However, the discussions within the first-team coaching staff about Milner and Tang Long only circulated internally among a few friends.
During the full coaches’ meeting, no one mentioned this topic, and there was no need to.
Milner is gone, and Tang Long isn’t going to swap with De Bruyne, so why keep talking about it? Let’s just take it one step at a time.
Anyway, if something goes wrong in the end, we’ve got boss Pellegrini to shield us, and it won’t fall on us underlings.
London, Emirates Stadium.
Tang Long was placed on the bench for this match.
Pellegrini consulted the team doctor and learned that Tang Long was fit to play, but for safety’s sake, did not let him start, continuing with Silva as the attacking midfielder.
Knowing he’d continue as the attacking midfielder, Silva was overjoyed, hugging Agüero and saying he’d feed him some delicious assists today.
As he passed Podolski, the two embraced and exchanged smiles.
In the Sky Sports studio, Arsenal legend Henry saw this scene and laughed:
"I almost forgot, Podolski and Tang were teammates at Inter, they must be quite familiar with each other. Podolski is starting; I wonder if Tang will make an appearance. The info we received is that he just recovered from a waist injury; I believe that’s why Pellegrini placed him on the bench. If that’s the case, it’s actually a pity because in the last two games, Tang’s skills left a deep impression on me."
Henry, the legendary striker, officially ended his 21-year-long career early this year.
Debuting in Ligue 1 with Monaco in 1994 and retiring in 2015 with the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, Henry scored over 400 goals in his career, appearing 377 times for Arsenal and scoring 228 goals, winning the Premier League Golden Boot in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005, undeniably a top Premier League striker.
It’s worth mentioning that Henry not only scored many goals but also provided numerous assists, with 97 assists at Arsenal alone. He could play as both a central and a wide forward, epitomizing an all-around attacker.
Therefore, he naturally has a favorable impression of playmakers like Tang Long.
Just as Henry finished speaking, Manchester United’s legend Keane gave a dismissive "hmph".
"Henry, you’re an Arsenal man, so you should know what Professor Wenger said recently. He mentioned that Asian players like Tang have a common issue, thinking they’re technically good while neglecting core strength training."
Keane was a typical tough guy during his player days.
Despite being only 178 cm tall without standout physical presence, he was a defensive-offensive midfielder with robust style and explosive temper, one of the most dominant midfielders in the Premier League over the past 20 years, and one of Manchester United’s greatest captains, helping them win 7 League Champion titles and a Champions League title.
"I can’t imagine why a player under 20 would have a waist injury. At Tang’s age, I was battling 200 times on the field every day, with various clashes, tackles, and aerial duels, never getting injured, let alone getting a waist injury. This guy’s really kind of fragile, haha! Or maybe it’s an Asian thing..."
Seeing the outspoken Keane about to say something regrettable, Henry quickly coughed to change the topic.
"Nobody wants to go through injuries; we hope Tang recovers soon. Okay, let’s introduce the starting lineups!"
Home team Arsenal: 4231
Campbell/Chamberlain/Walcott
Monreal/Koscielny/Mertesacker/Bellerin
Away team Manchester City: 4231
Klichy/Kompany/Ranocchia/Sagna
Wenger and Pellegrini, two white-haired gentlemen over 60, exchanged greetings before the match.
With the referee’s whistle, the match begins!
Playing at home, Arsenal launched their opening onslaught cheered on by 60,000 diehard fans at Emirates Stadium.
Wise Wenger knows that facing a strong team like Manchester City, getting into a pitched battle with them—even at home—makes the result unpredictable, so starting aggressively to sneak a score is always the right move.
Arsenal’s players are familiar with every blade of grass on this field and utilize its width to the fullest, with their three lines pressing high.
Faced with Chamberlain and Walcott, the agile interweaving attackers, Manchester City’s Yaya Toure and Fernando dare not recklessly grab positions for close defense, adopting a zonal defending strategy this match.
On both sides, Sterling and Silva are quick small attackers too, but Arsenal’s opening aggression forces them to pull back, hesitant to spread the width.
Arsenal’s formation encircles Manchester City, the ball moving back and forth from left to right, right to left, occasionally with direct passes, slick and precise, full of intent, players weaving like butterflies, positioning seemingly shapeless yet structured, attacking without fixed patterns but striking critically, their football style extraordinarily graceful and smooth.
Sitting on the bench, Tang Long watched intently.
He originally thought Manchester City’s ground pass game was unparalleled in the Premier League, but today, seeing Arsenal’s control and passing in Emirates Stadium, he felt their opponents’ style was not inferior, even more meticulous in certain details. If not for Giroud being tightly marked by Ranocchia causing them to lose a foothold up front, Manchester City’s penalty area would have already turned into Arsenal’s playground.