Chapter 52: A Footballing Empire — The Supreme Ruler
Time: Sunday, 3 November 2012
Place: Old Trafford
Old Trafford is also called the "Theatre of Dreams." For a player, playing here is an honor;
to conquer it is a huge glory.
Xia Qi stood in the players' tunnel and heard the passionate Red Devils song outside. Though it was United's anthem, Xia Qi felt his blood boil and his fighting spirit rise.
Those who watch for free are often easier to get fired up than those who play.
Suddenly Xia Qi felt someone staring at him. Following the gaze, he saw Robin van Persie.
Their eyes collided.
In an instant the players' tunnel turned cold.
Killer intent —
it objectively existed.
Van Persie opened his mouth but didn't speak; Xia Qi read the lip movement as: Welcome to my world.
Childish!
To think the Dutch stick-wielder would be so childish!
No wonder he told the BBC: "I moved for the title."
As if that made him innocent!
Xia Qi ignored him — he was already eighteen; he'd been to kindergarten.
Xia Qi's gaze passed van Persie and fell on his own teammates; he noticed his captain, Vermaelen, either bouncing or wiggling his shoulders.
That was a sign of nerves.
A misunderstanding!
Absolutely a misunderstanding!
If this rookie is not nervous,
a veteran captain should not be nervous!
Vermaelen: I play, you watch — are they the same?
…
…
"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Penguin Sports' live broadcast. Thank you for staying up late. This is the 2012–2013 Premier League, Round 10, a top-of-the-table clash: Manchester United at home versus Arsenal.
"I'm commentator Zhang Lu."
"I'm Zhan Jun."
Zhan Jun: "Tonight is Arsenal's revenge. Not only did United sign Arsenal's former captain Robin van Persie in the summer window, but Arsenal have also lost three consecutive matches to United."
Zhang Lu: "Before the match the experts all predicted the home side, United, would win.
But I think Arsenal have a slightly better chance. First, because of Van Persie's betrayal, the whole Arsenal squad is united in hatred — the wrathful underdog often wins!
Second, Arsenal have been in very good form lately, especially the high-efficiency link-up between Wilshere and Xia Qi; I wouldn't say it's worse than Real Madrid's front line.
I'm talking about efficiency, not goal count.
United's victories over Chelsea were a bit scrappy and somewhat favored by referees…"
"…Ladies and gentlemen, the players are out. I'll announce the starting line-ups."
Manchester United line up in a 4–4–2:
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
Defenders: Jonny Evans, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Rafael
Midfield: Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia
Forwards: Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney
Paul Scholes, Jesse Lingard, Javier Hernández, Nani… on the bench.
Arsenal also line up in a 4–4–2:
Goalkeeper: Vito Mannone
Defenders: Thomas Vermaelen, Per Mertesacker, André Santos, Bacary Sagna
Midfield: Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey
Forwards: Xia Qi, Lukas Podolski
Substitutes: Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Olivier Giroud…
"The match has begun. Manchester United in home red attack from left to right on your screen; Arsenal in away purple attack from right to left. United are on the attack now."
A few minutes earlier:
"Ding dong"
"Please choose 'Training' or 'Match' mode."
"Match."
"Please choose your field position: A Forward, B Midfield…"
"A."
"System detects the host team is currently in a predicament, matching the host with the attribute [The Supreme Emperor]."
"Footballing empire, the Nine-Five Ruler, suppress the masses, reign over the Theatre of Dreams."
"Please choose 'Manual Mode' or 'One-Click AFK Mode'."
"Friendly reminder: during AFK mode, the system will automatically perform all required actions on behalf of the host."
"One-Click AFK!"
"Relax and AFK; the system will automatically complete everything, freeing your feet and bringing the host an easy and joyful match experience! Match experience begins."
Players shook hands on the pitch; Ferguson and Arsène Wenger shook hands on the touchline. They spoke something to each other and Ferguson slapped Wenger on the shoulder laughing heartily.
From that image alone you'd never tell they were lifelong enemies.
But the broadcast director was cruel: as the two turned back to their benches the camera gave a close-up.
With their backs turned, the smiles on their faces vanished in an instant and were replaced by serious, heavy looks. The speed of their face-change was rare.
This match could not be lost.
Both had reasons they had to win.
If Wenger won, he'd have the confidence to bring back that invincible Arsenal; he'd surely persuade the owner to gamble on future returns and become the biggest buyer in the winter window.
If Ferguson won, United's biggest rival for the title this season would be only themselves — he could likely retire with his head held high.
A proud man like him would never allow a half-hearted ending.
Yet for both men, tonight didn't look optimistic.
Because the opponents' starting line-up was close to what they had expected — and that's not good. That showed the old rival had faith in his lineup.
"This is our strong line-up — you break it."
Ferguson adjusted his thoughts and popped a piece of gum into his mouth.
Wenger stood with both hands in his coat pockets, staring ahead.
…
…
After kickoff, United attacked Arsenal's goal amid the fans' chanting.
Ferguson's United was like the midsummer sun — always brutal.
Their three lines pushed forward in unison, launching a press-based offense, but the rhythm was neither rushed nor slow — measured.
Although Cazorla was excellent, he lacked Vieira's steel; without that midfield backbone, Arsenal were being pressed hard by United.
All three lines had retreated to the edge of the penalty area.
Ferguson saw Xia Qi drifting near Evra and Ferdinand, ready to spring the offside trap and strike on the break.
His palms began to sweat involuntarily, but his face remained calm.
The gum tastes nice, I'm very calm!
Wenger was not calm either; he worried that under United's intense pressure the back line might collapse before the forward could counterattack.
In the 2nd minute, United right-back Rafael sent a straight through ball to the edge of the box. Arsenal captain Vermaelen booted it out from inside the area.
But the ball ricocheted and landed at van Persie's feet.
"Vermaelen cleared!"
"Oh no!"
"Van Persie shoots!"
"Goal! Just 2 minutes in, former Gunner Robin van Persie slays his old club and scores for his new masters."
"This means van Persie has now scored against every Premier League club — a great record."
United took the lead after just two minutes.
At the moment of the goal, Ferguson leapt from his seat…
On the pitch, van Persie motioned to his teammates not to celebrate.
That made the 10,000+ Arsenal fans feel a little better.
Wenger remained seated, not changing his posture, as if his team weren't the ones behind on the scoreboard.
"The worst has happened."
Pat Rice said.
"Wasn't this within our expectations? We've told them how to counter after conceding. Now the only thing we can do is trust them."
"…"
(END CHAPTER)
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