As Cao Baming watched the ongoing match on screen, his expression remained calm. However, in the very next moment, his face changed drastically!
This was all because Cao Baming’s gaze fell upon the match score!
The game was now in the 88th minute, and the score wasn’t what he expected; instead of 4:0 or 5:0, it was a nail-biting 3:2! And what was even more astonishing was that Arsenal was the team with the higher score!
"Is this a complete comeback?!" Even Cao Baming couldn't believe the result unfolding before his eyes.
Football was truly unpredictable; nothing could be guessed in advance. Who would have thought that Arsenal, trailing 0:2 at halftime, would actually claw their way back in the second half!
They had even managed to take the lead. It all happened so suddenly!
By this time, the other players had also received the news. Undoubtedly, everyone was stunned by the current outcome.
The match was still in progress, and the fans watching were all filled with shock and excitement.
For the Arsenal fans, their perseverance until this point had been immense, and the team's current performance was their reward. This wait was not in vain; it was absolutely worth it!
This unexpected turn of events left Cao Baming utterly perplexed. He had to admit that he had underestimated these guys. Their opponents were Villarreal, a team not to be trifled with, a team with considerable strength.
He was even more curious about the turning point that led to such a dramatic comeback in the second half.
Now, only one thing mattered: he wanted to see what had happened!
As he meticulously scanned the pitch, Cao Baming’s gaze quickly locked onto one person: Henry!
As expected, the veteran had chosen to play himself. More importantly, Arteta had actually approved his entry onto the field. Could it be that Henry alone was the catalyst for this second-half resurgence?
On the surface, it seemed plausible. However, no matter how strong Henry was, he couldn't single-handedly revive a team that was almost on the verge of collapse and then turn the scoreline around.
This wasn't just about offensive prowess, scoring three goals. The defense also needed to be remarkably stable. In the second half, they hadn't conceded another goal. The team’s performance had completely transformed from their dejected state in the first half, as if a new team had taken the field.
By examining the match data, Cao Baming discovered that Henry might not have been the sole architect of the team’s turnaround.
The reason was simple: out of the three goals scored by the team in the second half, Henry had only scored one, and it was the crucial goal that gave them the lead.
Could it be that everyone had simply rediscovered their fighting spirit and united as a team?
A united Arsenal, coupled with Henry’s presence on the field, meant that their overall paper strength was actually superior to Newcastle United’s.
Perhaps the fans had ultimately underestimated them, and Cao Baming was no exception.
The spectators on the field were already overcome with emotion. This scene of rebirth from the brink of despair, a comeback from the depths of utter hopelessness, was the most exhilarating spectacle.
Could Arsenal truly rise again? Many fans rekindled their hope at this very moment. In fact, the players’ performance in this match had proven to the outside world that they were far from finished. In the Premier League, Arsenal was still considered a top-tier team.
Would it be too hasty to assume that with the departure of Messi and Cao Baming, Arsenal would be immediately relegated from the ranks of title contenders?
It now seemed that such a thought was utterly naive, as Arsenal still possessed considerable depth and formidable strength, a fact they had now proven.
Newcastle United, despite their high spirits in the second half and the advantage of a two-goal lead, had played more boldly and freely, with every player eager to showcase their best performance.
However, with Odegaard's goal in the 51st minute, everything changed.
Coincidentally, it was at this very moment that Arteta brought Henry onto the field. Because of this goal, all the club members saw hope again, and they rallied together.
It must be said that Odegaard’s goal resulted from a significant error by the Newcastle United defense, perhaps even with a touch of luck, a fortunate opportunist strike. But ultimately, the outcome revitalized the entire team.
With Henry on the field and Arteta adjusting the positioning of two defensive players, a completely new Arsenal emerged around the 50-minute mark. From then on, the team would display their true strength, astonishing everyone with their performance.
Witnessing such a turn of events, Cao Baming was unsure whether he was happy or not. Perhaps the most important thing was that they had managed to reunite and achieve a comeback, a result that was undeniably exciting.
At the same time, Messi, far away at Manchester United, was also following the match and felt happy for his former teammates. However, he didn’t necessarily wish for Arsenal to go too far and wasn't optimistic about their prospects.
Cao Baming was different. If Arsenal could become even stronger, perhaps they could become a worthy opponent in the future. Dominating them on the field would be a new and exciting experience.
After this match, the narrative in the football world completely shifted. The criticism directed at Arsenal suddenly quieted down, replaced by numerous Arsenal fans speaking up for their team online.
Arsenal was still strong, and no one was allowed to denigrate or underestimate them anymore, lest they be the next ones to be proven wrong!
Not long ago, while the public discourse was still raging, Cao Baming received emails from several former teammates. To his surprise, they had not forgotten to share the joy of this victory with him.
It was truly rare, truly rare. These guys were just unfathomable.