Chapter 323: Chapter 99: big6 Pilgrimage—Chelsea! Chasing an Undefeated Month! Success Isn’t Enough, Seek Immortality!

Thus, one side carried the momentum of a seven-goal massacre over Marseille, while the other played with the utmost aggressive soccer. The two teams collided.

In the 14th minute of the match, affectionately known as Uncle Mata by fans, the winger broke through Gibbs’ defense and sent a pass toward the center.

"Boom!!"

Outside the arc of the penalty area, Lampard unleashed a powerful long shot, sending grass clippings flying.

"Swoosh!" The football instantly smashed into the right dead center of the goal, Szczeny was unable to save the team.

One to zero!

The Chelsea legend helped the team take the lead!

"Yeah...!"

The Blue Army fans stood up from the stands, raising their hands in unison to celebrate wildly...as the weather slowly turned colder, some of them tore their tight coats during the exertion.

One to zero!

Lampard ran towards the corner flag area with open arms, pumping his fists over a dozen times to celebrate the team’s lead in the London derby.

His face no longer carried the youthful look, and he could only burn the last of his professional career to help the team advance further.

"I’m sorry."

Behind him, Arsenal left-back Gibbs gestured apologetically to his teammates, feeling immensely guilty, "It’s my skills problem."

"It’s okay."

Ma’el, who came running back, patted him on the back of the head, offered comfort. Gibbs is the diligent type but clearly lacks talent and flair.

He and Ma’el share the same flank but without any attacking duties, which only adds more pressure on defense.

This area often has issues and can be considered a shortcoming in Arsenal’s defense line.

Ma’el didn’t blame him, as the defensive gap here also involves him. Currently, his physical ability can’t support him running back and forth with the overall formation, unable to support Gibbs.

He can only work harder on physical training during regular practice and strive to compensate for this weakness in the frontcourt!

"Vamos.....!!"

On the sidelines, Boas almost seemed ready to throw a punch in Wenger’s face, his face filled with excitement, jumping up and down near the center circle line.

Wenger glanced at him and ignored it, as young coaches mostly appeared this way, understandable.

He is now considering whether to poach Tottenham’s Kyle Walker...and have him partner with Ma’el.

But whether the player is willing to bear immense pressure to join and where the team finds the money is a question.

...

"Bang bang bang."

In the 35th minute of the match, Arsenal’s right winger Walcott received a pass from Arteta, and he sprinted towards the Chelsea backfield with the ball.

Ma’el made a quick move towards the center, the entire first half putting substantial pressure on Arsenal’s defense line by Chelsea, and Arsenal wasn’t dominating in ball control.

And with Ivanovic, Mata.....Ramirez and others blocking the passing routes to his teammates, his ball-carrying opportunities were scarce.

At this time, he needed to find some opportunities from elsewhere, like seizing a chance.

After charging into the penalty area, Ma’el and Van Persie exchanged eye contact; they had no communication but completed a positional swap.

Ma’el charged toward the near post, while Van Persie circled to the far post, their crossover confusing the defense within the penalty area.

"Boom!"

Walcott’s cross came, thinking Van Persie was still at the front, he sent a looping cross at the height of a header towards the near post.

Ma’el followed up with a leap, attempting a header shot, backtracking with a moon style!

"Whoosh!" But he bungled the header, the football did not fly toward the goal, instead rolling towards the back post.

No header.

He felt slightly embarrassed; he should focus on header training once other skills lighten up.

"Bang!" At this time, a sound of a ball-touching resounded from behind him, sounding right on the edge of the small penalty area.

After landing, Ma’el quickly turned around, just in time to see the football touch the net, Van Persie was excitedly pointing skyward, charging toward another corner flag area.

Goal!

One to one!

"Haha...!"

Ma’el’s disappointment instantly vanished, sprinting towards Van Persie; this goal really accidentally had him mixed in an assist.

"I hate you." Walcott quickly followed behind, saying wryly.

Ma’el put his arm around his shoulder, a slightly embarrassed look on his face.

During the celebration with Van Persie, the Dutch God Striker even offered some pointers, "Ma’el, if your header skills are not great, don’t attempt the backtracking moon-shot style attack.

"It is tough and easy to misdirect, only center forwards trained in headers since youth can consistently hit quality.

"Next time there’s a chance, turn your body to face the goal, heading directly, with your coordination you could easily swivel your body...this is the way with the highest success rate."

Ma’el nodded, trying out the feeling of a direct header, finding it indeed more stable.

Previously, he got stubborn, thinking mimicking the center forward’s header would offer higher success.

"Hey! Terry!"

On the sidelines, Boas maintained his exuberant manner, throwing his arms outward, complaining towards the field, "Shout out to Bosingwa! Shout at them! Don’t panic, don’t panic!"

He quickly built a good rapport with Terry upon arrival, entrusting all defending to this legendary Blue Army captain.

Terry gave him a thumbs-up, signaling he understood.

"Phew!" Boas blew his hair up from his forehead, glancing askance at Wenger standing calmly, rooted.

It was his first showdown with this renowned head coach, attaching great importance to this match.

...

In the last minute of added time in the first half, Chelsea gained a corner kick opportunity.

Lampard stood before the ball, stretching his right hand towards the penalty area, indicating with a fist where he intended to aim.

"Boom!"

The subsequent corner swerved sharply towards the Arsenal penalty area, dropping near the near post.

Ma’el also joined the corner-kick defense, sticking closely to Torres, opening his arms to keep him in front, blocking his jump.

Torres wobbled left and right, but Ma’el always followed quickly, using his strong physique to press him down.

A few expressions of annoyance crossed his face, subtly tugging Ma’el’s jersey, meaning if he couldn’t jump, then Ma’el shouldn’t.

The football bypassed both their heads, landing slightly forward.

"Boom!!"

The Blue Army captain Terry emerged, pressing Koscielny to complete the header shot, hammering the ball into the near corner.

Two to one!

Chelsea retook the lead!

"Yeah.....!!!"

"Terry! Terry!!"

Blue Army fans erupted in even more intense cheers; this goal was crucial, changing the game’s landscape as they took a lead into halftime.

"Oh.....!"

Terry opened his arms, running towards Lampard at the sideline, Torres mimicked the action, as his involvement also contributed to the goal.

"Hey!"

Ma’el quickly, dissatisfied, raced toward the referee, gesturing about the shirt tug, indicating he had an opportunity to contest the header and clear it away.

The referee continuously crossed his hands in front of his chest, saying he didn’t see any foul, signaling Ma’el to step back.

After protesting a couple of times, Ma’el, seeing it was futile, glanced at the celebrating Chelsea crowd, having to swallow the bitter pill.

In the era without VAR, such small actions were indeed numerous in Premier League games, and everyone would use them.

He walked back towards his position in the frontcourt, feeling an internal surge of anger, not targeting anyone, but the unfairness.

"Ya.....!"

Halfway there, he saw Boas passionately celebrate again on the other side, this time kneeling on the ground, punching forward.

This Portuguese young coach...really had unique characteristics.

"Beep! Beep—!"

Before long, two long whistle sounds echoed, announcing the first half’s end.

Ma’el walked towards the locker room, reflecting on his not-great performance, mainly due to limited ball possessions.

This type of player, if unable to secure significant ball possession on the flank, would undoubtedly see a significant drop in efficiency.

He must earn the full support of the team and coach to showcase his talent on the field!

Ma’el wasn’t worried, trusting Wenger and believing this team would help solve the issues.

.....

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