SWR: Chapter 686/689

Chapter 686: Wenger, Do You Regret It?
July 19, 2003.

Yaya Toure would always remember that day.

It was a knot in his heart.

In that summer, long before anyone knew what kind of incredible legend would unfold, the 20-year-old Yaya Toure was still playing for Beveren in Belgium, while his older brother, Kolo Toure, had already made a name for himself at Arsenal.

Thanks to this connection, Arsenal's head coach, Arsène Wenger, gave Yaya Toure a chance to join the team's summer training camp.

Yaya Toure arrived in London full of hope, dreaming of staying at Arsenal just like his brother.

Back then, he had no idea what the future held, but he was full of expectation.

To him, Arsenal was everything.

During Arsenal's preseason preparations, Yaya Toure worked exceptionally hard and was soon given a chance to prove himself in a friendly match against lower-league side Barnet.

In that game, Yaya Toure was placed in Arsenal's favored 4-4-2 formation, positioned higher up the pitch, similar to an attacking midfielder. But this role did not suit his strengths.

He had power and excellent footwork, but his movements were slower, and he lacked quick decision-making with the ball under pressure. This made him struggle against a high-intensity pressing defense.

It was similar to what Giroud once said about himself—his shooting efficiency suffered because his tall frame limited his mobility.

As a result, Yaya Toure missed a great chance in the match, and Arsenal were held to a 0-0 draw by Barnet.

After the game, Arsenal officially informed him of their decision.

"Unfortunately, we have tried our best, but under the current circumstances, we are unable to apply for a work permit for you. We hope you will continue to work hard and gain playing time, eventually earning a place in your national team. The door will always be open for outstanding young players like you."

At first, Yaya Toure truly believed the issue was the work permit.

But not long after, word came from his brother Kolo Toure that Wenger did not rate him highly, believed he would struggle to succeed, and was unwilling to push for a special talent exemption on his behalf.

It was the first time the young Ivorian truly experienced the harsh reality of professional football.

Behind the friendly smile was a cold, cruel truth.

So, he chose to go to Ukraine, into the snowy unknown.

For years afterward, he worked tirelessly to climb up the football ladder. After each good performance, he tried to move to a better team. He kept pushing forward, determined that one day, he would stand at the top of professional football, right in front of those who had once looked down on him.

Now, October 24, 2010.

Manchester, Etihad Stadium.

The ninth round of the Premier League.

Yaya Toure was finally standing in front of Wenger.

…

As soon as referee Howard Webb blew the opening whistle, Manchester City immediately launched a fierce assault on Arsenal.

Especially in midfield.

Alexander Song was suspended due to yellow card accumulation. In this match, Arsenal's midfield trio consisted of Fabregas, Denilson, and Rosicky. Meanwhile, Manchester City deployed Yaya Toure and Fernandinho as their double defensive midfielders.

Just two minutes into the game, Fabregas lost possession under pressure from Yaya Toure in midfield. Yaya snatched the ball cleanly and quickly sent it out to the wing, finding Lichtsteiner, before charging forward himself.

Arsenal tried to reorganize and counter-press near the halfway line, but Lichtsteiner pushed the ball upfield, playing it to Robinho, then made a run down the right flank.

Robinho carried the ball forward on the right, drawing the attention of both Clichy and Denilson. Then, he calmly laid the ball back toward the right side.

Lichtsteiner sprinted at full speed, holding off Clichy with his body as he cut into the penalty area from the right. With Arsenal's defenders focused on Van Persie and Sturridge, Lichtsteiner suddenly squared the ball back toward the top of the box.

Right at that moment, Yaya Toure arrived, running onto the pass. Without even taking a touch to control, he struck the ball first-time.

The sound of the shot echoed around the stadium, as if the air itself had exploded.

The ball rocketed into the goal guarded by Fabianski like a cannonball.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

"Just three minutes into the match and Yaya Toure opens the scoring for Manchester City!!"

"Another lightning-fast start from Manchester City!"

"Yaya Toure's interception kicked off this attack, and his thunderous strike from the edge of the box has blasted open the door to victory!"

The Ivorian midfielder roared as he sprinted to the sideline to celebrate, his expression intense and wild.

He looked like a lion from the African plains, roaring in defiance.

Wenger, did you see that?

Do you regret it?

…

Wenger regretted it.

But not because of Yaya Toure.

He had no idea what was going through Yaya Toure's mind at that moment.

In fact, he didn't even know that the Ivorian had carried this anger and frustration in his heart for so many years.

For Wenger, he had simply turned down a young player who, at the time, was not qualified to play for Arsenal.

As for Yaya Toure's later success, that was not something Wenger could have predicted back then.

What Wenger regretted right now was his choice of midfield.

With Song suspended due to yellow cards, Wenger had considered pairing Diaby, Denilson, and Fabregas. But given Rosicky's recent good form, he had opted for the Czech midfielder instead.

Now, it was clear that Arsenal's midfield trio could not match up to Manchester City's double pivot.

Especially Yaya Toure.

Wenger still remembered when Yaya Toure had trialed at Arsenal. Back then, he had played as an attacking midfielder, and his performance had not been convincing. In hindsight, Wenger felt his judgment had been correct.

But later, Yaya Toure moved into a deeper role, even playing as a center-back at Barcelona.

Now, with Fernandinho alongside him in midfield, Gao Shen had unlocked Yaya Toure's full potential, allowing him to roam freely between attack and defense.

Tonight, Yaya Toure seemed unstoppable, playing with extraordinary aggression.

It was almost over the top.

Wenger couldn't help but feel some regret.

But he quickly walked to the touchline, signaling to his midfielders to tighten up defensively and maintain possession.

Manchester City were playing a 4-4-2 formation with double defensive midfielders tonight, which had once again caught Wenger off guard.

Since taking over at Manchester City, Gao Shen rarely stuck to a fixed tactical system. He always adjusted based on the opponent.

Although it looked like a standard 4-4-2 on paper, both Sturridge and Van Persie frequently dropped deep, while Hazard and Robinho on the wings stayed high, keeping the team in a highly aggressive posture.

Among the two defensive midfielders, Yaya Toure had the freedom to roam widely.

This meant Manchester City's formation often shifted between 4-4-2 and 4-1-3-2.

While Wenger was still thinking about adjustments, Manchester City created another chance. Hazard cut inside from the left and played a sharp through ball. Van Persie unleashed a shot from outside the box, but the ball narrowly missed the target.

Wenger let out a breath of relief.

Manchester City's opening attack had been relentless.

Wenger had not expected Gao Shen to completely transform Manchester City in just one year.

While investment certainly played a role, the key was Gao Shen's ability to integrate the squad and deploy his tactics effectively.

Wenger walked to the sideline again, signaling his players to stay calm and focus on defensive organization.

If they could weather this early storm, the game would still be within reach.

Only one goal down, the situation was not yet disastrous.

But just three minutes later, as Arsenal pushed their attack into Manchester City's half, Walcott tried to break down the right flank but was intercepted by Fernandinho. On the left, Leighton Baines pushed forward and delivered the ball to Hazard.

The Belgian winger beat Sagna with a quick move, then dribbled diagonally into the box and played a brilliant through ball.

Sturridge, who had been lurking near Kolo Toure, suddenly made his run.

The English striker, known for his explosive pace, shook off Kolo Toure and broke into the box, meeting Hazard's pass perfectly. In a one-on-one with Fabianski, he calmly slotted the ball into the far corner.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!"

"Seventh minute, Sturridge!!"

"Manchester City have scored twice in less than ten minutes!"

"My God! Hazard's through ball was absolutely brilliant, cutting straight through Arsenal's defensive lines. Sturridge's off-the-ball movement was equally superb, creating this one-on-one opportunity."

"Manchester City's attack has been unstoppable from the opening whistle, and Arsenal's defense has simply been unable to cope."

After scoring, Sturridge ran wildly toward the stands, celebrating passionately.

The fans at the Etihad erupted, chanting the name of their homegrown striker.

Although Sturridge was not yet Manchester City's first-choice center forward, he had already broken into the England national team and was highly regarded by fans.

On the sideline, Wenger shook his head, clearly stunned by the second goal.

It had come too fast.

Just moments earlier, they had been stabilizing their position, yet suddenly their defense was breached again.

"Our back line was positioned a bit too high. Gao Shen took advantage of the transitional phase between attack and defense," assistant coach Pat Rice reminded him.

Gao Shen often said, no one in the world was better at beating Arsenal than him.

Why?

Because he always exploited Arsenal's weakness in defensive transitions.

In fact, more and more teams had begun to adopt this modern playing style.

Any team capable of implementing it would make life extremely difficult for Arsenal.

But Wenger felt helpless.

He couldn't have his team sit back entirely.

That simply wasn't Arsenal's style.

Why was Arsenal's match-day revenue still the highest in the Premier League despite underwhelming results?

Because their games were always entertaining. Even with the highest ticket prices in the world, their matches were still sold out, and tickets were hard to come by.

Maintaining that style came at a cost.

This thought crossed Wenger's mind, but on the pitch, after the restart, Manchester City quickly seized the initiative again with another counterattack.

And once again, it started with Yaya Toure.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 687: Shocking Score
"Another quick turnover in midfield, and Fernandinho plays the ball forward."

"Hazard picks it up in the half-space and threads another through ball."

"Beautiful! That's a surgically precise pass!"

"Sturridge is on the move again from behind."

"But this time, Kolo Toure reacts in time and gets into position. Sturridge shields the ball with his back and lays it off."

"To Yaya Toure."

"Yaya Toure shapes to shoot from outside the box, but Denilson is already in position."

"Fake, drop of the shoulder, pass behind."

"Van Persie arrives late, Djokovic is marking him tightly, and Fabianski comes off his line."

"The Dutchman volleys straight away!"

"The ball is in!!!"

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!"

"In the tenth minute of the first half, Manchester City score again!"

"Three to zero!"

"Manchester City are playing absolutely ferociously tonight. Arsenal's defense has been breached three times in the first ten minutes."

"My God, this could turn into a massacre!"

"Wenger must already be regretting his starting lineup and tactics. He was definitely too bold tonight."

…

As soon as Van Persie's volley hit the net, Gao Shen raised both fists over his head and cheered loudly.

Van Persie's greatest strength has always been his volleying ability, especially from difficult angles.

But beyond that, his world-class ball control was also on full display.

In Gao Shen's previous life, even many neutral fans agreed that watching Van Persie control the ball was a joy in itself.

The sequence leading up to the goal had also highlighted Yaya Toure's best qualities.

The Ivorian is most dangerous at the top of the penalty area, where both his long-range shots and his passing can shine.

The key, though, is creating space for him.

This is why Yaya Toure excels at arriving from deep positions.

Football tactics can be so fascinating. When you integrate each player's unique traits into your system, allowing them to play to their strengths, the team's overall effectiveness can reach remarkable levels.

Three goals up within the opening ten minutes. Now Gao Shen was curious to see how Wenger would respond.

"After tonight, your reputation as Arsenal's nemesis is only going to grow," Carlo commented with a smile.

"I think we still have plenty of chances left in the first half. After a short breather, we should keep pressing," Sarri suggested eagerly. His passion for attacking football was obvious.

Gao Shen nodded in agreement.

He had always said that perhaps no one understood better than him how to defeat Arsenal.

And tonight, he was determined to prove that once again.

At that moment, a thought suddenly flashed through Gao Shen's mind.

If he really did end up buying a football club, maybe Sarri would be the right man to coach it.

Today's Sarri was very different from the version of him in Gao Shen's previous life who climbed the ranks through the lower leagues of Italian football. After following Gao Shen at Napoli and Manchester City for two to three years, Sarri had gained valuable top-level experience. Gao Shen admired his understanding of the game and his personal ability.

He believed Sarri was now fully capable of managing a team in one of Europe's top leagues.

As the saying goes, good things should stay in the family.

A coach you've personally developed and trust is always the best choice.

Besides, Sarri deserved a good environment to put his ideas into practice.

More importantly, Sarri's football philosophy was perfectly aligned with Gao Shen's.

If Gao Shen ever did buy a club, he would never choose to play conservative football. There's no money in that style, especially in the Premier League.

Look at Arsenal. Their results may have declined, but their stadium is still packed, and ticket prices remain the highest in the world. This proves that fans don't come just to watch their team win. Many come to enjoy entertaining football.

Gao Shen remembered what Van Gaal once said: In European football, a match is a show—a performance meant to delight the fans.

And a show must never be dull or ugly.

Sarri would undoubtedly fulfill those expectations.

As for Carlo, Gao Shen felt that while he was steady and reliable, he lacked a certain aggressiveness. That kind of temperament made it difficult to lead a young, ambitious team through the rough early stages of rebuilding.

At the same time, Gao Shen couldn't imagine working without Carlo. His presence was too important.

Looking around at his coaching staff, Gao Shen couldn't help but laugh to himself.

Piece by piece, it seemed like he was already forming the future core management of a club.

Managing Manchester City while owning a lower-league club wouldn't even be a conflict.

They were not in the same competition, so why worry?

FIFA, UEFA, and the English FA had no rules preventing a Premier League coach from owning a team. And even if they did end up facing each other one day, that would simply be a fair contest.

Take Tottenham's owners, Lewis and Levy, for example. They owned multiple clubs, and when those clubs met in Europe, UEFA kept threatening to take action, but nothing happened.

If it really came to the point where his club met Manchester City in the Premier League, Gao Shen would probably be laughing in his sleep. He could just resign from City and go manage Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

No, I can't keep thinking about this. Once I start, I won't be able to stop.

He even began daydreaming about which young talents he might discover next.

In his past life, when he played Football Manager, his favorite activity had been scouting for promising youngsters.

That habit was hard to break.

…

Wenger's face was grim, clearly frustrated by how the match was unfolding.

In the eleventh minute, Arsenal finally managed their first shot of the game—a weak effort from Walcott at the edge of the box that rolled harmlessly wide.

Wenger turned and glanced toward the home dugout. There sat Gao Shen, watching the pitch with a strange smile that sent a shiver down Wenger's spine.

Damn it. You're already three goals up. Aren't you satisfied?

What now?

Are you planning to humiliate us like you did to Manchester United last season?

Keep dreaming, damn it!

You're getting more ruthless every time we face you.

I'm still standing here strong, so why should I fear you?

But at that moment, Manchester City created yet another chance.

Arsenal had pushed higher, trying to press in midfield, even stepping up closer to their defensive line.

David Luiz, under pressure from Chamakh, remained calm. He dribbled back and forth, then suddenly lofted a long ball forward.

The entire left wing was left wide open, with Leighton Baines sprinting into the space. He reached the pass, controlled the ball beautifully, and raced into the left side of the penalty area before whipping in a low cross.

Kolo Toure, tracking back desperately, got a touch and deflected the ball out for a corner, narrowly avoiding an own goal.

Walcott, who had chased Baines all the way back, angrily confronted his teammate Sagna, blaming him for sticking too tightly to Hazard and leaving the flank exposed.

Sagna waved him off impatiently, telling him to mind his own business.

Seeing his two favorite players arguing louder and louder, Wenger quickly walked to the touchline and shouted at them, reminding them to focus on the corner kick.

But his face remained tense.

Damn it!

Manchester City were playing like men possessed tonight.

Every single player looked like they were on something.

And here came the corner.

David Luiz and Kompany were both up in the box, joined by Sturridge and Van Persie. Arsenal's defenders were under heavy pressure.

Everyone knew that Arsenal's weakness was their lack of height.

Wenger shouted instructions from the sideline, urging his players to stay alert and mark tightly.

…

The whistle blew, and the corner was taken quickly.

The penalty area became chaotic.

The ball was clearly aimed at Kompany.

Djourou reacted well and got his head to the ball first, clearing it away.

But the clearance only reached the edge of the box.

Fernandinho had been stationed there, ready to guard against the counterattack and push for a second wave. He charged forward and struck the ball on the volley.

However, his shot struck an Arsenal defender and bounced back into the box.

Yaya Toure reacted first and controlled the ball outside the area.

Fabregas rushed up to confront him, creating a one-on-one situation.

Yaya shielded the ball, leaned into Fabregas, dribbled forward, and then clipped a right-footed chip into the box, sending the ball toward the left side of the goal.

Arsenal's defense froze. Fabianski abandoned his line, charging out desperately.

But one Manchester City player, wearing the sky blue kit, had already reacted faster. He raced past Fabianski, leapt forward, and met Yaya Toure's pass with a header, directing the ball toward the right side of the goal.

Fabianski stretched out instinctively, but the ball sailed past him.

The ball dropped gently into the net.

"GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!"

Instantly, more than 50,000 fans inside the Etihad rose to their feet, screaming in celebration.

"Van Persie!!!!"

"Van Persie again!"

"That's a brace for the Dutchman!"

"You really have to wonder if Wenger regrets selling him this summer."

"But one thing is clear—Gao Shen's signing has been a massive success. Van Persie is currently Manchester City's top scorer this season."

"Four to zero!"

"And it's only the 18th minute. My God, Manchester City clearly have no intention of letting Arsenal leave the Etihad without a brutal beating."

"Gao Shen looks absolutely determined to completely crush Arsenal tonight!"

"We're seeing close-up shots of Wenger on the live broadcast. He's shaking his head helplessly on the sidelines."

"Less than 20 minutes into the match, Arsenal are already trailing by four goals. They are being dismantled right before our eyes!"

"Manchester City are playing perhaps the most explosive opening 20 minutes we've seen in the Premier League this season."

"Given how things are going, it wouldn't be surprising if tonight's game ends with a historic, shocking scoreline!"

Chapter 688: The Most Painful Defeat in History
When the match reached the 82nd minute, Manchester City launched another quick counterattack, once again targeting Arsenal's right flank.

Manchester City's left side had been highly active throughout the game.

The left-wing combination of Leighton Baines and Hazard had placed enormous pressure on Arsenal's right side. During the match, Walcott had even gotten into an argument with his teammate Sagna.

Wenger was forced to substitute Walcott for Diaby in the second half.

But despite the adjustment, Arsenal's defense still showed cracks under Manchester City's constant switches and rapid counterattacks.

Leighton Baines played a diagonal pass into the penalty area from outside the box. Hazard quickly cut in from the left channel and entered the penalty area.

Sagna was marking Hazard tightly the whole way, but Baines' pass was perfectly placed, allowing the Belgian to receive the ball smoothly and suddenly stop on the left side of the box.

Sagna had been too close, sticking to Hazard throughout. The Belgian's sudden stop caught him off guard, and he lunged forward due to inertia.

Center-back Kolo Toure, positioned behind Sagna, immediately rushed forward, trying to block Hazard's next move.

But Hazard touched the ball forward with his right foot, slipping past the charging Kolo Toure. Before Sagna could recover and turn back, Hazard quickly stepped in and struck the ball with his left foot.

At that moment, goalkeeper Fabianski was directly behind Sagna, with his vision largely obstructed. By the time he reacted and attempted a save, it was already too late.

The entire sequence happened in an instant. Despite being surrounded by Arsenal defenders, Hazard used his individual skill to carve out the space and opportunity to score.

Seven to zero!

When referee Howard Webb blew the whistle confirming the goal, the entire stadium erupted in wild cheers.

Hazard spread his arms wide, sprinting across the pitch in celebration.

No one had expected Manchester City to play so smoothly and dominate so thoroughly in this match.

The team had already led 5-0 by halftime. Although Wenger realized the danger and made substitutions in the second half, it was too late. Manchester City were playing with confidence and rhythm, completely overwhelming Arsenal.

…

The game developed so rapidly that fans who weren't watching the live broadcast would have had no idea what was happening.

But this unpredictability is exactly what makes football so exciting.

Just like Hazard's goal a moment ago. Arsenal had set up their defensive shape, with Hazard surrounded from all sides. Yet, through his skillful footwork, sudden stops, and quick changes of pace and direction, he created space on the left edge of the box and scored.

No one could fully explain how it happened, but everyone agreed—it was brilliant.

Even Manchester City chairman Mubarak couldn't help but rise from his seat, clapping enthusiastically like an ordinary fan, cheering for Hazard's goal.

"Seven to zero! Gao Shen is incredible!" Mubarak laughed excitedly.

He seemed at a loss for how to express his joy.

Last season, it was Manchester United. This season, Arsenal. Manchester City had dismantled two of the Premier League's traditional powerhouses in consecutive seasons.

"He really is amazing!" Mubarak exclaimed.

Gary Cook, Brian Marwood, and others also offered their praise.

It was clear how highly Gao Shen was regarded by Manchester City's top brass.

More importantly, his leadership and coaching ability were beyond question.

Some might argue that he had simply spent a lot of money.

But in professional football, spending money alone is never enough.

Abramovich certainly spent a fortune, but did that alone make Chelsea dominant?

Even at their peak under Mourinho, Chelsea were still more known for defensive counterattacks.

Now, Manchester City were truly dominating the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, scoring freely and imposing their game on opponents.

"You know, some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers shine with the light of freedom."

Mubarak couldn't help but quote a line from one of his favorite films, The Shawshank Redemption.

He felt that a talent like Gao Shen deserved respect and the freedom to shine.

"He is truly a top-level coach," Brian Marwood agreed with admiration.

Mubarak smiled and nodded at his advisor.

He still remembered when he first entered the Premier League. Back then, Marwood had explained to him that there were generally two types of top managers in European football.

The first type were those who simply led their teams to victory—Mourinho, Ancelotti, Hitzfeld, Capello, Lippi, Hiddink, and so on. These coaches did not stick to rigid tactical systems. Winning was their only priority.

The second type were coaches with their own distinct tactical philosophies. They might not always win titles, but they relentlessly pursued their ideals, nurturing and developing players to fit their systems. Coaches like Van Gaal, Bielsa, and Guardiola were prime examples.

Of course, there were also managers who didn't clearly belong to one category or the other. They held certain ideals but were also pragmatic enough to prioritize results. Ferguson and Gao Shen fell into this group.

If someone asked whether there was a difference between the Gao Shen who managed Napoli and the Gao Shen managing Manchester City, most would quickly point out that he now had a much bigger transfer budget.

That budget allowed him to build a squad so deep that even their rotation lineup could crush the Premier League's Big Four.

Tonight, Manchester City had rotated nearly half the starting eleven but still completely dismantled Arsenal.

This was not just about money.

It was about squad depth.

"If nothing unexpected happens, the Premier League title this season should be beyond doubt," Marwood said confidently.

With the current strength of Manchester City, even the rotated lineup could perform at this level. As long as the team avoided serious issues, winning the league seemed highly likely.

Gao Shen had also been consistently cautious in squad management.

Mubarak nodded. "The biggest question mark remains the Champions League."

"There shouldn't be any major problems in the group stage. Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Schalke 04 are all tangled up. We've handled it well so far. But the real challenge will come in the knockout rounds," Marwood responded.

The true uncertainty of the Champions League lies in its unpredictability.

Especially in the knockout stages, where tactical adjustments can decide outcomes over two legs.

It is entirely possible to beat an opponent in one round but then be defeated by them in the next.

If a weakness is exposed or a key player underperforms, anything can happen.

Just like what was happening to Arsenal tonight.

…

Despite leading 7-0, Manchester City did not ease up.

The players were hungry.

Van Persie, who had already scored a hat-trick, was substituted by Gao Shen, but Giroud, who came on for him, was full of energy and determination.

Why?

Because he was under enormous pressure.

Suarez was performing in the Champions League, while Van Persie was excelling in the Premier League. Both were scoring freely.

Even local young star Sturridge was fighting hard for opportunities. So how could Giroud, facing an uphill battle for playing time, not give everything?

Once the French striker entered the pitch, he relentlessly pressed Arsenal's defense.

Kolo Toure and Djourou were at their wits' end.

The entire match, they had been battered by Van Persie and Sturridge. Finally, Van Persie was substituted, only for a stronger, fresher, and equally determined Giroud to take his place.

From the first moment, Giroud charged like a man possessed, chasing down every ball and challenging every defender. Who could endure that?

Just four minutes after Hazard's goal, Manchester City launched yet another counterattack.

After intercepting the ball in midfield, they played it to the left flank. Baines and Hazard once again combined down the left, with Hazard dribbling toward the byline.

Sagna marked Hazard closely from behind, and Kolo Toure stepped up to block the path ahead. Hazard chose to cut the ball back sharply.

Giroud, who was trailing the play, entered the box just as Hazard's cutback arrived, completely unmarked.

The French forward calmly controlled the ball, adjusted his stance, and unleashed a clean strike.

This time, he was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Giroud's shooting technique had always been solid, but his swing was a bit slow. Yet with no defender around, he had all the time he needed.

His shot flew into the right side of Arsenal's goal.

Fabianski dived, but still couldn't reach it.

After scoring, Giroud sprinted toward the corner flag, roaring in celebration.

"Eight to zero!"

"My God! Manchester City have completely run riot tonight!"

"This may not be Manchester City's highest score in history. They once beat Huddersfield 10-1 at Maine Road back in 1987."

"But this scoreline equals Arsenal's heaviest defeat ever—a humiliating 8-0 loss to Loughborough back in 1896 in the old English Second Division."

"That record stood for 114 years, and tonight, Manchester City have tied it at the Etihad Stadium!"

"Right now, Arsenal's only goal may be to at least score one themselves, just to avoid this historic humiliation."

"This will undoubtedly go down as the most painful defeat in Wenger's career!"

"Gao Shen's teams have left a lasting impression on the football world. In consecutive seasons, he has delivered record defeats to both Ferguson and Wenger."

"Perhaps it's true, the young are the fiercest. Gao Shen can now face legends like Ferguson and Wenger without any fear."

"Manchester City will also gain huge confidence from such a dominant performance."

"As long as Manchester City can maintain tonight's form, there is every reason to believe that the Premier League title will not slip from their grasp!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 689: World's Best
The ninth round of the league became an unforgettable memory for all Premier League fans.

Although there were Champions League matches in midweek, the top teams had generally secured victories.

Chelsea defeated Wolves 2-0. Manchester United edged past Stoke City 2-1. Liverpool beat Blackburn 2-1.

But Manchester City destroyed Arsenal 8-0 at home!

This result was like a bolt from the blue, shaking not only the Premier League but also the entire European football world.

Everyone already knew that Manchester City was strong. After winning the Premier League title last season, they invested over 100 million euros in the summer transfer window. How could they not be strong?

But no one expected Manchester City to be this strong.

Even though Arsenal's performance this season had declined compared to previous years, the team still boasted well-known stars like Fabregas, Rosicky, Arshavin, and Walcott, with defensive players such as Djourou and Kolo Toure on the back line.

As for Manchester City?

They had just endured a tough away game against Inter Milan in midweek, and Gao Shen had rotated the starting lineup significantly for this match.

Before the game, while most predicted a Manchester City win, no one anticipated such a crushing, lopsided scoreline.

Eight to zero, equaling the worst defeat in Arsenal's long history!

Wenger even admitted bluntly at the post-match press conference that this was the worst game of his managerial career.

The entire football world was stunned.

The Times columnist Sacchi wrote that even if Manchester City fielded an all-rotation lineup this season, they would still have the strength to finish in the top four of the Premier League, or even challenge for the title. This 8-0 thrashing of Arsenal was the strongest proof.

Who could argue with that?

Sacchi further commented that Gao Shen had fully mastered modern football tactics. He could now deploy a variety of systems at will, utilize each player in their optimal position, and make the entire team operate smoothly as a unit.

"He has once again proven that he is one of the best managers on the planet."

Sacchi even remarked that there were probably no more than five head coaches in the world qualified to be considered among the best.

This was high praise for Gao Shen.

Being ranked among the top five coaches in the world meant standing alongside the greatest names in the game.

But Sacchi quickly added, "If we're only talking about current coaching ability, perhaps even the number one spot should be reserved for him alone."

What did that mean?

It suggested that Gao Shen might be the single best head coach in the football world today.

Sacchi had always been known for his high praise of certain coaches, but this was the first time he had spoken so highly of someone.

Coincidentally, the French outlet L'Equipe also reported in detail on the match, asserting that Gao Shen's coaching had reached an even higher level compared to his time at Napoli, describing it as "pure passion."

Germany's Bild echoed the sentiment, noting that although Gao Shen's tenure at Manchester City had been controversial, with many critics labeling it "money-driven football," it was undeniable that he had successfully built a truly competitive team.

This season, Manchester City's depth and rotation policy had become a hallmark, a direct lesson learned from the squad's struggles during the winter break last season. Now, the team had a robust bench and continued competing effectively on multiple fronts.

In the Champions League, they shared a group with Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and Schalke 04, yet had secured three consecutive wins, with qualification nearly in hand. In the Premier League, they had won nine straight games, looking poised to replicate their feat of 19 consecutive wins and a first-half championship from the previous season.

"Gao Shen has proven to the world that even in a money-driven game, he can play it differently from everyone else."

Last season, Manchester City had destroyed Manchester United. This season, they had humiliated Arsenal. Under Gao Shen's leadership, Manchester City was never short of big, statement victories, even against the top clubs.

"When a Premier League team, even with its second-string lineup, has the strength to finish in the top four, why shouldn't they be the biggest favorite to win the title?"

Bild warned that if other Premier League teams did not show greater ambition and match Manchester City's transfer investments, the league could easily become Manchester City's playground in the coming years.

This was precisely the concern of many British media outlets and fans.

They feared Manchester City's growing dominance.

Backed by immense financial power and guided by a manager renowned for discovering and developing talent, Manchester City's investments had consistently produced results. Every player Gao Shen brought in performed at a high level, making the squad stronger with each passing season.

So what could the other teams use to compete with Manchester City?

In a post-match interview, Wenger called on the English FA, the Premier League, and even UEFA to take action to prevent situations like Manchester City's dominance.

"We all know that their business model is unsustainable and unhealthy," Wenger stated.

His message was clear. With wealthy backers, Manchester City's success was, in his view, unfair.

Gao Shen simply laughed off Wenger's accusations.

"I've beaten Arsenal without big spending. I proved that at Napoli," he responded confidently.

Regarding the criticism over Manchester City's spending and financial backing, Gao Shen said these concerns were normal.

"As for debt, I believe Arsenal's debt is no less than ours. Debt is debt. Why should it be viewed differently depending on who holds it?"

Gao Shen also revealed that Manchester City had achieved record revenue last season and expected to break that record again this season.

"We have been working hard to generate revenue. I believe that soon, Manchester City will achieve profitability."

…

In reality, Manchester City was not completely invincible.

At least, they were eliminated from the League Cup.

Part of the reason was that Gao Shen did not prioritize the competition, often sending out young lineups.

But this brought one advantage.

After playing Arsenal midweek, while other teams had to divide their attention with League Cup fixtures, Manchester City could enjoy a well-deserved break.

A week later, the tenth round of the Premier League kicked off, with Manchester City traveling away to face Wolves.

With a Champions League match looming the following Wednesday, Gao Shen once again rotated heavily.

At home, Wolves manager Mick McCarthy clearly learned from Arsenal's defeat and opted for a compact, defensive approach.

It wasn't until the 36th minute that Yaya Toure assisted Van Persie to open the scoring for Manchester City.

In the second half, Yaya Toure scored again in the 50th minute, sealing a 2-0 away victory.

The British media generally concluded that the best strategy against Manchester City was to defend deep and compact.

Going toe-to-toe against them was simply asking for disaster.

In this round, Arsenal bounced back from their humiliation by beating West Ham United 1-0.

Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and other top teams also secured wins, with Manchester United defeating Tottenham Hotspur.

…

Three days later, the fourth round of the Champions League group stage began.

For Manchester City, this was a decisive match. Facing Inter Milan at home, a victory would secure qualification as group winners.

Mourinho's Real Madrid, meanwhile, were set to play away at Schalke 04.

Both fixtures were crucial.

If Real Madrid defeated Schalke 04, they would claim valuable points and secure their own qualification, while leaving Schalke 04 and Inter Milan to battle for third place.

At the Etihad, Gao Shen deployed a 4-3-3 formation, with Gareth Bale, Suarez, and Robben as the attacking trio. David Silva, Rakitic, and Javi Martinez started in midfield.

From the opening whistle, Manchester City aggressively pressed Inter Milan, using their home advantage to apply constant pressure.

Especially on the flanks, where Bale and Robben posed significant threats.

Leonardo's Inter Milan approached the match more cautiously than at the San Siro two weeks earlier, but they still struggled against Manchester City's fluid, relentless attack, especially down the wings.

Bale and Robben continued to probe and break through, repeatedly creating chances.

Manchester City's midfield controlled possession superbly, shifting the ball side to side, stretching Inter's defense. In the 28th minute, Bale delivered a cross from the left to the top of the box. Rakitic passed it across to the right, where Robben took a touch, beat Zidane, and fired a left-footed shot into the net.

After halftime, just eight minutes into the second half, David Silva collected the ball centrally, eluded Zanetti, and slipped a through ball behind Lucio. Suarez controlled the pass, shook off his marker, and calmly slotted home near the penalty spot.

Two to zero.

With a two-goal lead, Inter Milan were forced to press forward.

Already in a dire situation after collecting only one point from their first three group matches, Inter Milan and coach Leonardo faced immense pressure. A loss here would all but end their chances of qualifying.

But pushing forward left gaps at the back.

In the second half, Javi Martinez played a long ball out to the right flank. Robben collected the ball near his own half and charged forward along the right, reaching the edge of Inter's penalty area. Facing Zidane, Robben cut inside sharply and played a diagonal ball to the far post.

Gareth Bale arrived perfectly timed on the left side and struck the ball with his left foot directly into Inter's goal.

Three to zero!

The Etihad erupted with cheers from Manchester City fans.

Gareth Bale celebrated passionately with his teammates on the sideline.

Gao Shen stood calmly on the touchline, his expression full of confidence.

Four consecutive victories, twelve points. Manchester City had virtually secured the top spot in the group.

Theoretically, the only scenario in which they could lose first place would be if Real Madrid defeated Schalke 04, and Manchester City lost their remaining two matches while Real Madrid won both.

But that outcome was extremely unlikely.

Gao Shen had no intention of giving up the top spot in the group, not even to Real Madrid.

He knew better than anyone how important it was for a team like Manchester City to finish first in the group stage.

Both Gao Shen and Manchester City were determined to win.

"By the way, how's the match between Real Madrid and Schalke 04 going?" Gao Shen asked as he walked back to the coaching area, turning to Fernando Lucas.

He still cared about his former club.

(To be continued.)