Chapter 51: To Hell with Damned Fate!

"One to zero! Huntelaar has given Schalke 04 the lead. If Arsenal lose this match, they will basically be left fighting just for second place in the group," said Sky Sports commentator Andy Grey with a furrowed brow.

"That's right, Wenger has realized this as well, and Arsenal are preparing to make a substitution! Giroud is warming up!"

"Arsenal now have only one path left to choose: attack!"

In the commentary booth, most of the commentators had begun to grow pessimistic about Arsenal's prospects in the Champions League.

In the stands, the home fans were singing and dancing.

Meanwhile, the die-hard Arsenal fans who had traveled away stood with their arms crossed, their expressions solemn.

Even when Giroud came on as a substitute for Walcott, they did not let out any cheers.

This match was once again reminding them of the group stages from several past Champions League campaigns: a smooth start, losing a crucial match midway which ruined any hopes for first place in the group, gritting their teeth to secure second place, and then getting drawn against Barcelona.

The script seemed to have been written long ago.

One couldn't blame Arsenal's fans for being too pessimistic. After all, they had witnessed too many similar storylines. Even if they managed to equalize this match, Arsenal would still be three points behind Schalke 04.

Therefore, Arsenal were once again arriving at a familiar plotline, as if it were a shackle that fate had placed upon their heads.

Anyway, even the most loyal Arsenal fans had more or less resigned themselves to fate by now.

Schalke 04's manager, Stevens, sat back down in the technical area. His team had enjoyed some good luck, scoring with the very first of their three waves of attacks at the start of the second half.

From here on, Schalke 04 could comfortably play on the counter-attack.

Although Arsenal had brought on Giroud, correspondingly, their formation would likely shift to a 4-4-2 or a 4-2-2-2. Regardless, Arsenal's defense had been somewhat weakened.

The more likely scenario to unfold next was for Schalke 04 to completely crush Arsenal with a counter-attack.

This was Schalke 04's home ground, and Stevens was confident of pulling it off.

There was nothing to worry about, Stevens thought.

Giroud knew what he needed to do upon coming onto the pitch. Wenger had explained everything clearly to him.

He needed to get more involved in midfield link-up play, provide a stronger physical presence in duels, and, if conditions allowed, supply more passes to Li Mo.

Giroud had thought even further beyond that baseline. If he could provide a greater range of movement along with midfield passing and control, that would free up Li Mo even more, allowing him to focus entirely on attacking the opponent's goal.

The prerequisite for earning a regular starting position was demonstrating one's value. Giroud knew he was not a striker capable of competing for the golden boot. But perhaps, he could become the best supporting cast for a top scorer.

Driven by this realization, Giroud's performance after coming on was surprisingly brilliant. He repeatedly dropped deep into the midfield to receive the ball, and relying on his robust physique and exceptional ball-shielding ability, he helped Arsenal easily advance the play into the final third, forcing Schalke 04's defensive block to drop back.

This quickly made Stevens uneasy on the touchline. He walked to the edge of the pitch, waving his arms vigorously to signal Schalke 04's players to push their formation back out—having their defensive line compressed too deep was by no means a good thing.

In the fifty-third minute of the match, Schalke 04's wide player Farfán dribbled the ball forward along the flank and then delivered a cross toward the center.

The ball was intercepted by Koscielny.

Schalke 04 immediately launched a ferocious high press in the attacking half. The tactic of fierce pressing in the opponent's half had become very popular in the Bundesliga over the past two years, championed by figures like former Hoffenheim manager Rangnick and Borussia Dortmund manager Klopp.

This whirlwind of "German pressing" sweeping out from the Bundesliga would eventually spread across the whole of Europe. At the very least, Bundesliga teams nowadays typically engaged in frantic, high-intensity pressing at certain moments during a match.

Just like right now.

Faced with the pressure, Koscielny had no choice but to pass the ball horizontally to full-back Monreal.

Before the opponent's press could reach him, Monreal chose to clear the ball long—usually, at this moment, the pressing team could reclaim possession by competing for the landing point of the aerial ball.

Aside from occasionally forcing direct interception opportunities, that was the greater significance of the high press: the ability to win back possession more quickly.

With the ball at their feet, the team's defensive pressure was relatively reduced.

But this time, the aerial ball was controlled by Giroud, who had dropped deep into the midfield.

Contesting the aerial ball against Giroud in this zone was Schalke 04's defensive midfielder Neustädter. Neustädter was a defensive midfielder with strong defensive skills and excellent duel-winning ability in the center of the pitch—but Giroud was a central striker.

Matching Giroud up against Neustädter was practically like pitting inferior horses against superior ones.

Therefore, Giroud easily used his body to suppress Neustädter and brought the high ball under control.

The battle for the aerial ball's landing point was lost, and there was not even a chance to contest the second ball. The Schalke 04 players who had previously been pressing forward were forced into a desperate sprint back to defend.

At the same time, Arsenal's players realized that this was a fantastic counter-attacking opportunity!

Giroud passed the ball backward to the feet of Cazorla.

Before receiving the ball, Cazorla was already scanning for Li Mo's position.

Li Mo had realized as soon as Monreal played the ball out that this might be a chance to hit the opponent on the counter, so he kept his position right on the offside line, shifting laterally from the left side toward the right.

The moment Giroud passed the ball back to Cazorla, Li Mo instantly spun around and moved horizontally toward the center.

Cazorla lifted his foot and passed the ball!!

As the football skimmed across the turf, darting forward, Li Mo immediately burst forward along the passing lane!

Matip instinctively tried to grab Li Mo, who was right in front of him, but his hands grasped nothing more than the breeze stirred up by Li Mo's dash.

"A through ball from Cazorla!!"

Amidst the commentator's exclamation, Cazorla's pass sliced through the defense like a knife through butter. Sharp, and silky smooth!

Running at an angle, Li Mo waited for the football to reach him before gently guiding it forward with his right foot, keeping it firmly within his running path while slightly taking the pace off the ball.

"Li Mo! One-on-one with the goalkeeper!!!!"

Gasps of astonishment erupted from the commentary booth.

The Veltins-Arena immediately erupted in a chorus of boos. The deafening jeers practically shook the entire stadium.

Yet, at this very moment, Li Mo had eyes only for Schalke 04 goalkeeper Unnerstall, who was rushing out to close him down.

Li Mo's touch and adjustment were pitch-perfect. The ball landed directly in front of him, precisely in the zone he could control with a single stride.

On the run, Li Mo fixed his gaze on his opponent.

The exact instant his opponent's center of gravity shifted slightly, Li Mo angled his body slightly, swung his lower leg, and chipped the ball!

Unnerstall's reaction was visibly half a beat too slow. By the time Li Mo poked the shot away, the goalkeeper finally made his dive.

It was far too late!

The football traced an arc, bypassing the goalkeeper and drilling straight into the far corner of the net!

"Li Mo! Li Mo! Li-Li! Gooooooooooooooooal!!!!!"

In the commentary booth, Andy Grey threw his arms up and roared.

In the away stands, the Arsenal fans who had moments ago felt a sense of despair instantly leaped to their feet.

"Li!!!!"

"Long live!!!!"

Li Mo's goal pulled them right back from the brink of yet another disappointing Champions League campaign!

To hell with the damned fate!