The atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium is exceptionally heated today, as a highly anticipated and explosive match is about to take place.
Arsenal are said to be fighting for a top-four finish, and if they lose this match, they'll drop to fifth. But actually, they're not that far from the top three. If given the chance, who wouldn't want to compete for the championship?
Liverpool is one of the first two, and the difference between the two is always six points.
The players lined up on both sides, a scene that happens in almost every game, and this game was no exception. Everyone who passed by Lin Hao would glance at him with that kind of look in their eyes.
However, the person who provoked him today did find a novel angle. Actually, it wasn't him who came up with it, but rather it was something that had been circulating online recently.
The attacker was Liverpool's crown prince, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
"Wow, seeing is believing! Everyone says Arsenal has produced a natural-born star, and it's true. Hey, you play football? You're not just known for your looks, are you?"
Lin Hao frowned. "Dude, just say I look effeminate!"
"Hey, you look so effeminate!"
"You don't need to be taught how to swear, you're a real piece of trash!" Lin Hao chuckled.
"Sigh, before I was a professional player, I really loved watching Liverpool play. Seriously, I got angry when Liverpool missed crucial opportunities, but I was most angry at you. I thought back then that if I ever saw you, I would definitely tell you that Liverpool would have won more championships without you!"
"Hey, you're not a professional player anymore, so why did you say that before? Come on, you sissy, football is a sport for tough guys, I feel disgusted just looking at you!"
"Fine, let's give it a try. I really don't understand how you dare to provoke me before the match? Anyone from Liverpool is more qualified than you!"
At this moment, Alisson roughly stepped in to separate the two men, who were his teammates, and he didn't want them to argue anymore.
Lin Hao was also quite helpless. It's normal for star players to have nicknames, but it's really rare to have a bad nickname.
Even if Lukaku or Chu Zhuangwang are mentioned, it's just for fun.
The only ones he knew were Messi and Ronaldo, who had nicknames that were given to them by opposing fans.
To be honest, Lin Hao wasn't surprised at all by this nickname; he could have predicted it. He was good-looking, but good-looking comes in many styles, and he was more like an idol or trainee.
Well, there's nothing we can do about it, so it will look like this.
Recently, he has been mired in a quagmire of conflict, and his resistance has been weak, so he naturally earned this title.
This match is also very important for Lin Hao, as it will be his first start. This is also why Lin Hao said earlier that Arnold had the courage to mock him.
He was chosen to start because the coaching staff believed he had strong individual dribbling skills and was specifically designed to counter Arnold.
But these things are all relative. Arnold is already widely recognized as being much better, but if Lin Hao were to be subdued by Arnold, he would lose face big time.
As for Saka, who also has the ability to break through defenses, Lin Hao doesn't know why, but he is very grateful for Saka's advice. He and Saka have the best relationship in the team, but Saka is not getting opportunities under the current head coach's management.
On the contrary, Lin Hao had a chance. Lin Hao himself admitted that he was able to stand here because of luck, or rather, luck.
With the pre-match ceremony over, the eternal North London chorus, a tradition of singing together before every match, has come to an end.
The players from both sides lined up on either side. Although Arsenal has been struggling in recent years, a strong team like Liverpool, no matter what, will always have players who are mentally motivated when they meet. When the dominant team, Liverpool, is facing off, there is a good chance of an exciting match.
It's like a derby match. Is Everton strong? Certainly not as strong as Liverpool, but Liverpool always has to be very careful in every derby match.
Arsenal kicked off first, and as soon as the ball was released, Liverpool's attacking players rushed forward in a flash.
Liverpool launched a high press in the attacking third. Arsenal used to be less afraid of this, after all, Arsenal is known for playing beautiful football, which is all about passing and possession. But now it's not working.
Liverpool's pressing, especially at the start of the game, was incredibly intense, forcing Arsenal to launch long balls from their own half. And when you tried to break through their high-pressure pressing with ground passing, you were forced to launch long balls because the ball was already in front of you, leaving you no choice but to do so.
Needless to say, the ball was easily won by Van Dijk. Van Dijk chested it down, and as soon as the ball landed, he pushed it forward. Wijnaldum took the ball and dribbled forward two steps before encountering a defender and immediately passing it to Henderson.
Henderson made a long diagonal pass without taking a single step and found Arnold moving forward. Arnold's attacking attributes are still commendable. The moment Arnold received the ball, he sensed someone coming up, and his teammates also reminded him that someone was behind him.
He even knew it must be Lin Hao, that is, Lin Hao, because he wasn't wearing any.
Here's a misconception: in football, physical prowess isn't just about size. Of course, someone like Maguire is certainly no slouch.
However, Messi and Arnold are certainly not in good physical condition.
This was something many people couldn't understand before, until Lin Hao appeared.
Lin Hao looks to be about the same size as Arnold, but in reality, Arnold could hit him without any problem.
Lin Hao is currently practicing sparring diligently, which is the most important thing for him right now.
But there's something else Lin Hao just learned: his trainer, Liu Chang, told him that his fighting ability isn't necessarily weak.
First, there's no problem with balance; second, there's enough explosive power. With these two points, even if he's weak, he won't be as weak as Lin Hao was on the field, flying away at the slightest touch.
Liu Chang told him a key point: you shouldn't think about defense, because as a newcomer, you don't know anyone and you can't be sure of the strength of the opponent.
This is what is called adapting to the league.
As for you, you don't need to defend at all, because you know that the other person is stronger than you. If they challenge you, you should deal with them with the same mindset you would use to challenge them.
Lin Hao was going to try it out today, but he felt that their theory must be correct, even though they didn't know what the intensity of the confrontation would be.
This made Lin Hao realize why fouls committed behind the scenes were so strictly enforced.
Lin Hao caught up with Arnold and was about to challenge him when Arnold passed the ball directly.
.
The ball was passed, arcing across the ground into the penalty area to find Mane, who cut inside from the other side. Mane then shot under pressure.
The ball went just a little bit wide of the goal.
Liverpool's first attack almost succeeded.
When Arsenal took the penalty kick, Liverpool was clearly telling them, "I'm going to take it from you!"
This sense of oppression can only be felt when you stand on the opposite side.