trajectory changed slightly, it still crashed into the net behind him!!

Goal.

Two-nil!!!

"Li Mo!!!!"

"Beautiful!! Beautiful!!! His speed is truly incredible!!!"

"According to reports, Li Mo was known for his speed half a year ago, but he lost it due to balance issues caused by a rapid growth spurt. Now, it seems... his speed has returned!!"

"Walcott might have played that pass according to his own pace, but Li Mo truly showed an acceleration here that is not inferior to Walcott’s!"

"Fuchs has great speed, but he couldn't keep up with Li Mo’s rhythm this time!!"

"Two-nil! Two-nil!! Arsenal have scored two goals in just twenty-one minutes!!!"

In the commentary box, the broadcasters were heaping praise on Li Mo’s acceleration.

In the stands, the Arsenal fans leaped to their feet, cheering wildly.

Li Mo pointed toward Walcott. The two hugged each other while laughing, followed by the rest of the Arsenal players.

"I thought I kicked it too hard! I didn't expect you to be so fast!!" Walcott said in disbelief.

"Didn't you know? I used to be a speed-merchant. My pace doesn't lose to yours."

"Holy cow! You shot off like a little rocket!"

"I know that guy Fuchs, he’s quite fast too, but you genuinely scared him just now..."

"Hahaha."

Arsenal players patted Li Mo on the shoulder, messing up his hair.

The Arsenal fans in the stands were chanting his name.

The camera remained firmly locked on Li Mo.

"Three consecutive matches with a brace!!!"

Sky Sports commentator Andy Gray took a deep breath, speaking in disbelief.

"He is simply the 'Mr. Brace'..."

Martin Keown remarked, "Wouldn't you agree, Gary?"

Gary Neville’s face changed slightly; he really didn't want to bring up his own dark history. So, he didn't respond.

Gary Neville: Yeah, whatever you say.