Arnold was overjoyed, dribbling forward with a smile. Lin Hao immediately went back to defend, and he had to go back. Lin Hao passed the ball to Melantz, indicating that Melantz was making a forward run, leaving the left flank open.
Lin Hao used his speed to quickly catch up with Arnold. Arnold made a sudden stop, and Lin Hao also made a sudden stop, took a step back, and Arnold passed through a small door.
But Lin Hao had an idea: he could be called an Arnold Level 10 Researcher.
He's beaten Arnold's through balls countless times. Arnold's attacking ability is indeed impressive, so he'll definitely seize any opportunity he sees.
Lin Hao held off Arnold, Xhaka got the ball and passed it to the back defender, Arnold was so angry he slapped his thigh.
Liverpool's attacking players immediately launched a high-pressure press, with Arsenal players passing back and forth and cooperating with the goalkeeper. However, Liverpool's high-pressure press was indeed effective. When Arsenal players received the ball, the pressing players were already in front of them. There was nothing they could do. When the ball reached Tierney's feet, Tierney launched a long ball forward, looking for Lacazette.
Lacazette is good at poaching, and after winning the first header, Elneny immediately passed the ball diagonally to Willian.
Willian received the ball at the byline, Robertson made a good defensive move, Willian passed the ball to Bellerin with his back to goal, Bellerin crossed from a 45-degree angle, looking for Lacazette.
This time they couldn't find it, and Van Dijk cleared the ball at the near post.
Wijnaldum feigned receiving the ball, but instead dribbled past Xhaka by letting the ball slip past him.
Wijnaldum quickly moved forward, seized the opportunity, passed the ball to Mane on the left wing, and then cut into the penalty area himself.
Mane received the ball and quickly moved forward, cutting across the byline past the defender into the penalty area. He was about to bring the ball to the goalkeeper when he passed it back to the front of the goal. Fortunately, David Luiz, a former member of the indomitable Chelsea team, remained steady and kicked the ball out of bounds.
Liverpool had a corner kick opportunity. The corner was taken, and Van Dijk won the first header in the penalty area. However, under pressure, he was unable to head the ball successfully and only managed to flick it down. The ball then fell into the penalty area, causing a scramble.
The penalty area was swarming with feet, everyone trying to catch the ball. Mane seized the opportunity and unleashed a powerful volley, the ball whizzing past everyone in the box. Goalkeeper Leno was completely helpless, his view obstructed.
Goal!
Sadio Mane scored, and Liverpool broke through Arsenal's defense shortly after the start of the game, taking a 1-0 lead.
There was an element of luck in this goal; by sheer chance, the ball ended up at Mane's feet during the scramble in the penalty area. Mane didn't hesitate and shot immediately. With so many people in the penalty area, no one managed to touch the ball, allowing it to go into the net.
It's true what they say, what's meant to be will be.
Mane ran to the sidelines to celebrate, and the Arsenal players returned to their positions.
After the celebrations, Arsenal kicked off again, and the game continued.
In the 21st minute of the match, Arsenal finally managed to pass the ball up from their own half. The ball was passed to Lin Hao, who then dribbled diagonally forward, advancing to a point three to five meters outside the penalty area, the so-called attacking third. This position was where the threat was about to be created, so Naby took a shot.
Lin Hao dribbled the ball and accelerated, immediately getting past Naby. As he moved forward, both sides of the defense closed him down.
Lin Hao dribbled into the penalty area, using a series of rhythmic feints. All the defenders in the penalty area moved in sync with Lin Hao's rhythm. Gomez seized the opportunity, touched the ball, stepped on it to the side, and then used his body to push Lin Hao aside, completing the defensive play.
This is what's called dribbling too much. Lin Hao should have passed the ball earlier, but after dribbling past his opponent and entering the penalty area, his pass didn't actually have a good route.
The ball was cleared and fell to Salah's feet. Salah turned and sprinted forward in his classic running style. Melantz tackled Salah without hesitation, but Salah flicked the ball into the net and started running, having already dribbled past him.
But Melant grabbed Salah and hugged him. Salah helplessly shrugged, and the referee blew his whistle, giving Melant a yellow card.
It would be too dangerous to let Salah pass, so we had no choice but to foul him.
Melantz was also clearly marking Salah closely in this match.
This was both the head coach's arrangement and a way to boost the match between Lin Hao and Salah. After all, if Lin Hao loses, Arsenal loses too. Lin Hao hasn't lost a single game for Arsenal yet.
Liverpool would certainly like to do the same, but this approach is based on the team's tactics. In fact, marking Salah would be more effective in defending against him.
Liverpool's tactics require players to move up and down the flanks, so it's impossible to keep an eye on Lin Hao. Besides, what's the point of having Arnold mark him? It would just free him up to attack.
Unfortunately, Liverpool's actions leave Salah to his own devices and hope for the best.
A free kick opportunity, just past the halfway line, Arnold came to handle it, and judging from the player's posture, he was going to lob it straight in.
Arnold took a free kick, but he didn't execute it well. This is supposed to be one of Arnold's strengths, but he handled it poorly, and the result was quite absurd. Nobody expected it to go directly out of bounds.
In the 36th minute, Arsenal had a counter-attack opportunity. Willian had a striker on the counter-attack, and the ball came to him. He managed to turn and receive the ball, then backheeled it to Lacazette.
Lacazette passes the ball to Xhaka with his back to goal, Xhaka then passes it to Willian, and Willian turns and runs forward at a certain moment.
William received the ball and immediately launched a high ball towards the left.
The attack was concentrated on the right flank, leaving the left flank relatively open – a perfect opportunity!
At times like this, it all comes down to whether the player can control the ball well. Just kidding, Lin Hao has no problem controlling the ball well. He can control it steadily, and he can even stop the ball precisely at the point where you want to make your next move. That's what good ball control is, not just stopping the ball.
Lin Hao, a casual soccer player, understood this principle. A friend who had attended a soccer school told him this, and he practiced for it for a long time.
It's a pity that nowadays many players struggle even to stop the ball steadily during a match.
This isn't meant to mock anyone; there are plenty of players like this in the top five leagues. Yes, you can say that the situations where you can't control the ball well are the kind that are difficult to control. Isn't that obvious? What are you doing here? You're here to make a living, and you can't even do the most basic movements properly.
Lin Hao dribbled the ball forward quickly into the penalty area. With someone coming from the right, Lin Hao couldn't shoot with his right foot, so he directly used the outside of his left foot.
The ball, spinning, arced and struck the far post. It bounced off and entered the goal line, but didn't touch the net; it had lost its power.
Lin Hao stood up, ran to the sidelines, jumped high in excitement, and threw a punch.
1-1, Lin Hao's outside-of-the-foot curler helped Arsenal equalize.
That was a great play.
They are also currently in the lead in their battle with Salah!