Arsenal's team bus slowly rolled into Manchester.
This wasn't Arsenal's first visit to Manchester this season.
Tonight!
The sky over Manchester wasn't waving with Manchester United's fiery red tide.
Instead, it was the sky blue flags of Manchester City!
Although it was only in recent seasons, under wealthy backers' investment, that Manchester City had risen to prominence with big-money football,
the number of City fans was by no means fewer than United's.
Manchester City supporters roared and ran through the streets of Manchester,
surrounding the Arsenal bus tightly, leaving no gaps.
But what surprised the Arsenal players inside the bus was this:
Compared to their recent visit to Manchester to face United,
the City fans tonight seemed different!
They gathered closely around the Arsenal bus,
waving Manchester City flags,
but their eyes revealed an urgent expression!
Soon, the Arsenal players near the windows heard a voice that made them laugh and cringe at the same time:
"Kai, join Manchester City!"
"We'll give you all our love and unprecedented treatment! In Manchester, you will become the new king!"
"Join City, lead us, and overthrow United's rule!"
The passionate chants echoed repeatedly on the street corners of Manchester.
Inside the bus, the Arsenal players exchanged puzzled looks.
What was going on?
They had come to Manchester City's home ground,
expecting to face the terrifyingly loud atmosphere of City fans,
but the City supporters here were strangely turning against their own club?
As the winter transfer window approached,
and with the window about to open again,
the City fans who had already been conquered by Kai last season
were eagerly hoping that this super star would land at the Etihad in the second half of the season,
becoming the new king of Manchester City!
But hearing the roaring voices around him,
Kai remained unmoved.
Tonight, he had only one goal—
to lead his team to overturn Manchester City at the Etihad!
To continue the winning streak!
Kai stood up,
walked to the center of the bus,
and looked around at the Arsenal players, whose eyes burned with passion.
"Tonight, we will crush Manchester City at the Etihad!
With a perfect winning record, we will claim the half-season championship in style!"
His voice echoed throughout the bus!
The Arsenal players responded passionately,
cheering for their captain!
Half an hour later,
at the player tunnel of the Etihad,
bright lights and roaring chants gathered at the entrance!
Manchester City's line of players appeared.
Many of the City players fixed their gaze on Arsenal's front line—Kai.
After a moment, Sergio Aguero looked away,
silently pumping himself up.
Yaya Touré, David Silva, James Milner, and Kolarov—
several of City's veterans took a deep breath.
At the front of the City players stood Vincent Kompany,
clutching the Blue Moon flag tightly.
Facing Arsenal's terrifying undefeated run this season,
even though City were second in the Premier League now,
they could not maintain their usual composure!
And the most feared player in Arsenal's squad, naturally,
was that black-haired figure wearing the captain's armband—Kai!
Even back in the Crystal Palace days...
Kai had once led his team to defeat Manchester City at the Etihad!
That match remained vivid in the memories of the City players to this day.
Tonight's game carried great significance for both sides!
Under the night sky of Manchester,
amid the roaring atmosphere of the Etihad,
players lined up in their respective halves.
Mancini stood on the sidelines, his gaze heavy as he watched the pitch.
"Manchester City are starting with a 4-4-2 formation tonight!"
"Aguero and Tevez partner up front, with Balotelli and Dzeko on the bench. Aguero's performance this season truly justifies his €45 million price tag!"
"In midfield, Yaya Touré and David Silva lead, with Kompany anchoring the defense and Joe Hart guarding the goal!"
"Arsenal, on the other hand, stick with their most-used 4-2-3-1 formation this season!"
"City's star striker Aguero currently ranks third on the Premier League scoring charts, but the two players ahead of him tonight in Arsenal's lineup—numbers 10 and 9—are Kai and Van Persie!"
"The strongest firepower of the Premier League this season is gathered on the same pitch!"
"Let's hope for an exciting attacking showdown!"
In the broadcast studio in China, Zhan Jun's voice rose and fell dramatically.
The Chinese fans gathered around the live stream were extremely excited.
"Only Kai's attacking firepower can be described as terrifying!"
"The number of goals he's scored this season nearly equals the combined goals of Van Persie and Aguero!"
"Kai has already delivered 48 assists in 18 league games. Tonight, in this half-season finale, we might see him reach 50 assists!"
The Chinese live stream erupted!
Fifty assists in half a season—what an astonishing concept!
On the pitch,
with the referee's whistle,
the match began!
Manchester City kicked off first.
Aguero passed to Tevez,
who turned back with a backheel.
The ball was then controlled by David Silva.
Yaya Touré and David Silva played as City's central midfielders tonight.
Both quickly pressed forward into Arsenal's half.
Arsenal's formation and positioning were impressively efficient and swift!
In the opening phase,
Arsenal showed aggressive momentum on both offense and defense.
Kai transformed into a sweeping midfielder,
using his exceptional vision advantage
to tightly mark and intercept City's midfield link-up!
The City fans in the stadium looked worried.
This Arsenal team was indeed very different from last season!
Both offensively and defensively, suffocating.
Simply in a league of their own in the Premier League!
At the 7th minute,
amid a burst of gasps,
Manchester City lost the ball!
Yaya Touré's sideways pass seemed uncertain.
Sabaleta and David Silva both hesitated to take the ball,
resulting in the ball being sharply intercepted by Kai!
The stands erupted with cries of astonishment!
Mancini angrily waved his hand,
shouting for his players to fall back and defend.
At the moment Kai gained control of the ball,
a golden pathway shone brilliantly in his vision!
Without hesitation,
amid the shocked gaze of nearly 60,000 fans at the Etihad,
a super long-distance pass near the halfway line soared above the Etihad!
In an instant!
The crowd's screams rang out fiercely from the stands!
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