BXBX NOVEL Chapter 286: Arsenal’s Revival
Chapter 286: Arsenal's Revival
The first five minutes and the last five minutes of each half are the times when players are most mentally vulnerable. In the first five minutes, different players need varying amounts of time to adjust to the rhythm of the game. In the last five minutes, as the match draws to a close, attention can inevitably wane.
At the start of the second half for Millwall, instead of launching the ball forward, Pirlo took his time. He strolled around in midfield, reminiscent of an elderly player taking a leisurely pace. With a gentle half-turn to shield the ball, he easily eluded Wright's pressure. Then, he combined with Makelele in a quick one-two, leaving Bergkamp frustrated. As Pires moved in to help, Pirlo smoothly switched the ball over to the right side.
Pires was taken aback as the ball rolled past him. He didn't need to look to know that someone would be flying past him from behind—Schneider!
Schneider surged forward with the ball, charging down the pitch like a whirlwind. Given that he had been running non-stop throughout the match, especially as an attacking full-back, he definitely felt the weariness creeping in. But he was determined, gritting his teeth and managing his stamina wisely. As the second half kicked off, he aimed to make a quick strike!
Schneider's dribbling disrupted Arsenal's defense; Gudjohnsen roamed in the channels. As Winterburn was forced to press Schneider, the German seized the opportunity to drive to the byline and whipped in a cross.
It seemed he might overhit it, as the ball soared over the goal and began to descend. Adams and Keown missed it completely. When they turned to look, they discovered that the Ukrainian had evaded Dixon and was charging in fiercely.
In his eagerness, Shevchenko was too fast to stop and adjust for a shot, so he leaped and connected perfectly with a header. The ball thumped into the goal with the force of a volley, striking Arsenal's net.
This was only Millwall's third shot of the match, far less than Arsenal's nine in the first half. Yet, it was this scant opportunity that Shevchenko capitalized on!
Seaman didn't touch the ball as it flew straight into the bottom corner of the net!
"Wow! The Ukrainian scores with a header! What a magnificent goal—definitely a contender for the best goal of the round! Millwall has taken the lead at the start of the second half. What a stroke of bad luck for Arsenal; they've had three shots on target and couldn't find the net, yet Millwall scored with their third attempt!"
Shevchenko put his team ahead, and while Aldrich was thrilled, he faced a tough decision.
With an away lead, should they defend or attack?
There was still plenty of time left in the match, and making adjustments now seemed unwise. Plus, with a 4-2-3-1 formation, their defensive line had already shrunk to quite a conservative stance.
Wenger was speechless.
The fans at Highbury were even more exasperated.
Where's the justice?
Is there still fairness in football? When the Lions play well, they win, and when they struggle, they can still take the lead. What the hell? Did Lady Luck attend your player's Christmas bash?
Instead of demoralizing Arsenal, this goal ignited their fury.
It was obvious that they had been maintaining a suppressive power, but they found themselves lagging behind. Are all Millwall players German?
Lineker once said: Football is a game where 22 men kick a ball for 90 minutes, and the Germans always win.
The Gunners' response was swift and fierce!
Just six minutes later, Gudjohnsen's shot from outside the box was blocked, and Trezeguet's follow-up was snuffed out by Seaman, who collected it cleanly.
Arsenal countered.
This counterattack started from the goal kick, as Adams passed to Dixon, who then gave it to Vieira. Vieira sent it over to Overmars, who broke down the wing, dazzling with his quick stops and turns to outmaneuver Capdevila, before passing the ball to Bergkamp.
Throughout this rapid counterattack, Millwall's players hardly touched the ball, lightning-fast in execution.
From the sidelines, Aldrich watched the players' positioning, but his attention was caught by one player.
That player was Adams, who had run up from the small box.
He came forward at a steady pace, creeping up to Millwall's defense like a ghost.
Aldrich shouted, pointing at Adams, "Bernd, go mark him!"
Schneider was the closest to Aldrich, and upon hearing the shout, he abandoned Pires and dashed to mark Adams, who had now reached the edge of the penalty area.
But it was too late.
With the ball, Bergkamp feinted a breakthrough in front of Southgate, creating space for himself. It looked like a pass but was actually a shot, directing the ball across the small box.
This was a cross-field ball; Wright attracted Elguerra's attention, but neither player made contact in their tussle. Butt assumed Wright would finish the chance, but the ball rolled just past Wright. To his shock, as he turned to follow the ball's path, he found Adams charging in front of Schneider, who struck the ball cleanly into the net.
Schneider kicked the post in frustration.
This goal wasn't his fault, really.
Yet he felt guilty; who would've thought Adams would make that run all the way from the defensive line to score a goal?
Last season, this team also had central defenders assisting, but at that time Arsenal mainly defended with five players. Now they are down to four; it is of course risky for the centre-backs to step forward to assist, but Arsenal have always had a tradition of doing this.
Such unexpected attacking threats were even more dangerous, as the approach was deeply concealed, and when center-backs surged forward during open play, they could catch defenses off guard.
After scoring, Adams slowed down, standing proudly by the advertising boards, surveying the Highbury stands like a triumphant king!
Indeed, how long had it been since Arsenal exuded such dominance?
They didn't just regain their regal aura; they had improved their flair as well.
The Arsenal fans went wild. Seeing Adams' powerful stance after scoring, they pumped their fists and cheered loudly.
This is how it should be!
People say Millwall became the king of London, what nonsense!
When Arsenal ruled England, The Lions didn't even know where they were!
"Captain Adams has stepped up for the Gunners! He's equalized! Arsenal, who had been oppressed by Millwall for over two years, are finally showing their strength in this match. They're clearly in a commanding position. Although their style is more conservative compared to Manchester United, they're relentless in their quest for goals through counterattacks. Let's see what the outcome of this match will be."
Aldrich stood on the sidelines with crossed arms, a serious expression on his face.
This period is difficult for Arsenal to cope with. They look trickier and more powerful than Manchester United, because Manchester United always plays in a domineering manner, which makes them more vulnerable to counterattacks by the other side. But Wenger's Arsenal focuses on defense, and their offense mainly relies on counterattacks after defense, leaving opponents wondering how to deal with the game.
In ten years, Arsenal might've had a dazzling attacking style, but when it came down to strength, they would often collapse quickly under pressure.
But now, Vieira and Pettit dominate the double defensive midfielder, coupled with the experienced golden defense line, the forwards are almost perfect as long as they withdraw the defense line when defending.
Months ago, when the transition from defense to attack was sorted out, Arsenal underwent a substantial metamorphosis; they could attack and defend effectively!
As the match intensified, both teams exchanged blows that left the stands gasping in astonishment.
As the clock ticked down to the eighty-fourth minute, Overmars, carrying the ball down the flank, was dispossessed by Makelele. He passed to Pirlo, creating a golden opportunity for a counterattack!
Pirlo delivered a pinpoint pass to Ballack up ahead.
The German turned, looking to thread a ball through to Trezeguet, who was making a diagonal run into the channel.
But Vieira stretched out a leg, intercepting the ball before it reached Ballack's foot.
Counterattack for Arsenal!
Aldrich felt something was off—this scene felt too familiar.
It mirrored the tempo Millwall had used against Arsenal months ago.
When the opponent makes a mistake in their counter, they can simply turn the guns around and hit back, completely throwing them off balance.
Retracement, retracement! Protect the space first!
Aldrich was screaming internally, and the players instinctively began to follow his thoughts.
Vieira shifted the ball out to the wing for Overmars. The little flying man, having learned from his previous mishap, didn't dare to take on the defense directly and quickly laid the ball back. Vieira strode forward and made a one-two with the retreating Bergkamp, breaking through Pirlo's defense, now facing the last line of defense before Millwall's box.
Makelele was chasing back, just in time to reinforce his defense.
Wright drew the attention of both center-backs, while Bergkamp simultaneously charged into the penalty area, forcing the two towering defenders to split their focus.
Before Makelele could fully cover, Vieira launched the ball.
It wasn't directed at Wright, nor was it aimed at Bergkamp but rather at Pires, who had made an angled run in from the left side.
Pires didn't cut into the box but instead moved laterally for a step. Having created the shooting angle, he decisively pulled the trigger from distance!
The ball soared in an arc between Southgate and Elguerra, heading straight for the back post of Millwall's goal—a dead corner!
Aldrich, watching from the sidelines, prayed, "Save it, save it, save it!"
Boom!
Highbury erupted!
"Pires' long-range shot from the edge of the penalty area has pierced through Millwall's goal! 2-1, Arsenal has turned the match around! Millwall has been defeated by the combination of two former players, Vieira and Pires—outstanding players produced by Millwall, who now cruelly struck back against them! Andy, could the defending champions face back-to-back away defeats?"
"If they suffer two losses in four days, it might just be the most frustrating New Year Millwall has experienced in years. It has to be said that Arsenal performed better today; their attack was more threatening, thanks to a solid defense. Adams, Keown, and others have rejuvenated under Wenger; you could hardly tell that this backline had an average age nearing thirty. On the other hand, Millwall, lacking key players, was in poor form today—perhaps affected by their loss to Manchester United and the scandal. Yet even if they lost this match, it's not the end of the world. From another perspective, Hall should be relieved that the issues surfaced now rather than two months later! If the team's problems were exposed then, all their efforts for the season could be utterly destroyed!"
After going behind, Aldrich didn't give in on the sidelines. He took a risk, subbing in a striker, sending Van Nistelrooy on to partner with Trezeguet. With little time left, Millwall's play became more direct, lofting high balls into the penalty area, but it yielded little effect; in the final minutes, they couldn't even register a shot.
When the match concluded, the Arsenal fans celebrated wildly while the Millwall supporters left quietly, offering no reproaches to their team. Even though it was their first loss to Arsenal in four years, and despite having previously beaten Arsenal under Graham in cup competitions when they were in the First Division, today they fell short in their first London derby against Arsenal.