Even the formidable Verratti was dispossessed at times!
The fans by the sidelines watched, erupting in cheers once again with this interception.
After receiving the ball, he didn't need to rush, as head coach Arteta kept emphasizing the need to control the rhythm.
A few quick exchanges with his nearby teammates, and two more minutes had vanished unnoticed.
Cao Baiming's eyes flickered, observing the constantly shifting lines before him. While he was scrutinizing the entire pitch, the entire pitch was also scrutinizing him!
Verratti's counter-press, coupled with the pincer movement of the wing midfielders on both sides, left him with little time to think!
Seeing Messi make a run ahead, Cao Baiming sent a direct pass.
Indeed, passing to Messi was always the safest option; even the system knew this.
"A beautiful pass! The ball reaches Messi's feet! A connection between kings of the ball!"
"Watch Messi's touch!"
"Dribbling freely in the attacking third, with Marquinhos beside him!"
Having moved out of the danger zone, Messi suddenly feinted, turned, and passed to the unmarked Odegaard.
"Brilliant! He drew the defense and then distributed the ball! The chance is here again!"
"An opportunity for Arsenal in the front!"
Cao Baiming glanced at the match clock; the regular ninety minutes were nearing their end.
With no injuries or fouls, the referee at the sideline awarded a meager one minute of stoppage time for the first half.
Cao Baiming pondered briefly, then started sprinting forward.
This was the last chance. Mbappé probably wouldn't create an opportunity now, so he'd go up front to help!
Observing the situation on the field, Mbappé's lips curved into a slight smile.
He watched Cao Baiming's retreating back, his body completely unresponsive, continuing to stroll in the attacking third.
Despite his own penalty area being under intense attack, and a cannon having just gone to reinforce it, he showed no intention of defending, continuing his leisurely walk across the pitch.
At this moment, his gaze was fixed intently on the front, on his own team's goal.
Like a leader inspecting his subordinates, he surveyed the situation in front of the goal, from midfield to the defensive line, and finally to the goalkeeper Donnarumma. If anyone made a mistake, they could expect a scolding later!
After all, conceding a goal would be their fault; he, Mbappé, was forever the world's number one.
A confident glint flickered in his eyes, as if they truly emitted light.
He glanced at the time, knowing there was likely no chance for anything more.
For now, at least, they were leading!
In the final moments, after a series of organized plays in front of PSG's goal, Messi unleashed a decisive shot that struck the post!
"Daily woodwork mission accomplished!"
"This time it wasn't the crossbar, but the post!"
"Messi needs to find a way to deal with his luck issues!"
...
While the fans were still lamenting Messi hitting the post, even making jokes, the second ball was snatched by Henry!
Though Cao Baiming arrived a step too late to touch the ball himself, his off-ball movement had successfully drawn the attention of three defenders!
Henry, receiving the ball in space, smiled faintly and then unleashed a decisive shot!
"Still a chance!!"
The commentator yelled excitedly, his eyes fixed on the goal area.
The football soared towards the goal through the air!
Just as it was about to enter the net, a pair of hands suddenly pushed it away with force!
"Donnarumma!!"
"That didn't go in! Ahhhhh, this is too difficult!"
"Henry's shot couldn't get past Donnarumma!"
A flicker of guilt crossed Henry's face!
Donnarumma, with a radiant smile, even looked at Henry, as if mocking him invisibly!
From afar, Mbappé saw this and silently applauded.
Gianluigi had performed well today; he might consider giving him an extra drumstick later!
The ball was directly pushed out for a corner. Technically, it should have been a corner kick, but as Cao Baiming turned his gaze towards the corner flag, the referee blew the final whistle, signaling the end of the match!
The spectators finally snapped back to reality, realizing that the game had already run over by a good thirty seconds.
The score on the board was one to two.
A seemingly unremarkable scoreline, yet it rendered everyone disbelieving of the reality before them.
"Arsenal is trailing…?"
The stadium fell into an eerie silence, so quiet at an Arsenal home game at the final whistle that it felt like the game hadn't even started!
The fans were bewildered. Right up until the last second before the whistle, they had firmly believed they could equalize! Even win!
This whistle had abruptly pulled so many from their dreams back to reality!
As home fans, Arsenal supporters witnessed their team trailing at halftime!
"When was the last time we went into halftime trailing? I can't remember!"
"It seems… it was when Cao Baiming made his debut for Arsenal!"
"???????"
How long had it been…
Had they truly lost?
Arteta looked bewildered.
The players dejectedly walked off the field, now it was the opponent's turn to be happy, perhaps even eager to taunt them.
Neymar was clearly the happiest, having had the space to show off in the first half and playing very comfortably.
Although Cao Baiming showed no exaggerated expression, his heart was completely different from those around him; he felt no worry whatsoever.
Perhaps this was exactly how the head coach and the fans were feeling!
Everyone worried that Arsenal had finally met their match, an unconquerable formidable opponent, and would be stopped in the Champions League?
How could that be possible!
Had Arsenal met their match? Even if they had, it wouldn't be this PSG!
A flame of confidence still burned within Cao Baiming.
The first half was merely tactical, something others didn't need to know.
Besides, Neymar had only scored one goal; this was far from the target. The second half would continue, so the time for the team to score would be left until later!
As the players left the field, the fans by the sidelines also resumed their clamor.
Interspersed within this noise were discussions about the match, many having transitioned from their dreams to reality.
Beyond the match itself, there was more to discuss: these two teams, their strengths, and whether PSG was truly superior, as the current score suggested.
And the stars on the field were more numerous than in any previous match!
Their combined market value was enough to buy five Manchester Citys or ten Manchester Uniteds.
With the Ballon d'Or awards approaching, at least seven players on the field were on the shortlist, with even the top five contenders present!
The commentator concluded the discussion of the first half with a single sentence.
"It's inevitable for Arsenal to encounter setbacks against new opponents in the Champions League! PSG's strength is indeed not to be underestimated! Let's look forward to the second half!"