The Prince of Inter Milan starts with Brother Xiaosa

Chapter 43
  At midnight on January 2008, 1, Big Ben’s New Year’s Eve bell rang over London.

At the end of the 12 bells, fireworks were set off on the Millennium Pedestrian Bridge across the Thames on the south side of St. Paul's Cathedral. Young people and friends who liked the excitement gathered together to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

The evening breeze blew against his cheeks, and Leo stood alone on the bank of the Thames looking at such a magnificent scene, his heart surging.

A new year, a new beginning, and he is about to reach a new level!

However, things didn't seem to go as smoothly as Leo thought.

On New Year's Day, 2008, in the st round of the Premier League, Tottenham played against Aston Villa.

I don’t know if it’s because the team has just adjusted their tactics, or because it’s the New Year’s Day, and the Lily Legion soldiers are a little absent-minded, or because Aston Villa performed well at home.

In short, the game ended with the home team defeating Tottenham 2-1.

Martin Jol's side finally came to an end after a fourteen-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Four days later, in the third round of the FA Cup, we must pay attention to the weekend's League Cup. Leo did not play. Tottenham Hotspur eliminated Reading 2-1 at home and successfully advanced to the next round.

Four days later, in the first leg of the English League Cup semi-finals, Tottenham again visited the Emirates Stadium for the third North London derby this season!
  This is also the second time the two teams have met in this event after the League Cup semi-finals last season. Last year, Arsenal eliminated Tottenham with a total score of 5-3 over two rounds to advance to the final.

Diarra, who was recently rumored to be leaving Arsenal, was left out of the squad by Wenger.

The Gunners' three African internationals Kolo Toure, Eboue and Alexander Song all left the team to participate in the African Cup of Nations.

The same goes for Zocola at Tottenham.

Therefore, African players are really difficult to use. You must know that the Premier League is now a critical moment with a dense schedule.

Although they have reached the semi-finals, judging from today's starting lineup, the "Professor" still adheres to the principle of using young players to play cup matches.

Djolu, who returned from Birmingham on loan, Robin van Persie, who recovered from injury, Theo Walcott and Hoyt started, Fabianski replaced Lehmann to guard the goal, and Senderos became the captain on the field.

The starting list submitted by Tottenham is still the same four-four-two parallel position as usual, but when the game starts, the audience will find that this does not seem to be the case.

Leo's position is obviously further forward, appearing behind the two forwards. Tottenham's formation looks like it should be a four-four-two diamond position.

The two teams were already very familiar with each other. After the start, there was no need for too much probing and the fierce competition started directly.

Arsenal, playing at home, certainly hopes to avenge the double defeat in the League Cup in the League Cup, but almost none of the home team players on the field today are the main players, so Tottenham have the upper hand.

In the third minute, Berbatov quickly counterattacked and sent a cross from the left. Leo stopped the ball with his chest on the line of the penalty area and turned around to avoid Senderos' clearance. Then he hit the goal with a strong and heavy kick and was blocked by Fabianski. Barely saved.

Although the goal was not scored, Leo's attack still had the effect of knocking the mountain and shaking the tiger.

Arsenal youngster Djurou was too concerned about Leo wandering outside the penalty area when defending a corner kick and was not focused enough. Ledley King grabbed a header from his side!
  It's a pity that the golden team's header hit the goal post and bounced off the baseline.

Two minutes later, Ledley King stole the ball in the backcourt, Leo made a long pass, and Berbatov knocked it across. Robbie Keane, who broke into the penalty area, lost the chance to shoot due to the defensive interference of Jolu.

Then Malbranque broke through Traore's defense on the right side of the penalty area and made a pass, but there was no teammate in the middle to respond.

After playing for ten minutes, Wenger gradually came to his senses and understood the changes in Tottenham's tactics.

But the professor was even more confused. He didn't understand why his opponent played like this.

Bell passed the ball from the wing, Keane turned back, and Leo volleyed unmarked at the top of the penalty area and hit Senderos.

"Leo is positioned further forward today and is more threatening whether passing or shooting, so he is using this kid as his core?"

Wenger smiled. He thought he was the only one in the world who would make a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old child the core of the team.

Regardless of whether Martin Jol succeeds or not, this courage is commendable. The Arsenal coach glanced approvingly at the visiting team's bench at the Emirates Stadium, but saw no expression on the Dutchman's face.

Withstanding Tottenham's offensive pressure in the first ten minutes, Arsenal's boys also entered the state and no longer blindly defended.

In the 11th minute, after receiving Diaby's pass, Van Persie changed direction and accelerated past Hoddlestone, but was fouled by Dawson and brought down outside the penalty area.

Denilson's 30-yard free kick from Tottenham's goal was confiscated by Tottenham goalkeeper Cherney.

Three minutes later it was Arsenal's chance to counterattack again!

Little tiger Walcott showed his absolute speed that was faster than Bale, running wildly into the half-court and delivering a cross!

Although the quality of Walcott's cross is quite poor, Van Persie has long been used to it. Robin Man keeps the ball in the middle of the penalty area, half-turns and volleys!
  The action is very cool, but the difficulty of this shot is too high.

The ball did not hit the goal frame and flew directly out of the baseline.

However, the Gunners' quick counterattack was still quite threatening, and Tottenham goalkeeper Cherney was so frightened that he broke into a cold sweat.

The Arsenal fans in the stands also enjoyed watching it and gave encouraging applause to the home team's attack.

Van Persie didn't complain about his teammates' poor crosses, and gave the little tiger a thumbs up.

Walcott's physical fitness is absolutely nothing to say. When he was with Bale at Southampton, his speed was better than that of the Welshman.

As long as his skills were better, he wouldn't have plummeted due to injuries and age when his body was no longer as strong as before.

Seeing his former roommate showing off his speed, Bell was not to be outdone and raised his hand to play the ball on the wing.

Huddlestone's long pass from the backcourt was handed to the left, and Gareth Bale almost mirrored Walcott's performance just now.

Bell broke through all the way to the bottom line before stopping and passing the ball into the penalty area.

Zhu Lu headed the ball to clear the ball, but somehow the ball fell to Leo's feet again.

The Arsenal center back rushed out of the penalty area to meet Leo. The Tottenham youngster smiled and lifted the ball over Djuru's head with his right foot.

Then he took a step forward unhurriedly and before the ball hit the ground, he volleyed sideways!
  At this moment, time seemed to have stopped at the Emirates Stadium. All the noisy sounds a second ago disappeared, and everyone stared intently at the ball flying towards the goal.

Polish goalkeeper Fabianski stretched his body and tried to catch Leo's shot, but he was still half a step too slow.

"Shh!"

The ball went in!One to zero!

"Bell broke through from the left! He got rid of Arsenal's full-back Hoyt!
  Cross! Senderos headed the ball out of the penalty area!
  The second penalty was still controlled by Tottenham, there was still a chance!
  Leo made an outstanding pick! In! Successful volley!

Tottenham, playing away from home, took the lead in breaking the deadlock! "

All Arsenal fans, whether on site or in front of the TV, were silent.

Leo came to the sidelines and made his carefully designed celebration for the first time in front of the camera.

Lunge apart, bend the bow and set an arrow! This sunny boy with a bright smile looked a little domineering at this time!

　Bolt performed this celebration gesture for the first time after winning the BJ Olympics. Now it's okay for Leo to use it in advance.

　　There is also Cavani who likes to celebrate goals with archery movements. At this time, he is just a substitute for Palermo. It’s okay not to mention Leodo who scored a goal :D
  　　
  　
  (End of this chapter)