This is considered one of the most common ways to break a packed defense, but it's not easy to execute on the field. Who can maintain that level of rationality!
Mikel Arteta was eager to secure another point to end the half, but ultimately failed.
Whistle!
With a blast of the whistle, the first half ended.
The players on both sides looked somewhat dejected and slowly left the field.
Mikel Arteta sighed helplessly but quickly perked up.
The score is acceptable! At least we're leading!
Cao Baiming also began to get up and walked towards the locker room with everyone else.
During halftime, Mikel Arteta briefly reviewed the match, highlighting points worthy of praise.
However, he also addressed some issues and areas needing improvement.
Finally, he personally found Cao Baiming.
"You're playing in the second half. Go warm up!"
Cao Baiming's eyes lit up.
"Really? Starting right away?"
"Yes, that's right."
Cao Baiming almost couldn't believe they would let him play a full half when they were leading.
This was an opportunity to perform well in front of Henry!
"Okay, no problem!"
...
The second half began. Unexpectedly, after just a few passes, the ball was lost.
Cao Baiming muttered civilized exclamations to himself as he personally went to intercept.
Fortunately, the forward was young and inexperienced. Cao Baiming got in front of him first, hooking the ball away with his foot.
He shielded the ball with his back to the opponent, looked around for a full two seconds before passing!
However, with those two seconds of thinking time, Cao Baiming chose the optimal passing lane.
The slender forward had no way to deal with Cao Baiming.
Their weights were roughly the same, and they were in the same weight class, but Cao Baiming in front of him was like a mountain!
Henry on the sidelines saw this and narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard with one hand.
"He can remain completely still against this level of physical contact..."
In the previous match, Henry had already realized Cao Baiming's physical prowess, but he thought it might have been a fluke.
But this time, he saw clearly: Cao Baiming's physical strength was confirmed!
That made sense!
Vieira received the ball and found himself in a wide-open space beside him, with excellent vision!
After dribbling a few steps to attract the surrounding defenders, he passed the ball. When the ball reached Ødegaard's feet, a highly threatening attack had fully unfolded!
Cao Baiming's pass instantly shifted the entire team from defense to offense!
"Beautiful!" Mikel Arteta on the sidelines couldn't help but exclaim.
Ødegaard, known as "Little Messi," was the most unique among many who were called Messi's successors.
This was because he played in midfield and possessed incredibly delicate footwork!
Facing Pierrot's defensive tackle, he easily nutmegged him with a "Maradona turn."
His subsequent feigned cut-in, actual run down the wing, fake cross, and real back-pass were simply breathtaking!
By this time, Cao Baiming had arrived at the edge of the penalty area!
There were at least two options in the center for a cut-back pass! Martinelli and Cao Baiming were three meters apart, both with good shooting angles!
In an instant, Ødegaard made his decision!
He passed to Cao Baiming!
A low, fast ball swept across the box towards Cao Baiming!
Cao Baiming intended to shoot directly without controlling the ball!
He had already prepared his stance.
But just before making contact, he was thwarted by a desperate, diving block from a defender!
The player gasped, what a shame!
"It's fine, we'll go again!"
Cao Baiming seemed unconcerned, still very confident.
There were plenty of chances like this in a match!
Seeing his attitude, his teammates quickly regained their composure.
In the 57th minute, Nelson's long shot was saved, and Arsenal won a corner on the left.
Cao Baiming knew his heading ability was not great and intentionally made way for his teammates.
But to his surprise, the ball flew directly towards his head.
Seeing this, he had no choice but to reluctantly jump!
Although he didn't reach the ball, he also prevented the opposing defender from touching it.
The ball ultimately flew over the entire penalty area to the right wing, where it was picked up by Martinelli.
Henry shook his head slightly, clearly seeing that this player still had many flaws; his heading and positioning sense weren't very good.
Cao Baiming quickly scanned his surroundings and chose to retreat.
Martinelli feinted twice and passed to Vieira, but this time, there was no luck.
The first shot hit the post, but the goalkeeper couldn't hold onto the ball!
Then, Nelson, with his keen sense for rebounds, had his follow-up shot saved again!
Faced with a series of threats, Burnley's defense was well-organized.
Finally, Nesta cleared the ball out to the halfway line.
The players finally had a moment to catch their breath and slowly walked towards the midfield.
The commentator's voice was already hoarse from the continuous shots and attacks.
"It seems Burnley have put in a lot of effort today!"
"Yes, this packed defense has a bit of an Atlético Madrid feel to it, and most importantly, they seem comfortable, even their counter-attacks are very good."
"Look, it's starting again, a counter-attack opportunity for Burnley!"
"The ball has crossed the halfway line! Arsenal's defense hasn't managed to recover! They've created a 3-on-3 situation!"
"Let's see how Nesta handles it, will he pass to Lanzini?"
"Indeed! He chose to pass..."
Just then, a dark shadow flashed by!
White, diving, blocked the ball, accurately intercepting the passing lane!
"Amazing! An interception from White, that was brilliant, absolutely brilliant! He predicted the ball's trajectory perfectly!"
"The ball is now at Cao Baiming's feet, he should be able to clear it!"
Cao Baiming picked up the ball that White had slid to intercept and looked around. Burnley's entire team was pressing forward frantically, even the goalkeeper had come out of his goal.
At this moment, a line of white light suddenly appeared in front of him.
Then, a number appeared on it, 81, which quickly changed to 64... It flickered between these two numbers.
"What? Can I shoot from here?"
Cao Baiming noted his position: on the edge of his own half, only a few meters from the penalty area, at least sixty to seventy meters from the opponent's goal!
His own goal was actually closer.
"No matter, I'll have a go! There's a seventy to eighty percent chance anyway!"
Cao Baiming unleashed a powerful long kick. The ball flew high, like a missile!
"A clearance from Cao Baiming!" the commentator continued excitedly.
Then they started chatting.
"This crisis should be averted!"
"Speaking of Cao Baiming, he's a new player recently signed by Arsenal, and his name has been in the media lately..."
"Wait!" the other commentator next to him interrupted.