SWR: Chapter 585/587

Chapter 585: Judgment Day

Judgment Day!

The day before the Premier League resumed, The Times ran a front-page column by renowned journalist Guillem Balague, with a title that immediately grabbed readers' attention.

Guillem Balague, a Catalan from Spain, has been in the football industry for over 20 years. He started as a reporter and later became a columnist for several prestigious European publications, including Spain's AS and Britain's The Times, both highly authoritative sports media outlets in their respective countries.

This made Balague one of the most sought-after columnists in European football media, and he was among the best at The Times. He gained widespread recognition after his in-depth analysis of Liverpool's Champions League triumphs in the 2004 and 2005 seasons, which he compiled into The Season on the Brink of Despair. The book became an instant hit and had a significant impact within the football world.

In his previous life, Gao Shen had read many autobiographies of coaches and players, and Balague was one of the few writers who had left a lasting impression on him. In 2012, Balague published Guardiola: Another Way to Victory, an autobiography that meticulously analyzed Pep Guardiola's past and present coaching career at Barcelona. The book caused a sensation within the industry.

In 2013, he gained exclusive access to Messi's inner circle, interviewing his coaches, friends, and family, as well as every president and head coach of Barcelona, the Argentina national team, and even traveled to Messi's hometown in Argentina to uncover his early life stories. The result was Messi: The Biography.

With two consecutive bestsellers, Balague became a major figure in football journalism.

But his influence extended beyond Spain, he had deep connections throughout British and European football. Cristiano Ronaldo and his agent, Jorge Mendes, had long been acquainted with him, and in 2015, they officially authorized him to write Ronaldo's autobiography, Cristiano Ronaldo: The Biography. This book went on to win the Polish Sports Book Award in 2016.

Although Balague wasn't as globally renowned at that time as he would later become, he was already the chief columnist at The Times and a well-known figure in English football journalism. His columns had a devoted readership.

…

"The Premier League is a world of empiricism."

Balague opened his column with this statement, setting the tone for his discussion on the prevailing mindset within English football.

Empiricism wasn't just an issue in the Premier League—it was a widespread phenomenon across European football.

This so-called empiricism was riddled with various "superstitions", beliefs in scouting intuition, traditional approaches to injury management, and many other deeply ingrained customs.

One of the most prevalent beliefs was that the more experienced a head coach was, the better they would be for a team.

Take Ferguson, Wenger, and Moyes as examples.

This preference for experience was present in all major European leagues. Many clubs were biased toward hiring former professional players as managers over those who had undergone formal coaching education, believing that playing experience equated to a deeper understanding of the sport.

Balague spent considerable space explaining this reliance on empiricism in the Premier League before highlighting how Gao Shen was a complete anomaly in this environment.

At just 29 years old, with only three and a half years in the industry, he had already won two Champions League titles and numerous league and cup trophies.

From any perspective, Gao Shen did not fit the mold of what Premier League traditionalists deemed a "proper" coach.

Yet, he was currently the most successful manager in European football.

Balague pointed out that opinions on Gao Shen within the Premier League were deeply divided. Some saw him as the embodiment of football's future, a revolutionary figure shaping the sport's evolution. Others despised him, dismissing him as an opportunist who had simply mastered certain techniques and capitalized on the right opportunities to achieve success.

"I believe that no matter how much time passes, this debate will never be settled."

Balague wrote that this was an argument with no definitive resolution—no side would ever fully convince the other.

Even if Gao Shen won every possible trophy, those who disliked him would only become more entrenched in their views.

So why did Balague call this the Premier League's "Judgment Day"?

Because Manchester City was about to face Arsenal and Manchester United.

In the eyes of empiricists, Ferguson and Wenger were revered figures. These two world-class managers represented the very essence of the Premier League's coaching philosophy.

Both had enjoyed immense success, managing their clubs for decades and serving not just as head coaches but as true "football managers" who shaped their clubs' identities. They were living proof of the British footballing tradition.

Ferguson had often said that the true test of a team's Premier League title credentials came after the grueling Christmas and winter fixture schedule.

Why?

Because this period was uniquely challenging—an integral part of British football culture.

And it wasn't just football; similar traditions existed in other sports like rugby and basketball in the UK.

During Christmas, while much of the world took a holiday break, British sports competitions became even more intense.

"As they put it, when fans have time off, they can go to the stadiums and enjoy an exciting football match. That's the essence of the sport!"

For managers inexperienced in English football, coping with the brutal Christmas and winter schedule was often a nightmare.

"It's not just a physical test for the players, it's a psychological one as well!"

Ferguson's words themselves embody empiricism, yet they are undeniably rooted in fact.

Now, in the upcoming fifth and sixth rounds of the league, the most anti-"empiricism" manager in the Premier League is about to lead his squad, mocked and despised by many as they take on the most respected embodiment of that very empiricism.

This will be the first direct clash between the two sides!

Beyond the cultural implications, this matchup also carries significant weight in the league itself.

"I've spoken with many senior figures in English football, both in the media and within clubs. They all say the Premier League has grown stagnant. For years, people have been tired of discussing the so-called 'Big Four.'

"Look at Arsenal, do they even have ambition anymore? Wenger has practically told the world that Arsenal is content with mediocrity, aiming only to secure a Champions League spot and profit from finishing in the top four. And what can anyone do about it?"

"I've heard it countless times, people say the Premier League will only get interesting when we stop talking about the Big Four."

Guillem Balague argued that Chelsea once injected excitement into the league, making it more competitive, but even before their acquisition, they were already among England's stronger clubs.

Liverpool, despite its ups and downs, had remained consistently competitive.

Aside from David Moyes' Everton briefly breaking into the top four—only to be swiftly suppressed—no other Premier League club had truly disrupted the Big Four's dominance in recent years.

In fact, since the league's inception in 1992, only one club outside the Big Four had won the title, Blackburn Rovers, under Kenny Dalglish, in the 1994-95 season. Every other championship had been monopolized by the elite clubs, particularly Ferguson's Manchester United.

Since the Premier League's formation, Manchester United had claimed 11 of the 17 league titles, Arsenal had won three, and Chelsea had secured two.

Even Liverpool, the dominant force of the 1980s, had yet to lift a Premier League trophy.

Balague pointed out that since the turn of the century, only three teams outside the Big Four had qualified for the Champions League: Leeds United, which finished third in 2000; Newcastle United, which participated in the competition in the following two seasons; and Everton in 2005.

However, in 2000, the Premier League only had three Champions League spots. In 2005, Liverpool's Champions League triumph meant England was granted five spots. As for Newcastle, their decline had already set in.

In other words, over the past decade, the Big Four had effectively monopolized Champions League qualification, leaving the rest of the league without a real chance to break through.

Meanwhile, the Big Four reaped the financial rewards of consistent Champions League participation, further strengthening their financial muscle. This allowed them to poach talent from other Premier League clubs, making it nearly impossible for those teams to retain their best players.

"The Premier League has suffered under the dominance of the Big Four for far too long!"

Balague argued that Manchester City's rise presented a golden opportunity to finally shatter the stranglehold of the traditional elite.

This, he believed, was why Ferguson and Wenger had reacted so strongly at the start of the season.

And the early results proved their concerns were justified, after just four rounds, Arsenal and Manchester United had already been pushed out of the top four. The pressure was mounting.

"In the past month, I've met many people who believe that Gao Shen's arrival and Manchester City's emergence mark the beginning of a new era in the Premier League—an era defined by fierce competition."

"Arsenal can no longer count on easy Champions League qualification, and Manchester United can no longer treat the Premier League as their personal playground."

"The upcoming fifth and sixth rounds will be a full-scale showdown between the old guard and the new challengers—a true Judgment Day for the Premier League. It will test whether Manchester City has the strength to overturn the established hierarchy. It will also challenge Arsenal and Manchester United to prove whether they still deserve their place among the elite."

Balague went even further, declaring that this would be the most disruptive and highly anticipated clash since the Premier League's inception.

At the end of his column, the Spaniard took a firm stance—he was fully behind Gao Shen.

From both a footballing perspective and for the overall health of the Premier League, he believed the dominance of the Big Four needed to be broken. More teams should have the opportunity to compete for the title, making the league more exciting and unpredictable.

"There is no doubt that the next two rounds will be crucial for Gao Shen and Manchester City to prove themselves. They must deliver their best performances and, ideally, defeat these traditional giants."

Balague expressed his strong belief in Gao Shen and Manchester City.

"Ever since he took charge of Real Madrid, I knew he was no ordinary manager. He always brings surprises and shatters expectations."

"He did it at Real Madrid, he did it in Serie A, and now, in the Premier League, I have no doubt he will do the same."

"In just one week, the Premier League's power structure will undergo a seismic shift!"

"Just wait and see!"

(To be continued.)

Chapter 586: Wenger Is Scared

Guillem Balague's column was well-structured, thorough, and backed by solid reasoning. It resonated with most Premier League fans, though, unsurprisingly, it faced backlash and criticism from supporters of the Big Four.

But the sheer level of discussion and controversy it ignited was proof of its significance.

Gao Shen read the article and then retweeted it on Twitter, tagging Guillem Balague and expressing his appreciation for the piece, promising that he would do his best.

At the same time, Gao Shen made a mental note, if he ever had the chance to publish an autobiography in the future, he wanted Balague to write it. The man's writing and storytelling abilities were truly professional and compelling.

As someone in the industry, Gao Shen didn't see himself in the same grand light that Balague did. He approached things from a more practical standpoint, as Manchester City's head coach, his main concern was leading the team to the top. And to do that, they had to break through the Big Four's dominance. That was inevitable.

As for making the Premier League more exciting? That wasn't something he needed to worry about.

Previously, Brian Kidd had mentioned to Gao Shen that during a Premier League meeting, he had a private conversation with the league's higher-ups. They had made it clear that they wouldn't interfere with Manchester City's finances. As long as the club avoided financial turmoil, the league would be more than happy to see them rise.

As Premier League executives, they clearly saw the potential benefits—Manchester City's emergence could bring a fresh dynamic and renewed excitement to the competition.

More importantly, City's style of football was more continental, more entertaining.

Arsenal had once been the standard-bearer for beautiful football in England, but in recent years, they had stagnated.

In a way, this was an indirect endorsement for Manchester City's rise.

If Gao Shen suddenly decided to bring Messi to the Premier League, the league's executives would probably be grinning from ear to ear.

Balague's choice of Judgment Day as the title was fitting—it perfectly encapsulated the situation that both Gao Shen and Manchester City were facing.

Even though they were the league leaders, if City lost these two upcoming matches, they would no longer be seen as a genuine contender.

…

As the crucial fixtures approached, the international break was coming to an end, and players were returning to the squad one after another.

As usual, the South American players had to endure long-haul flights, and many of them had played full matches in both international fixtures.

"The good news is that none of our players suffered injuries during the international break. Everyone is back in good shape," Lucas said with a smile.

It was the day before the match, and Gao Shen was leading an internal coaching meeting at Carrington.

"But the bad news is that our opponents, Arsenal, are also injury-free, just like us."

The room burst into laughter.

Manchester City were about to face Arsenal at home, the first time Gao Shen would go head-to-head with one of the Big Four this season.

As Guillem Balague had put it, this would be a test of whether Manchester City's finely tuned squad was sharper than Wenger's refined Arsenal.

"In the first four rounds, Arsenal have been the second-best attacking side in the Premier League, scoring 15 goals. However, among the top ten teams, they also have the weakest defense, conceding five goals."

Chelsea and Manchester United had each conceded two, City only one, Liverpool three, and Tottenham four.

While these numbers didn't tell the whole story, Arsenal's defensive frailties had been a persistent issue.

Lucas deliberately paused, letting the information sink in.

At first, everyone looked at him curiously, but then they noticed Lucas winking at Gao Shen. Their attention shifted toward the head coach, who was resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought.

The room fell silent. Then, Gao Shen snapped out of his thoughts, slightly startled.

"What's up?" He noticed everyone staring at him.

"Gao, didn't you already show the world how to beat Arsenal last season?" Lucas grinned.

The room erupted in laughter. That match had been a classic.

Gao Shen had made some bold statements before the game, which had infuriated Wenger and Arsenal's fanbase.

But when the match actually took place, Napoli had completely dismantled Arsenal, leaving them helpless and without a response.

"Why not put on another masterclass?" Lucas suggested.

Gao Shen chuckled. "The media will probably bring this up in the pre-match press conference this afternoon. I should think about how I'm going to respond."

The staff clapped their hands in amusement. Was that really something to worry about?

"We're having a serious discussion here," Lucas said, pretending to scold him.

Gao Shen laughed. "If I said that Wenger is scared of me, would you believe it?"

Everyone exchanged glances.

Their initial reaction was disbelief.

Wenger? Afraid?

But after thinking about it more carefully, it actually made sense.

From Real Madrid to Napoli, Wenger had never gotten the better of Gao Shen. In fact, he had suffered humiliating defeats on multiple occasions. Twice, Arsenal had been knocked out of the Champions League in devastating fashion, forever stuck in the infamous Round of 16.

And now, Manchester City's squad was at least on par with Arsenal's, if not slightly stronger.

Of course, Arsenal still had a talented squad.

Adebayor, Van Persie, Fabregas, Rosicky, Alex Song, Vermaelen, Gallas, Sagna…

They weren't lacking in quality players.

But crucially, Arsenal would be playing away from home, and City were in red-hot form.

"What do you think?" Carlo Ancelotti, who had worked alongside Gao Shen for three years, knew him too well.

Everyone smiled and leaned in, eager to hear his response.

"As I told you back in Naples, Wenger's teams have a fundamental flaw, they struggle to transition from attack to defense. They can't get into position quickly enough. Do you think Wenger doesn't know this?"

"Of course he knows," Sarri blurted out. "How could he not?"

As a head coach, Wenger undoubtedly understands his team inside and out.

He may not have fully realized their flaws before, but after suffering repeated defeats, he would have reviewed those games and identified the problem.

"So, what tactics do you think he'll use in this away game?" Gao Shen asked.

The room fell silent as everyone pondered the question. Some looked skeptical, while others seemed to be grasping the implications.

A conservative approach?

Was that even possible?

Wenger had always been a staunch advocate of attacking football. Even Ferguson couldn't make him play conservatively.

But when they thought about it again, it didn't seem so far-fetched.

Gao Shen didn't press the conversation forward immediately. He let them work through the idea themselves before continuing.

"Let's put it into context. The international break has affected us, but Arsenal has also been affected. We have a lot of South American internationals, while they have fewer, but they have African internationals. In a way, both teams are in the same situation."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

At this level of football, every international player was a key part of their national team.

"We're feeling the effects, and so are they. We have home advantage, but they're playing away. Given these circumstances, do you think Wenger is confident enough to go toe-to-toe with us at our stadium?"

That was the crucial question.

In an ideal world, Wenger would stick to his attacking philosophy. But practically speaking, he had every reason to be cautious.

Especially after last season's humiliating defeat to Napoli. Wenger had been thoroughly outclassed by Gao Shen, embarrassed in front of the entire football world. There was no way he wouldn't want revenge.

"So, what you're saying is…" Carlo Ancelotti trailed off, already grasping the idea.

"Our situations are similar, but there's one key difference, we have a deeper squad than Arsenal," Gao Shen explained. "So, rather than going head-to-head with them while they're still physically fresh, we should wait. Engaging in a direct battle at that stage wouldn't serve any purpose, would it?"

This was akin to Sun Bin's strategy, the best horses against the middle-tier horses, the middle-tier horses against the weakest, and the weakest against the best.

Of course, footballers weren't ranked in strict tiers, and the gap between starters and substitutes wasn't always drastic.

Often, a well-rested substitute could perform at the same level as a fatigued starter.

What Gao Shen meant was that they should hold back their real trump cards, using the early stages of the game to exhaust Arsenal. Then, once Arsenal was struggling, they would unleash their best weapons.

"I'd wager Wenger is thinking the same way," Gao Shen added with a smirk.

If Manchester City started with their strongest lineup and Arsenal opted to sit deep and defend, City might not be able to break them down easily. After all, Arsenal was still capable of putting up a solid defensive effort when needed.

So Wenger would likely hold something back as well, waiting for City to wear themselves out before making his move.

"So, what should we do?" Carlo asked, intrigued.

Everyone turned to Gao Shen, waiting for his answer.

"There are weaknesses in Arsenal's squad that can't be fixed. Their center-backs lack height, their full-backs are more attack-minded than defensively solid, and their goalkeeper is a weak link."

Vermaelen, Kolo Touré, and Gallas were all on the shorter side for central defenders, meaning they struggled against physically dominant strikers.

And for that, they had Drogba to thank.

His repeated tormenting of Arsenal's defenders had left lasting scars. Ever since, Arsenal's backline had a psychological fragility when facing powerful center-forwards.

Their full-backs were great going forward but vulnerable at the back. Manchester City's attack thrived on exploiting the flanks. Give Robben, Robinho, or Hazard enough one-on-one opportunities, and they could completely dismantle Arsenal's defensive shape.

The key was to create the right conditions for them to thrive.

And the best way to do that was to wait until Arsenal was physically drained.

Otherwise, if Arsenal defended deep from the start, Robben, Robinho, and Hazard would get bogged down in a war of attrition, which wasn't ideal—especially with Manchester United looming in the next fixture.

Most of the coaching staff agreed with Gao Shen's plan.

It was a safe strategy.

Several of City's key players—Suárez, Filipe Luís, Robinho, David Luiz, and Zabaleta—had returned from South America after grueling international duties. Their condition was uncertain.

Going with a high-intensity approach from the start carried too much risk.

But no one expected what Gao Shen would say next.

"I'm planning to put Robben on the bench."

The room went dead silent.

Shocked expressions spread across the table.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 587: Various Ways to Humiliate the Gunners

In Gao Shen's past-life memories, his father had always been an honest man.

He lacked career ambition, struggled with socializing, and never found a way to make money, which meant his professional life never progressed. He was well-liked by his neighbors, but that was mainly because he tolerated a lot. He would often return home frustrated, vent his anger in private, and then go back outside, acting as if nothing had happened.

Gao Shen's mother often quarreled with him over these things, though they were just minor arguments.

It wasn't until Gao Shen was about to leave home that he and his father sat in the yard one evening and had a long conversation. Among the many things they discussed, there was one sentence his father said that stuck with him even now:

"If we lose money, we can earn it back. If we lose a job, we can find another one. But if there's a hole in our heart, there's no way to mend it."

That sentence had a profound impact on Gao Shen. Whether in school, work, or his coaching career after traveling through time, he had always lived by that principle. No matter what he did, he made sure to act with a clear conscience.

From Real Madrid to Napoli and now to Manchester City, he had always maintained a few specific habits in his approach. One of them was personally speaking with players who were left out of the squad, explaining the reasons behind his decision.

Even for those included in the squad, Gao Shen would take the time to clarify why they were starting or on the bench.

Over the years, he had stuck to this practice, always handling things in a straightforward and transparent manner.

Because of this, even when players were dissatisfied with their playing time, no one in the locker room or club management ever accused him of favoritism or hidden agendas.

On the contrary, most people praised his honesty and directness.

Over time, Gao Shen realized the biggest advantage of this approach, it eliminated unnecessary misunderstandings and prevented countless headaches.

…

Robben on the bench!

Gao Shen's decision caught the coaching staff off guard.

On one hand, Robben was eager to play. The Dutchman looked to be in top condition, and benching him carried risks. What if City started strong and went up by two or three goals in the first half? How would Robben feel coming on in the second half with the game already decided?

On the other hand, what if the first half didn't go well? If Arsenal took the lead, maybe even by two or three goals how much pressure would Robben be under when he entered the game?

And from a purely tactical standpoint, it was unconventional to bench one of the team's best players.

Your best weapon should always be on the field, not hidden away.

But Gao Shen stood by his decision.

His reasoning was simple, he believed Wenger would play more conservatively, possibly even using three defensive midfielders.

"I can't use my best weapon to bash against their iron wall."

Robben was like a razor-sharp dagger. To maximize his impact, it was better to wait until Arsenal's defense showed cracks rather than bluntly trying to cut through it from the start.

Not only that, but Gao Shen also instructed Lucas to inform the media team of his plan to provoke Arsenal at the pre-match press conference that afternoon. If he could bait Wenger into playing more aggressively, that would be the best possible outcome.

The coaching staff didn't fully agree with Gao Shen's approach, but they trusted him and gave their full support.

After the meeting, Gao Shen returned to his office and asked someone to call Robben in.

He sat on the couch, thinking about how to break the news.

Robben was eager to play—desperate to prove himself. His competitive spirit was undeniable, and Gao Shen wasn't entirely sure how he would react.

If Robben's desire to start was strong enough, Gao Shen was willing to reconsider his decision.

After all, it was the players who ultimately had to execute on the pitch.

…

"Boss, you wanted to see me?"

Robben knocked on the office door, walking in with a smile.

Seeing that expression, Gao Shen suddenly hesitated.

He couldn't remember the last time he had seen Robben smile like that.

For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

But his intuition and analysis told him, against Arsenal, bringing Robben off the bench would be the most effective approach.

"Arjen, come sit down," Gao Shen quickly motioned.

He poured Robben a glass of water and started with some small talk—his training, his return to the team, how he was feeling.

They talked about various things, but eventually, the conversation felt forced.

"Boss, is something wrong?" Robben finally asked, sensing the awkwardness.

This wasn't like Gao Shen at all.

Gao Shen nodded, then got straight to the point.

At first, Robben's reaction was intense. He repeatedly assured Gao Shen that his condition was perfect, that he felt better than he had in the past year. He insisted he could start and play the full 90 minutes.

But Gao Shen remained calm, patiently explaining his reasoning.

Gradually, Robben began to understand.

But understanding didn't mean accepting it easily.

"Boss, I get what you're saying, but even if I start, I can still be just as dangerous in the second half. You have to trust me!" Robben argued.

"I do trust you," Gao Shen nodded. "But Arjen, my analysis tells me Wenger will approach this game cautiously. In the early stages, when both sides are physically fresh, the match is likely to be a stalemate."

"If Arsenal plays with three defensive midfielders—Denilson, Alex Song, and Diaby—you'll have almost no space to work with. My plan is for you to sit on the bench during this attrition phase, study their movements, and when the game reaches its breaking point, that's when you come on and make the difference."

After a pause, Gao Shen added, "Don't think Wenger will sit back and defend for 90 minutes. I guarantee he won't. He'll be hiding his best weapon too, waiting until we're drained before using it."

"So when that moment comes, your impact will decide whether we win or lose."

"You're on the bench, but all of my bets, all of our hopes are on you!"

Hearing those words, Robben felt the sincerity in Gao Shen's voice.

Gao Shen could have sugarcoated it, come up with a more diplomatic excuse, but he had chosen to be brutally honest instead.

"Boss, how confident are you?" Robben asked.

Gao Shen thought for a moment before answering.

"Seventy percent."

Seventy percent?

That was high enough!

No one could say for certain whether Gao Shen's judgment was correct, but given his conviction, it was only natural for him to make such a decision. Robben understood his reasoning.

"I trust you, and I'll follow your plan," Robben said with a smile.

Gao Shen was momentarily surprised.

He hadn't expected Robben to accept it so easily.

He had anticipated a long conversation, perhaps even having to convince him twice.

But looking at Robben's face, he saw nothing but trust and a genuine smile.

Maybe the Dutchman truly believed in his instincts and tactical judgment.

The coaching staff had never doubted Gao Shen's decisions, but they had worried about a potential conflict with Robben over this.

As a head coach, Gao Shen always had to consider multiple factors.

Now that Robben had agreed, everything became much easier.

…

That afternoon, Gao Shen attended the pre-match press conference at Carrington and announced the 18-man squad for the match against Arsenal, which included Robben, Adam Lallana, and others.

As for the starting lineup and substitutes, those would only be revealed at the last moment.

During the press conference, Gao Shen deliberately provoked Wenger, claiming he expected an exciting game because Wenger was not a conservative manager.

"This will be a clash between the two most powerful attacking teams in the Premier League!"

He even "predicted" a high-scoring battle.

On the same day, Arsenal's captain, Cesc Fàbregas, had given an interview to The Guardian, where he expressed great confidence in Arsenal's strength, citing their recent draw at Old Trafford against Manchester United.

"Some teams try to prevent us from playing our style with questionable tactics, but we won't be intimidated by that. Our draw proved that no one can bully us."

Fàbregas had used the word bully.

While he was referring to the match against Manchester United, his words also seemed to be aimed at the upcoming showdown against Manchester City.

In response, Gao Shen publicly agreed with Fàbregas and supported his remarks, saying he hoped both teams would stick to their attacking philosophies and deliver a thrilling spectacle for the Premier League and fans worldwide.

"So, Wenger, shall we go all-out on offense? The first one to play defensively is a coward!"

But then, Gao Shen subtly shifted the topic.

He first expressed his respect for Wenger but added that he didn't believe the Arsenal manager would actually take such an aggressive approach in an away game against Manchester City.

"Let's wait and see," Gao Shen said with a confident smile.

The media then brought up his infamous statement from his time at Napoli when he declared he would show the world how to beat Arsenal—only for his Napoli side to thoroughly dismantle them.

"Now, Mr. Gao, you've come to the Premier League. We're all looking forward to it. Do you still have the confidence to show the world once again how to beat Arsenal?"

Gao Shen had anticipated this question.

"You're obviously a London-based journalist, but why do I get the impression that you have a deep-seated grudge against Arsenal and are eager to see them lose as badly as possible?"

Laughter erupted in the press room.

After all, stirring up controversy was part of the media's job.

"The first two times I beat Arsenal, I did it with two different teams, using two different tactical approaches. Now, at Manchester City, I'll be demonstrating a third way, so watch carefully!"

The reporters instantly became excited.

Different ways to destroy Arsenal?

Just the thought of it was thrilling!

(To be continued.)