Tang Long Demonstrates Technical Defense, Rogue Corner Kick Tactics Strike Again!

The sight of Wenger, his beard bristling and eyes wide with fury, yelling at Ramsey, left the Arsenal players on the field momentarily stunned.

When did the usually refined Professor Wenger become so irritable?

However, the noisy cheers at Wembley Stadium quickly brought the Arsenal players back to their senses.

This EFL Cup final is, for them, the final of the entire season!

With the league title out of reach, the UEFA Champions League out of the question, and an early exit from the FA Cup, this EFL Cup will determine whether the team can end the season with a trophy and a relatively respectable result.

The EFL Cup is their fig leaf for this season, Arsenal's last attempt after years without a title.

"Cheer up, guys! Let's score one more before halftime!"

On the bench, Podolski suddenly stood up and rushed to the sidelines to encourage his teammates.

"Don't let Tang draw you out of the area, and be sure to watch out for his passing opportunities!"

Podolski and Tang Long were teammates at Inter Milan for half a year, and no one in the entire Arsenal team knew Tang Long's technical characteristics better than him.

Although he didn't start in this match, Podolski did his best to tell his teammates how to defend against Tang Long before the game.

But he just couldn't defend that previous shot. It was because Bellerin was drawn by Tang Long that he missed the gap behind Sterling, which allowed Tang Long to immediately pass the ball back to Sterling with a volley, which led to the subsequent powerful shot from the middle.

Podolski's loud shouts from the sidelines also attracted Tang Long's attention.

He looked towards the sidelines.

Watching his former teammate, who once wore the blue and black stripes alongside him, now wearing a red Arsenal jersey and directing his teammates from the sidelines.

Before Tang Long could utter any sentiments, he turned his head and immediately joined the fray against Cazorla.

Cazorla is a very cunning player.

He is not tall, only 1.68 meters, and looks very inconspicuous among the tall Arsenal players, like a chick standing among a flock of red-crowned cranes.

However, four years ago, when Cazorla joined Malaga from Malaga in Arsenal La Liga for a transfer fee of 19 million euros, he had just participated in his first training session after joining the team.

His superb skills not only amazed all his teammates, but also immediately won over head coach Wenger!

In front of the media, Wenger spared no praise for the diminutive midfielder.

"Do you believe it or not? If you gave me 11 Cazorla, I could win the Premier League title!"

This statement is certainly an exaggeration, because Cazorla is a midfielder, and how could an 11-man midfield combination possibly win a championship?

However, Cazorla's superb skills on the pitch are clearly one or two levels above his other Arsenal teammates.

What's even more commendable is that he's particularly good at understanding the head coach's intentions.

Faced with Tang Long's pressing, Cazorla calmly dribbled the ball towards the sideline, while Tang Long continued to push him outwards.

After a while, the two of them moved away from the danger zone.

Just as Tang Long was Cazorla's next move, the latter suddenly used the outside of his foot to flick the ball and turn, trying to get past Tang Long!

This is a typical Iniesta- style 180-degree spin on the spot, using agile body movements to instantly break free from the opponent's encirclement.

Tang Long was very familiar with this move, as he had used it many times on the field.

He saw through Cazorla's intentions at a glance!

Therefore, when Cazorla turned around, Tang Long's center of gravity did not get close. Instead, he anticipated the direction Cazorla would move after turning around, took a step back, and blocked her position.

Seeing that his tactic hadn't fooled his opponent, Cazorla felt a chill run down his spine. He could only use one hand to support Tang Long, control the ball at his feet, and then make another plan.

Cazorla thought to himself, "This kid's speed and defensive anticipation are top-notch. With my physique alone, I probably can't get past him."

Although Cazorla had his head down, his overall strategic vision allowed him to anticipate his position on the right side of the field.

He felt that instead of passing the ball back to the danger zone, it would be better to draw a foul from Tang Long and get a free kick on the right side.

Although Arsenal practiced a rogue corner kick tactic before the match, if they can create a free kick in that position, it's actually similar to a corner kick, so they can try it again.

So Cazorla suddenly pushed the ball forward, trying to draw Tang Long's weight away, and Tang Long did indeed take a step forward.

Seeing that Tang Long was about to fall into the trap, Cazorla was secretly delighted.

Although he was not tall and had short legs, his walking frequency was quite fast;

He feigned a forced cross, but then, at the last moment, he cut the ball back!

Snap!

According to Cazorla's plan, his spike was extremely fast and his center of gravity was well-positioned, so Tang Long would definitely extend his leg to intercept it;

All I have to do is lean against his leg and fall down, and the referee will definitely blow his whistle, giving me a free kick on the right side.

To Cazorla's surprise, he still couldn't fool Tang Long this time!

He did manage to smash the ball and shift his weight back, but Tang Long's sudden stop and weight adjustment were a beat faster than his own.

With a flick of his left leg and a twist of his hips, Tang Long firmly positioned himself, pinning Cazorla down and sending him flying with a powerful shove.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh--"

In the stands of Wembley Stadium, Manchester City fans erupted in enthusiastic applause!

These fans are seasoned football fans and know their stuff. They cheered not only for assists and brilliant goals, but also for Tang Long's precise defense.

"Heh, overestimating yourself."

Pellegrini sneered from the sidelines.

Who is Tang Long?

He can play as a striker, attacking midfielder, or defensive midfielder.

Putting aside his physical strength, defending against Cazorla alone would be no problem at all.

Pellegrini often discusses Tang Long's defense with his assistant coach, saying that he has a very fast start and is a technically skilled defensive player.

Cazorla's footwork was nothing more than amateurish skill in Tang Long's eyes.

Trying to show off your skills in front of Guan Yu? What were you thinking, Cazorla? Why didn't you just send it back already?

Tang Long's successful defense thwarted Cazorla's plan to create a free kick on the wing.

However, Tang Long's other Manchester City teammates weren't as clever.

Or rather, they are facing a more difficult situation!

After a close contest between the two teams, in the 31st minute of the first half, Welbeck made a strong run down the wing.

Compared to Cazorla, Welbeck's footwork was incredibly rough, but his speed was unbelievable!

Kolarov, who was pulled to the baseline for a one-on-one fight, gained no advantage whatsoever;

In the end, he had to throw himself out in a sliding tackle to barely manage to deflect Welbeck's cross out of bounds.

"Good shot! Kolarov!"

Goalkeeper Caballero also went up and gave Kolarov a high-five.

This is a common body language exchange between goalkeepers and defenders on the field, used to encourage a successful defensive play.

However, seeing that Arsenal had won another corner kick, Ranocchia gave Caballero a heads-up.

"This time we can't let them surround you. I'll tell my teammates to do everything we can to push aside those tall Arsenal players and give you space to observe and attack."

Caballero gave Ranocchia a thumbs-up with delight.

The two men are 183 cm and 195 cm tall, respectively. When they stand together, Ranocchia looks more like a goalkeeper in terms of physique.

This was Arsenal's second corner kick in the first half, and all the Arsenal players immediately perked up.

In fact, although the score is currently 1-1, Arsenal is being completely outmatched by Manchester City in terms of both possession and shots on goal!

In terms of possession, Manchester City had 61% compared to Arsenal's 39%.

Their shooting ability was even more abysmal.

By the 32nd minute, Manchester City had eight shots, four of which were on target. If it weren't for Cech's several brilliant saves, Arsenal would have been overwhelmed long ago.

Arsenal, on the other hand, only managed one shot, Ramsey's header from a corner kick, and had no other threatening attacks.

So it's no wonder that when the team got a rare corner kick opportunity, all the Arsenal players were like they'd been injected with adrenaline.

They high-fived each other in celebration, as if they hadn't just won a set piece, but scored a goal against the opponent!

Seeing the Arsenal players' unusual performance, Pellegrini on the sidelines looked completely bewildered.

Is that a corner kick or a penalty kick?

Cazorla took the penalty again.

Before taking the free throw, Cazorla glanced at the penalty area, then raised one arm.

During the last corner kick tactic, he raised one arm, making a V-sign victory sign.

This time, he again raised one arm, making a V-sign.

Having learned from past mistakes, Manchester City's defenders immediately realized that Cazorla would likely have to take the penalty kick to the far post again. They had already learned their lesson once, and they couldn't afford to make the same mistake twice!

This time, center -Ranocchia directed the tall full -Kolarov to stand at the far post of the goal.

The others continued to employ man-to-man marking tactics.

Cazorla had barely taken his first run-up step, and before he could even kick the ball, just like last time, Welbeck, Giroud, and Koscielny instantly surged into the penalty area, blocking goalkeeper Caballero's path.

"Get them all out of here!"

Ranocchia, Otamendi, and Toure moved quickly, keeping the defenders in front of them, so Welbeck, Giroud, and Koscielny were pushed back by the Manchester City players behind them after only a few steps.

The wall that had surrounded Caballero was quickly pushed aside, giving him space to jump.

Caballero was also focused, eagerly anticipating where Cazorla's shot would land.

Seeing that Ranocchia cleverly defused the opponent's rogue tactic, Tang Long, standing at the top of the arc, gave him a thumbs up.

Tang Long and Bony remained steadfast in their positions, ready to defend and launch counterattacks at any moment.

However, just as Cazorla took three steps and his left leg struck the soccer ball, Tang Long realized that things were not as simple as he had imagined.

With his superior anticipation, he was the first on the field to sense that there was something fishy about the ball!

"Forward post!"

Tang Long loudly reminded his teammates that the ball was at the near post.

However, Cazorla's shot was extremely fast; Tang Long finished shouting, the ball had already reached Welbeck's position at the near post.

Why is Welbeck at the near post?

He was originally surrounding Caballero, but after being pushed away by Otamendi, he used the force of the push to suddenly rush forward, instantly breaking free of Otamendi's defense and rushing to the near post!

At that moment, Cazorla's pass at the near post arrived just in time, and Welbeck effortlessly flicked the ball with his head, changing its trajectory.

This sudden flick-on at the near post caught Manchester City's defenders completely off guard.

Meanwhile, the other Arsenal players weren't idle either. Taking advantage of the moment when the Manchester City players were a bit distracted, Giroud and Koscielny quickly rallied and stood in front of Caballero!

The wall is back!

Caballero judged that the ball's trajectory was going to fly towards the middle. He had already planned it out. As long as he jumped, he would have plenty of time and space to catch the ball halfway through its flight.

But just as he was about to move, two tall Arsenal players surrounded him. These two men, like mountains, not only blocked his view but also hindered his path forward.

"Get out of my way!"

In a moment of desperation, Caballero shoved two Arsenal players away with a forceful push.

Although they pushed the person away, they also lost the opportunity to hit the ball!

Chaos reigned inside the penalty area, with players rushing in and out in disarray.

After the ball flew past Caballero's attacking range, it suddenly dropped, and although no one headed it, it struck Gündoğan squarely in the waist.

Gündoğan was startled at first and turned to clear the ball with one foot, but his other foot reached out before he could!

It's Giroud!

In the midst of the chaotic scramble, Giroud, with his height and long legs, managed to poke the ball into the goal before Gündoğan could clear it!

2 to 1!

Arsenal have taken the lead!

Ranocchia was a bit confused.

He could have easily kept up with Giroud.

However, just as he started moving, two Arsenal players suddenly rushed over and squeezed him. Ranocchia, caught off guard, was intercepted halfway, leaving Giroud unmarked!

Giroud, who scored the goal, was completely unmarked.

Seeing the corner kick tactic succeed again, all the Arsenal players in the penalty area raised their arms in celebration, and the Arsenal anthem resounded Wembley Stadium!

In an Arsenal fan group in China, songs were being sung loudly!

"We, Arsenal, are invincible!"

"We, Arsenal, are invincible!"

"We, Arsenal, are invincible!"

An excited Giroud, arms outstretched, sprinted all the way to the corner flag.

Just like Wenger had lifted Ramsey earlier, Giroud also scooped up the petite Cazorla into his arms.

"We did it again!"

"Haha, they've been fooled!"

Wenger also pumped his fist and roared three times on the sidelines, showing that he had been under a lot of pressure and this goal was a chance for him to completely release it.

Pellegrini touched his brow.

He was a little irritated at this moment.

The Chile turned to the fourth official and complained, "Arsenal have used this tactic of obstructing defenders and the goalkeeper on two consecutive corner kicks. Isn't that a foul?"

Isn't this a violation of sportsmanship?

Meanwhile, an enraged goalkeeper Caballero, stormed toward the referee to lodge a complaint.

"Referee! My teammates just pushed away those Arsenal players who were surrounding me, and they immediately surrounded me again, they're all blocking my way, how am I supposed to move!"

The referee rolled his eyes at him.

"Then why didn't you keep pushing? They were clearly moving faster, okay? There was no foul!"

(There will be another chapter around 1:30 PM)