Chapter 179 The Gunners are Coming

The livestream room:

A festive atmosphere.

-【Will Li Mingdeng's goal count exceed Lampard's of that year after this season?】

-【It's alright, surpassing Yaya Touré of that year is definitely no problem.】

-【He's already surpassed Simeone when he was young... but you can't compare it like that, Simeone used to play in the "Little World Cup," even the Serie A Golden Boot winner back then couldn't score that many goals.】

-【Are the players you mentioned all midfielders?】

-【Yes, Yaya Touré and Simeone played as defensive midfielders.】

-【Invincible Arsenal, dominating the Premier League! I'll support Arsenal every match day from now on!】

-【Calm down, remember Chelsea in the 05-06 season, winning all the way and securing the title early, originally aiming to break the record of conceding only 15 goals in a single season, but they deliberately threw games in the last few rounds to lose.】

-【If we're talking about invincibility, it has to be Chelsea in the 04-05 season, losing only one game in the Premier League, conceding only 9 goals from open play throughout the entire season, breaking the record for points in a title-winning season.】

-【I remember, Terry started sleeping with his teammates' wives that year.】

-【I was worried that Arsenal, who were welcoming spring, would capsize, but they still won by a landslide!】

-【The Professor has avenged himself again and again!】

...

The night breeze gently rustled the goal net.

Van Dijk adjusted his emotions and strode towards Li Kang.

A simple exchange of gestures.

The two old teammates quickly exchanged jerseys.

Flashes of light flickered non-stop, recording the scene.

"We're both improving, it's just that your rate of improvement is too exaggerated..."

Van Dijk shook his head with a smile.

He was under great pressure at both club and national level.

The Oranje had a glorious run in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, but in the past two years, the superstars had retired one after another, and the burden had fallen on the younger generation.

They failed to qualify for the 2016 European Championship.

And the chances of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup... look a bit slim based on the current qualifying results.

...

Welbeck and Morata stood together in front of the advertising boards, accepting interviews from reporters.

The little black egg grabbed the microphone and said seriously, "Li and I seem to have established a spiritual connection, even if I close my eyes during the game, I can still know where he is."

Morata's face darkened.

Is this kid stealing my lines?

Welbeck became more and more excited as he spoke, gradually getting into the zone: "Yes, this is the ultimate understanding, he has given me a new lease of life. Originally, I didn't think I could represent Arsenal in the Premier League and Champions League at all."

"He is like my father... a beacon illuminating my career."

"A great poet once said: Some people will be your life, your poetry, your light!"

Although the little black egg looks uncultured, his academic performance is actually not bad.

The Fletcher Moss academy places great emphasis on the cultural education of young players, and has produced many stars: Lingard, Rashford, Buttley... and so on.

...

Post-match press conference.

Pierre resumed his methodical demeanor.

"Our players performed exceptionally well."

"Van Dijk scored two goals, changing the game twice."

His serious expression, coupled with his humorous words, immediately made the reporters laugh.

No problem with that.

Van Dijk did score two goals, but one of them was into his own net.

The Southampton coach is usually stern, but not long ago he dressed up as Santa Claus and let loose at the training base.

A moment later.

The reporters eagerly asked questions to the Arsenal coach.

"Mr. Arsène, most of the team's main players were rested in this game, are you confident of winning the first leg of the Champions League round of 16?"

Wenger smiled and patiently answered.

"Bayer Leverkusen's overall strength is not weak, they have a lot of excellent new signings."

"Balotelli has scored a lot of goals in the Bundesliga, Coach Topp has helped him return to his peak."

"And J-Rod, and the midfield partnership he has with Çalhanoğlu is very magical, they can produce very imaginative combinations in a slow-paced rhythm."

"And David Luiz in the back line..."

"Leno? I noticed him a few years ago."

"Of course, our Li... he has had plenty of rest recently, and I believe he will return to North Rhine in the best condition."

...

German sports television channel - dsf.

The Champions League knockout stage is about to begin.

The *Four Defenders* program team specially invited Reus from Dortmund, Raffael from Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Balotelli from Bayer Leverkusen.

The interviews with the first two stars went extremely smoothly.

Reus has not only successfully transformed on the pitch, but also his princess-like temperament in life has been "cured." Now he fully exudes the charm of a mature man.

Needless to say, Raffael only becomes beastly when facing Bayern.

Finally.

The camera turned to Balotelli.

The host carefully asked, "Mario, are you confident of winning the first leg of the Champions League knockout stage? Your opponent is the invincible Arsenal."

Balotelli was expressionless and didn't speak, impatiently picking at the sofa leather.

The host tried to resolve the awkwardness, smiling faintly: "Mario, what do you think of Li? Many people compare your two talents. Last season, he led Bayer Leverkusen..."

Balotelli immediately shook his head, interrupting: "Li is a bit stronger than me. Völler said he can tie his own shoelaces."

"..."

The host had a dark line on his face and couldn't refute.

Rose to fame at the age of 17.

Dominated the European Championship.

Terrifying penalty conversion rate.

Powerful physique.

Free kicks with their own merits.

Talent that stunned the world.

Li Kang and Balotelli have too many things in common.

...

The director's call came from the headphones: Continue!

The host quickly adjusted his emotions and asked, "Mario, are you confident of beating Arsenal?"

Balotelli nodded: "Çalhanoğlu said we're going to screw those girls."

He has hated the technical style system since the 2012 European Championship final.

Although Italy at that time was also a technical style system...

Balotelli spent a week in the La Masia youth training camp as a child.

Barcelona tried every means, but ultimately failed to keep him.

After becoming famous, in an interview with *20 minutes*, Balotelli said: "I will not join Barcelona, I don't play football with girls."

...

Li Kang returned home.

Although he had showered in the club's locker room, he was still used to showering again when he got home.

Just as he approached the bathroom.

A system prompt sounded quietly.

【Ding! Congratulations on completing the Premier League match day task.】

【Task receipt: You are getting closer and closer to the next league trophy...】

【Congratulations on receiving: Premier League · Golden Treasure Chest.】

The prize pool was full of all kinds of props.

There were no star modules to be seen.

【Drinkwater's Water Bottle.】

【Wenger's Zipper.】

【Cristiano Ronaldo's Hair Gel.】

【Ferguson's Chewing Gum.】

【Mourinho's Thermos Cup.】

【...】

【The treasure chest is opening...】

【Congratulations on receiving: Balotelli's Fireworks.】

【Effect: No practical effect, but it will make people feel happy.】

Li Kang looked at the fireworks that appeared out of thin air in his hand... and the cheerful little flame that was burning.

Bang!

There was no replication of the fireworks disaster.

Fizz fizz fizz.

Li Kang promptly turned on the faucet of the sink.

He smiled, inexplicably feeling refreshed.