The King Of Arsenal

Chapter 98: 93. Againts Aston Villa PT.3



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As the clock ticked past the 50th minute, it was clear that Villa's initial burst of energy had been absorbed. Arsenal had weathered the storm, their focus unwavering. The game was still in their hands, and now it was time to press their advantage. Francesco, ever the opportunist, knew that his moment could come again. With the team in sync and the strategy clear, Arsenal were ready to finish what they started.

The second half continued with Arsenal displaying calmness and poise, despite Aston Villa's determined push to turn the tide. The visitors were relentless, pressing high and seeking every opportunity to break through Arsenal's defensive line. But the Gunners, led by the experienced Per Mertesacker and the ever-alert Laurent Koscielny, held their ground, maintaining their shape and composure under pressure.

Villa's forwards, particularly Benteke, were visibly frustrated. They tried to find gaps, but Arsenal's midfield duo of Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla were everywhere, closing down spaces and intercepting passes. Coquelin's aggression was crucial, breaking up Villa's rhythm and setting the tempo for Arsenal's counters.

Despite Villa's efforts, Arsenal's defense was unyielding, and it wasn't long before the Gunners began to find their feet again. In the 54th minute, a well-timed interception by Nacho Monreal set the stage for a swift counter-attack. Monreal, calm under pressure, played a simple pass to Cazorla, who, as always, was a picture of composure and vision.

Cazorla, surveying the field, spotted Mesut Özil making a run into space. The Spaniard didn't hesitate, threading a precise pass that sliced through Villa's midfield. Özil, with his trademark elegance, controlled the ball effortlessly, evading a desperate challenge from Tom Cleverley. The German playmaker, always with an eye for creativity, looked up and spotted Olivier Giroud moving into position just outside the box.

Giroud, holding off his marker with strength and finesse, laid the ball off perfectly with a deft touch, sending it back into Özil's path. Özil didn't break stride, taking a quick touch to set himself before coolly slotting the ball past an onrushing Brad Guzan. The Emirates erupted in cheers as the ball nestled into the bottom corner of the net.

The scoreboard now read Arsenal 3-0 Aston Villa, and the Gunners were in complete control. Özil's goal was a masterclass in teamwork and precision, a testament to Arsenal's fluid style of play. The players mobbed Özil in celebration, their joy evident as they acknowledged the brilliance of the move that led to the goal.

Paul Lambert, the Villa manager, was visibly animated on the sidelines. His team looked disheartened, their body language reflecting the uphill battle they faced. Lambert shouted instructions, urging his players to keep their heads up and fight for every ball. He knew the importance of keeping morale high, even in the face of adversity.

Villa tried to respond immediately, but Arsenal's dominance was now undeniable. Every time Villa attempted to push forward, they were met with a wall of red shirts. Arsenal's midfield and defense worked in unison, cutting out passes, and launching counter-attacks with precision.

Giroud, Özil, and Walcott continued to torment Villa's backline, their movement and interplay causing constant headaches for the visitors. Giroud, in particular, was a handful, using his physicality to hold up the ball and bring his teammates into play. His selfless work rate was evident in his assist, and he remained a key focal point in Arsenal's attacking moves.

Villa's confusion and frustration were palpable. They struggled to find a foothold in the game, with their passes often going astray under Arsenal's relentless pressing. Fabian Delph and Carlos Sánchez tried to regain control in midfield, but they found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer determination and energy of Arsenal's players.

As the game entered the 60th minute, Arsenal's confidence grew with every passing second. They were now playing with freedom and flair, their passes crisp, and their movement off the ball a joy to watch. The crowd sensed a fourth goal could be on the horizon, and their voices grew louder, urging the team forward.

Wenger, stood on the touchline, calmly assessing the situation. He knew the importance of maintaining focus, even with a three-goal cushion. His instructions to the players were clear—continue to control the game, stay disciplined, and seize any further opportunities that came their way.

Francesco, having been a constant threat on the left wing, continued to make darting runs, stretching Villa's defense and creating space for his teammates. His confidence was sky-high, and he relished every chance to take on his marker, driving forward with purpose and precision.

Villa's attempts to mount a comeback grew increasingly desperate. They pushed more men forward, but it only served to leave them exposed at the back. Arsenal, with their superior technical ability and tactical discipline, were more than happy to exploit the spaces left by Villa's high press.

The game ticked into the 63rd minute, and Arsenal were relentless in their pursuit of a fourth goal. The atmosphere at the Emirates was electric, with the home crowd fully behind their team, urging them to continue their dominance. Aston Villa, already struggling to cope with Arsenal's fluid and incisive play, found themselves further pushed onto the back foot.

Santi Cazorla, the metronome in Arsenal's midfield, was in his element. His touch was immaculate, his vision razor-sharp. As he collected the ball in the center of the park, he lifted his head, scanning the field with a calmness that belied the intensity of the match. Spotting Theo Walcott peeling away from his marker, Cazorla knew exactly what to do.

With a deft flick of his boot, Cazorla sent a beautifully weighted long pass over the top of Villa's defense. The ball soared through the air, bypassing the midfield battle, and landed perfectly in Walcott's stride. Kieran Richardson, scrambling to keep up, was left chasing shadows as Walcott surged forward with blistering pace.

Walcott's touch was sublime, cushioning the ball effortlessly as he bore down on goal. With only Brad Guzan to beat, the crowd rose to their feet, the anticipation palpable. Walcott, ever the composed finisher, kept his cool as Guzan rushed off his line, attempting to narrow the angle.

With a subtle shift of his body, Walcott feinted to his left, sending Guzan sprawling the wrong way. In an instant, Walcott slotted the ball past the helpless keeper, sending it rolling into the bottom corner of the net. The stadium erupted, a cacophony of cheers and applause reverberating through the stands. Arsenal had made it 4-0, and Walcott's celebration was one of sheer joy, arms outstretched as he soaked in the adulation of the fans.

Cazorla, who had provided the assist, jogged over to join the celebrations, a wide grin on his face. The pair exchanged a quick embrace, their delight evident. It was a goal that encapsulated Arsenal's attacking philosophy—quick thinking, precise execution, and an unwavering belief in their style of play.

Villa's players, meanwhile, looked dejected. Kieran Richardson knelt on the pitch, hands on his knees, shaking his head in frustration. Guzan, still on the ground, pounded the turf in anger, knowing there was little he could have done to prevent the goal. Paul Lambert, standing on the sidelines, barked out instructions, urging his players to stay focused despite the mounting scoreline.

Arsenal, however, were now in full control. The confidence flowing through the team was palpable, and they played with a swagger that showcased their dominance. Every pass, every movement was executed with precision, and Villa simply couldn't find a way to stem the tide.

Walcott's goal seemed to break Villa's spirit. Their attempts to press and harry Arsenal became half-hearted, their energy sapped by the relentless wave of Arsenal's attacks. Coquelin and Cazorla continued to dictate the tempo in midfield, their partnership proving to be the foundation upon which Arsenal's dominance was built.

As the game progressed, Arsenal showed no signs of letting up. Francesco, still a constant threat on the wing, continued to terrorize Villa's defense with his direct runs and clever footwork. His link-up play with Özil and Giroud was a joy to watch, each pass and movement perfectly synchronized.

In the 70th minute, Wenger decided to make a change, bringing on Aaron Ramsey for Coquelin. The Welshman's introduction brought fresh legs and a new dynamic to Arsenal's midfield. Ramsey immediately got involved, driving forward with purpose and adding an extra layer of creativity to Arsenal's already potent attack.

Villa, to their credit, continued to fight, but it was clear they were outmatched. Their forwards, including Benteke, tried to create openings, but Arsenal's defense remained resolute. Mertesacker and Koscielny marshaled the backline with authority, cutting out crosses and making crucial interceptions whenever Villa threatened.

The game rolled into the 73rd minute, and Arsenal continued their relentless assault on Aston Villa's defense. The Gunners, fueled by the roaring support of the Emirates crowd, showed no mercy, and it was clear they were hunting for more goals. Francesco, ever the livewire on the left flank, sensed an opportunity.

Picking up the ball near the halfway line, Francesco drove forward with purpose. His acceleration left Alan Hutton trailing in his wake, the Villa defender struggling to keep up. As Francesco approached the penalty area, he lifted his head, scanning for options. Spotting Santi Cazorla in acres of space near the edge of the box, he delivered a pinpoint pass with the outside of his boot.

Cazorla, in his usual composed manner, received the ball with a deft touch. With the Villa defense scrambling to close him down, the Spaniard wasted no time. He unleashed a thunderous shot that arrowed towards the top corner. Brad Guzan, despite his best efforts, could only get a fingertip to the ball as it rocketed past him and slammed into the net.

The Emirates erupted in a cacophony of cheers, the fans celebrating Arsenal's fifth goal of the afternoon. Cazorla, beaming with delight, ran towards the corner flag, sliding on his knees as his teammates rushed to join him. Francesco was the first to reach him, the pair sharing a jubilant embrace as the crowd chanted their names.

From the touchline, Arsène Wenger applauded, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. The team's performance had been nothing short of spectacular, and Wenger decided it was time to make some changes. He signaled for a double substitution: Theo Walcott was replaced by Mathieu Flamini, and Olivier Giroud made way for Tomáš Rosický. These changes shuffled the formation, pushing Francesco into the central striker role.

The reshuffle didn't disrupt Arsenal's momentum. If anything, it injected fresh energy into their play. Francesco, now leading the line, embraced the challenge with enthusiasm, constantly looking to exploit Villa's fatigued defense. His movement was sharp, his positioning clever, always staying on the shoulder of the last defender, ready to pounce on any opportunity.

As the clock ticked into the 90th minute, the fourth official raised the board, indicating three minutes of added time. The fans, still buzzing from the earlier goals, remained on their feet, eager to see if Arsenal could add one more to their tally.

In the 92nd minute, Arsenal's patience paid off. Héctor Bellerín, who had been a constant threat down the right flank, received the ball near the touchline. With a quick glance into the box, he whipped in a dangerous cross, his delivery curving beautifully towards the penalty spot.

Francesco, positioned between Villa's center-backs Jores Okore and Ciaran Clark, anticipated the cross perfectly. Timing his run to perfection, he leaped into the air, meeting the ball with a powerful header. Despite the close attention of both defenders, Francesco managed to generate enough power to direct the ball past Guzan and into the net.

The crowd erupted once more, the noise almost deafening as Francesco wheeled away in celebration. His teammates surrounded him, their faces alight with joy. The brace was a fitting reward for Francesco's tireless effort and clinical finishing throughout the match.

Villa's players could only look on, dejected and exhausted. They had been thoroughly outplayed by an Arsenal side at the peak of their powers. Paul Lambert stood on the touchline, his arms crossed, unable to hide his frustration.

As the final whistle blew moments later, the scoreline read Arsenal 6-0 Aston Villa. The home crowd rose to their feet, applauding their team's outstanding performance. Francesco, still catching his breath, looked up at the sea of cheering fans and felt a surge of pride. This was a game to remember, a statement of Arsenal's attacking prowess and their determination to dominate.

The players began to make their way off the pitch, exchanging handshakes and embraces. Wenger greeted each of his players with a warm smile, offering words of encouragement. When Francesco approached, the manager patted him on the back, his approval evident.

"Well done, Francesco," Wenger said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "Your performance today was exceptional."

Francesco nodded, a broad smile spreading across his face. "Thank you, boss. It feels amazing to contribute like this."

As the players headed down the tunnel, the atmosphere in the Emirates remained electric. The fans continued to sing, celebrating a victory that would be talked about for weeks to come. For Francesco and his teammates, it was a day to savor, a perfect demonstration of their skill, unity, and relentless drive for success.

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Name : Francesco Lee

Age : 16 (2014)

Birthplace : London, England

Football Club : Arsenal First Team

Championship History : None

Match Played: 3

Goal: 17

Assist: 6

MOTM: 4


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