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Chapter 186 The Seven Year Itch
The FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world.

Seven years ago, due to the refurbishment of Wembley Stadium, Manchester United won the championship after beating Millwall at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

But in the past seven years, Manchester United has reached the final twice. The first time was six years ago when they lost to their current opponent Arsenal and lost in a penalty shootout.

Then there was the restart of Wembley Stadium. Manchester United faced Chelsea in the final. As a result, Manchester United lost 0-1.

It has not won the championship for seven years. As Manchester United, which has won the most championships, when the team is not in a downturn, such an ending always seems a bit embarrassing.

Especially the opponents who lost the previous two finals were Arsenal and Chelsea.

For Arsenal, defeating Manchester United to win the championship six years ago was the last championship they won in England. This time, it is another reincarnation.

A seven-year itch and a six-year reincarnation.

Who is more eager?

This time is the 18th time for the two teams to enter the FA Cup final, and they are still tied for first place.

However, in the previous 17 times, Manchester United won 11 times, while Arsenal had one less. In this regard, Manchester United seems to have some advantages.

However, in the 21st century, Arsenal has won the championship three times, but Manchester United has only one.

So in any case, these two teams can only be opponents.

In 99, Ryan Giggs went crazy once, and that time was like a magic weapon, but for Manchester United players, it was already 12 years ago, and this reincarnation was even more complete than Arsenal's.

Today's Manchester United lineup is more complete. Although most of them have old injuries caused by fatigue, these are not enough to affect the performance of the players, especially now that the passion is soaring.

London is not Arsenal's world. Although it is their home stadium, when it comes to Wembley, the two teams are at least equal in terms of the number of fans.

There is no shortage of neutral fans, such as Chelsea, Fulham and other supporters, and there are even fans of other national teams.However, these have nothing to do with Manchester United or Arsenal. What both sides have to do at this time is to seriously prepare for the game.

"Offense, I need offense in this game, don't be afraid of losing the game, defense is very important, but if there is no offense and defense, it is meaningless." Ferguson's words can basically be regarded as a universal rhetoric. What is "if there is no offense There's no point in defending anymore', everyone understands that this sentence is actually the same in reverse.

"In this game, Rooney, you are alone in the front, Obertan and Valencia, you two support the attack. Paul, you should stay on the right, Mike on the left, Carrick, you should help defend more, don't let the center be empty. .”

"In the backcourt, Vidic, are you okay? Okay, in this game, you pay attention to the protection of the center, Leo, you have to expand the defensive range, try to flank Fabregas with Carrick in the center as much as possible, so that Mike Let it out, let him have time to participate in the attack, OK!"

"Rafael, Fabio, the two of you must seize the opportunity and don't be blind, do you understand?"

"Okay, Thirteen, you know what you should do, you must grasp the direction of the pass, and don't keep the danger in front of you."

"Let's go, let's get rid of Arsenal..."

Manchester United dispatched a vigorous lineup. Except for Scholes and Ferdinand, no one else on the field was over 30 years old, and there were four born in the 90s.

In contrast, Arsenal seems to be more mature here. Goalkeeper Almunia, defenders Sagna, Vermaelen, Gallas, Clichy, midfielders Fabregas, Arshavin, Denilson, striker Bent Na, Walcott, Van Persie.

It can be seen from the lineup that the two teams are going to play against each other, and they both play 433, which seems quite aggressive.

At the beginning, Arsenal gave Manchester United a bad start. Fabregas took the ball from midfield, and Bendtner rushed the ball in front of Ferdinand to Walcott, who was on the right, and the latter was on the edge of the penalty area. Facing the ball with a dunk, Vidic sideways dodged the supplementary defense and volleyed with his left foot.

Niu Shisan, who was blocked from his sight, instinctively swooped to the side, blocking the football that suddenly flew out of the baseline.

This allowed the All England fans to see Niu Shisan's almost instinctive reaction and judgment once again. At the same time, it also made the audience realize that this will be a real battle between dragons and tigers. , Whether he can play a beautiful game is beyond doubt. As for scoring goals, judging from this attack, there should be no shortage.

The fact is indeed the case, did not change the thinking of the game because of the opponent's fast attack, Manchester United began to counterattack under Mike's scheduling.

The football was handed over to Valencia who retreated from the side after a simple inversion in the backcourt. The Ecuadorian midfielder took the ball and inserted it obliquely into the hinterland of Arsenal. When accelerating the chase, the young Denilson in front had already chosen to foul, but it was a pity that Valencia stuffed the ball into the penalty area before falling to the ground. After getting the ball, Rooney ignored the referee's whistle and shot directly. The football was properly prepared Almunia hugged firmly.

However, the referee still gave Manchester United a free kick in the front court. Of course, because of Rooney's offense, Denilson's action that could have taken the card was only a warning.

At a distance of nearly 30 meters, Mike did not shoot directly, but chose to pass the ball diagonally to the side. This kind of pass made Arsenal in the penalty area stunned, but Obertin who took the ball didn't care about it. Xiang directly wiped Sania, and then volleyed vigorously.

Almunia responded well and hit the ball with both fists. The already chaotic Arsenal penalty area was more like a stirred quagmire at this time, and it was difficult to distinguish.

Chaos is generally good for an attacking team. In such a situation, as long as the ball arrives, it doesn’t matter which direction it is. There will be bumps and bumps.

However, Scholes' stab shot in front of Gallas was blocked. Almost everyone in the penalty area saw that it was blocked with one hand without gloves, but the referee didn't see it. Manchester United were also stunned because of this. , missed the opportunity to make up shots.

Although a group of people argued around the referee afterwards, the referee chose the first judgment, which was a beautiful clearance.

But the reality of the slow-motion replay shows that the football was indeed hit by Denilson who retreated into the penalty area. Both the linesman and the referee were blocked from sight.

The camera showed that it was not the Arsenal players who blocked the referee, but the Manchester United players.

The attacks of both sides are relatively fierce, but the score has not changed. The substitute players on both sides have begun to warm up, because both Ferguson and Wenger are very anxious at this time. In the last game of this season, no one wants to Losing is especially related to the ownership of a champion.

"Mike, you and Carrick change positions occasionally. Don't let Cesc Fabregas adapt to your defense. They are messed up. Only our offensive efficiency can go up!"

"De Nilson, please pass the ball more. Fabregas' body has not recovered yet. The cooperation between you and Arshavin should be more direct and try to reduce his burden."

The two coaches made arrangements separately, but the result was that the game was deadlocked. The aspects that were good for both teams were a bit unsustainable for a while. Arsenal's passing speed has increased, but the threat of the ball has decreased. Yes, Arshavin always overlapped with the players in front of him. Because Mike and Carrick deliberately targeted Fabregas on Manchester United's side, the role of the two on the offensive end was virtually reduced.

This is a situation neither of the two head coaches wants to see. Unfortunately, this is a game. Although the arrangements of the two are different, the general direction has not changed. Basically, it can be considered that the front and back courts of the two teams are out of touch.

This is a stalemate in which passing and cutting cooperation is practiced between the penalty areas of both sides.

But neither team is doing much to change as time goes by.The Premier League's longest-serving duo opted to leave the change until the second half.

Sure enough, after the opening, Ferguson replaced Obertan with Giggs in order to strengthen the control of the frontcourt, while Arsenal replaced Denilson with Song, which relieved the pressure on Cesc Fabregas on defense.

It seems that the situation has not changed much. The two teams are still in a stalemate, but the scope has narrowed. It can be said that the duel has been inclined to Manchester United. They have been able to suppress Arsenal most of the time, although this suppression is only a part of the region. advantage.

But these don't matter, and soon Manchester United ushered in the best opportunity of the game.

Mike rarely used his physical advantage to push away Cesc Fabregas, and directly distributed it to Giggs after stealing the ball. Giggs on the wing did not rush to press, but waited for Sagna to approach. When the Frenchman thought he could press, Giggs suddenly pushed the ball into the middle.

Sagna, who was defending diagonally, was unable to stop him. When he turned his head to look, he found that Scholes had reached this side at some point.

Scholes, who was holding the ball, also did not choose to attack directly. The football continued to pass to the center. Carrick had already inserted it, but instead of catching the ball, he strode quickly, and the football rolled directly in front of Vermaelen who was defending. , sliding towards Valencia on the right.

Valencia, who came back from the penalty area, knocked the ball back. Mike took advantage of the situation, hit the ball, and directly wiped Song, who was returning to the defense. Then, when Song was about to pull someone, he stuffed the ball into the penalty area.

This time Rooney didn't even have any defenders around him. Facing the attacking Almunia, Rooney smashed the ball calmly, and then pushed for an empty goal.

Manchester United finally took the lead. This can be regarded as a perfect cooperation in the frontcourt, a single-handed opportunity drawn by passing the ball.

Ferguson, who raised his arms and cheered, glanced at the calm Wenger, and then turned back to the coach's bench with some resentment.

"Brother, I've already succeeded, shouldn't it be time for you to make a move too!"

Wenger didn't change anything. It is a very reasonable thing to score goals and concede goals. This time it was Manchester United's luck. When the football moved horizontally, there were no Arsenal players to intervene. If there is a next time, it will definitely change the situation. Yes, such a cooperation can only occur once.

Scholes may continue to meet Giggs on the left, but Carrick can't leak the ball every time, and Mike can't steal the ball every time, and he can steal the ball and let Fabregas Missed the chance to chase.

Arsenal is still advancing steadily. Arshavin has noticed his position problem, and the cooperation between him and Walcott has become more and more in place. The two constantly alternate positions in the Manchester United penalty area. For a while, Fabio was a bit overwhelmed. However, Ferguson did not make substitutions. Although the 30-year-old Evra can persist in the left-back position for a few years, Ferguson seems to like to play the winger strategy, especially when Rafael gradually determines the position on the right. case.

Fortunately, Mike retreated from time to time, allowing Fabio to breathe a little easier.

Manchester United's lead gave the young teammates a significant boost in confidence, and Arsenal did not lose control under Cesc Fabregas' deliberate suppression.

But as the captain, being able to fight alone is not the best result. Fabregas must find a way to help the team score goals and even win.

However, as he held the ball longer and longer, he found that the three of them, Carrick, Mike and Ferdinand, were like a turntable, constantly turning around him without giving any gaps.

If he just wants to fight hard, Fabregas feels that he is more likely to be injured. Whether it is Carrick, Ferdinand or even Mike, he is not comparable to him in terms of physical toughness and health.

It has been a long time since Arsenal changed. Ferguson began to adjust himself. Owen, who had just renewed his contract, replaced Rooney. The 32-year-old Owen has already started signing every year. Maybe he will choose to retire next year.

Then Grafitt replaced Scholes and Valencia retreated.

Manchester United changed back to a 442 style of play.

At this moment, Van Persie, who had been silent for most of the game, suddenly broke out. After receiving Song's backcourt pass, he directly pulled to the side. Carrick had to abandon Fabregas and pull to the side to help defend.

However, Van Persie did not choose to pass the ball in such a situation, but forced Rafael. The Brazilian teenager who had been pressing the opponent to death was not aware of it for a while.

Van Persie, who got the space, has more choices at this time, such as Bendtner, Fabregas, or Walcott and Arshavin in the latter point.

However, Van Persie seemed to be trying hard to rely on himself, while adjusting his body while looking for a space in front of the door.

The distance from the goal becomes smaller and smaller as the short time flows.

Niu Shisan did not attack because Vidic had already made up for it. Under such circumstances, he suddenly took a step back, as if he had decided that Van Persie was going to pass the ball.

At this moment, the Dutchman kicked suddenly, and the shot was not from a close angle. He seemed to believe that Niu Shisan was making a fake move, so he chose to pass the ball and rolled towards Niu Shisan. A cross, aimed at the nearest Bendtner.

"Di..."

Offside, even offside, impossible, how could it be offside.

However, the fact is that Bendtner bypassed Ferdinand and got to the front, but Van Persie had Vidic in front of him.

The ball was indeed offside, and the referee did not bias Manchester United, because his penalty was correct.

No one knows whether this penalty, which can be completely turned a blind eye, is whether the referee is returning the favor of the handball in the first half.

But the ending is that Van Persie was late to pass, he could have done it earlier, or he could have just shot directly, and you say you are not pooping with your pants off, you just want to fart, what a thing.

The thunder rumbled, but not a single drop of rain fell.

Wenger was a little speechless, he didn't know what was going on at the time, he didn't pass when he should pass, and he didn't shoot when he should shoot.

Niu Shisan felt quite wronged. He could have saved the ball by himself, because choosing to retreat was the best way to prepare with both hands, but just as he was about to throw it, the referee blew his whistle. This is not kind, it is offside Didn't the ball always have to wait for the ball to be blown before? !
A well-prepared counterattack opportunity ended without a problem.Niu Shisan's depression can be imagined, this is a denial of the goalkeeper, even though it is just his resentment.

With the passing of time, "WEARETHE CHAMPION" has sounded in Wembley Stadium, and the singing continues to destroy the nerves of Arsenal players. The ball was blocked, but Vidic seemed to have planned which passes, so that the football was either cleared by him or hit by Niu Shisan.

The score of 1-0 was maintained until the end of the game, which made the game look a little bit anticlimactic. After such a high-flying start, only one goal in the end, what the hell.

Manchester United won the FA Cup for the 12th time, and the winning rate of 2/3 in the final is indeed a bit appalling.

This is Niu Shisan's 7th career crown (I miscalculated before, because the Community Shield game was not written), 7 crowns in two years, this is already a height that most football players can't achieve in their lifetime, and he is only now Two years of employment!
For Manchester United, seven years is a very long and short time, very long, because seven years is enough to produce a new generation of fans and a new generation of players.Very short, because it is only 100% compared to the history of more than 5 years.

The Seven Years of War has passed away, and the years have changed.

The once young players are now full of weather, and the once slump Manchester United is now in its prime.

Niu Shisan's football only started seven years ago, and Wayne Rooney's football was only sprouted seven years ago.

The success of Manchester United one after the other has declared that new glory has set sail...

Two years is enough time for this group of young people to conquer England. The next time will definitely not be seven years, maybe they will be able to come back next year.

Sleep at Wembley because Manchester United fans go home to celebrate and Arsenal fans go home to sleep.

The night was as simple as any game night ever.

It was a night to remember as United's young generation finally completed the grand slam of English football's collective honor.

Nights like this actually don't just create life, they create honor.

Not passionate does not mean not exciting, not exciting does not mean not thrilling.

Arsenal is actually not bad, they are just not strong enough, maybe that day they find a steel plate to support, Manchester United will not be so easy, but before that, the young people of Manchester United still have a lot of time to grow...

The seven-year itch, that is the story of the older generation, young people, please look forward...

PS: I was trying to comfort the Arsenal fans yesterday, but today Manchester United got blown up. It's really...

(End of this chapter)