Regarding this opponent, Cao Baming only remembered that they had encountered each other once before.
However, the opponent's lineup had undergone significant adjustments compared to the last time. Players in every position had been changed, and now it seemed that their overall tactics and style were quite different from before.
The coaching staff exuded a confidence that Arsenal, as they were now, did not need to concern themselves too much with their opponents' issues.
Targeted training was typically something only strong teams, truly worthy of being Arsenal's opponents, would consider. As for Southampton, judging by their league standing and their performance throughout the season, they clearly did not measure up to that caliber.
Presently, Arsenal boasted the absolute pressing power of Cao Baming, Messi, and Henry, a formidable trio connecting the defense, midfield, and attack. Coupled with the support of exceptionally talented players in various positions, the entire team was like an impenetrable whole.
Not only were they sharp in attack, but their defense also offered no opportunities to exploit, resembling a moving, thinking wall of three or even more layers.
Facing such a mighty team, their opponents were like mere ants; the threat they posed was comparable to a bite from a tiny ant.
The goalposts that Cao Baming had kicked down were replaced with new ones.
Although Arteta did not inquire further into the origin or details of the incident, he understood it was Cao Baming's doing. He pondered the consequences if that kick had been directed at an opponent.
Encountering Arsenal, and specifically Cao Baming, in the league was likely something every team and every player dreaded the most.
They prayed, they wished to avoid it, yet it was unavoidable, as they had to face each opponent twice every league season. Now, the next unfortunate team was Southampton.
Amidst the enthusiastic cheers of the fans, the entire Arsenal team arrived at Southampton's away stadium.
Although it was the opponent's home ground and the closest for many to buy tickets, just like almost every league match before, Arsenal fans practically dominated the stadium.
While they might not have occupied the majority of the seats, they had certainly claimed at least half of them.
The fans by the sidelines cheered and roared with excitement, as if their loud cries could make the team emerge from the locker room a minute earlier and step onto the pitch for the anticipated match.
The fans' greatest anticipation for this match was to witness the overwhelming dominance of Cao Baming, Henry, and Messi against this opposing team.
They were eager to see how Cao Baming could break through the opponent's mental defenses with a shot under the siege of four or five players, how Messi could repeatedly dribble past a single player three to four times in ten seconds with his skillful and dazzling feints and changes of direction, and how Henry could single-handedly fend off three central defenders and demonstrate a direct shot without even controlling the ball.
The outcome of the match itself was no longer important, as there was hardly any suspense. This was Arsenal at their peak. What was more engaging were the performances and the spectacle of the three players.
The fans nearby were already exhilarated. After a few minutes, the players finally emerged from the tunnel, with Vieira being the first to step onto the field.
Following him, all the Arsenal players came out, with the Southampton players trailing behind.
Not only the fans knew that this match held no suspense, but both Arsenal, the visiting team, and Southampton, the home team, were acutely aware of it.
Admitting they were inferior to the opposing team was nothing to be ashamed of. After all, they were facing Arsenal, a team stronger than almost all others, and they were simply one of the many who couldn't match up. There was no disgrace in that.
With both teams ready, the match officially commenced. The referee blew the whistle to start the game, the commentator's voice surged with excitement, and the spectators erupted in deafening cheers.
Cao Baming's eyes flickered. This time, he hesitated no longer, directly running from his defensive position to the midfield.
Today's opponent lacked the offensive prowess to pose a threat, and his teammates' defense was more than sufficient. Therefore, from the start, he could dedicate at least fifty percent of his energy to offense.
Being in midfield was naturally Cao Baming's favorite position. When playing for the Korean national team, his role was no longer that of a defender but an anchorman midfielder. In that role, his range of movement expanded, allowing him to run from the left flank to the right, and from his own half to the opponent's, appearing anywhere on the pitch.
Arteta was well aware of this significant advantage Cao Baming possessed. In the current era, there was hardly any player who could run all over the pitch from the first minute of the game until the final whistle.
Such running not only demanded exceptional positional awareness and a grand vision of the game but, more importantly, required the individual to possess extraordinary stamina.
Cao Baming's age and physical condition were indeed beyond the imagination of many.
Within Arsenal's tactical system, although Cao Baming was listed as a defender on the roster, he had long since been freed from that role.
This approach was unprecedented in history, but it was indeed because Cao Baming was a unique player, not just in the current era, but throughout history.
Arteta had even publicly stated that on the pitch, Cao Baming could play as he saw fit; he would not make any specific arrangements for him.
Such words were likely only ever heard by Cao Baming from a head coach.
If it were any other player, deviating from the coach's instructions, operating outside the tactical system, or making impromptu decisions on the field would result in severe scolding.
And as expected, Cao Baming's presence in midfield greatly enhanced the attacking threat and pressure, causing every Southampton player to remain highly tense from the outset.
At any given second, if one were to capture such a scene, one would see at least five players surrounding Cao Baming. Although their faces might not be directly facing him, their eyes were constantly fixed on him.
However, the notion of defending Cao Baming with just five players was utterly naive!