Chapter 549: The Veteran's Youthful Boldness
Sanchez felt nervous. He had missed several passing opportunities, and he knew this would anger Wenger. However, Sanchez didn't think he was wrong. He believed that if he could get past Ashley Young, the attack would be more effective. To him, it wasn't a matter of making a wrong choice; he just needed to try harder to unlock that golden opportunity.
He was only afraid of being scolded, not because he thought he was wrong. These were two different things.
Having played for Arsenal for almost four years, Sanchez knew that their usually gentlemanly manager actually had a fiery temper. Wenger typically controlled his anger well, but once provoked, he could be as terrifying as any other legendary Premier League manager, even more so than Ferguson.
Sanchez knew that today, his actions had definitely provoked Wenger.
Sanchez walked slowly, loitering in the hallway, hoping to return late enough that Wenger would have forgotten the incident or vented his anger on someone else, perhaps Özil or Aubameyang.
After waiting for about two minutes, Sanchez decided it was time. He pushed open the door and entered.
"I had a stomachache and went to the restroom," Sanchez explained proactively before anyone could ask.
Then, pretending not to notice Wenger's gaze, Sanchez walked to the bench and sat down.
"Hey, Mesut, how's it going…" Sanchez tried to ask Özil quietly, signaling with his eyes.
But before he could finish, both Özil and Bellerin stood up and moved away from him. Watching them disappear in different directions, and seeing the silence in the locker room, Sanchez knew he was in trouble.
"Oh no, I didn't escape," he thought.
Looking down, he saw a pair of shiny black leather shoes stop in front of him, toes pointing his way.
"Oh no, here it comes," Sanchez thought as he looked up and forced a smile. "Boss, were you looking for me?"
Wenger didn't say a word, holding an open bottle of water.
Wenger raised the bottle, intending to pour it over Sanchez's head to cool him down. But Sanchez instinctively dodged, and his raised arm knocked the bottle, spilling more water on Wenger's shoes than on Sanchez.
Seeing Wenger's shiny black shoes get soaked, Sanchez couldn't help but laugh.
Watching Sanchez laugh, Wenger was furious. He threw the half-empty bottle at Sanchez.
Sanchez jumped around to avoid it, darting toward the crowded area, causing the bottle to hit not just him but also Özil and Koscielny.
As Sanchez dodged and laughed, Wenger grew even angrier. He threw the bottle two more times, but Sanchez, with his nimble footwork, managed to evade both.
Frustrated, Wenger finally threw the bottle away, hitting Aubameyang squarely on the forehead.
"Hey—" Aubameyang was about to say something but quickly clammed up when he saw Wenger's glare, pretending nothing happened.
The chase left Wenger panting, partly from exhaustion and partly from anger. Hands on his hips, he took deep breaths.
Sanchez quickly ran over to comfort him, "Boss, don't be mad. It's bad for your health."
Wenger glared at Sanchez, standing so close their noses almost touched. Then he slapped Sanchez's head lightly and snorted.
The other players, watching the drama unfold, rushed over to help Wenger to a seat, exchanging relieved looks as the tension seemed to ease.
With time running out, Wenger started discussing tactics for the second half. He needed to boost their morale. A team that loses its fighting spirit has little chance of a comeback.
Wenger told them if they scored within the first half of the second period, victory would be theirs.
Coming from Wenger, these words carried weight. His track record gave him the authority to make such claims, and most Arsenal players believed him.
Besides boosting morale, they needed a solid tactical plan. Before the second half began, Wenger made a substitution.
Ex-Manchester United player Welbeck replaced Chambers, changing Arsenal's formation to 4-3-3. Özil, Xhaka, and Ramsey formed the midfield, with Özil on the left. Welbeck, Aubameyang, and Sanchez formed the frontline.
Wenger knew Welbeck's hunger for the game, especially against his former club, and positioned Özil on the left to counter United's right-wing attacks.
Although the half-time talk included a harsh scolding for Sanchez, there was no escaping Wenger's reprimand this time.
Sanchez eyed Ashley Young, still wanting to break through. He believed if he could get past Young and score, Wenger would praise him.
Determined, Sanchez set his mind to it.
On the sidelines, Wenger, seeing Sanchez's serious expression, felt relieved. "These kids only listen after a good scolding," he said to Pat Rice.
"I have a feeling that kid won't listen," Rice said, tapping his head. "He's too stubborn."
"Just like you?" Wenger retorted.
On the other side, Mourinho observed everything. "Is Wenger really this relaxed when trailing 0-2 at halftime?"
Mourinho remained cautious. Despite his favorable record against Wenger, he knew the Frenchman was a formidable opponent.
Standing by the sidelines, hands in pockets, Mourinho watched intently as the second half began with Arsenal on the offensive.
Özil's activity increased the pressure on United's right flank, reducing Mbappe's attacking forays.
Then, an unexpected event: Mbappe injured his ankle and had to leave the field.
Mourinho sent on Mahrez.
"You'll play on the left," Mourinho instructed Mahrez, positioning Rashford on the right.
"Tell Marcus to increase the pressure on the right side."
"Focus on cross-field passes," Mourinho said, marking an X on the tactics board.
"When Marcus heats up the right, Arsenal's defense will shift, creating opportunities on the left."
Mahrez nodded eagerly, ready to seize his chance. He had joined United aiming for a starting spot but found himself overshadowed by Rashford and Mbappe. Now, he was determined to prove himself.
As Mahrez took the field and relayed Mourinho's instructions, Rashford began to exert pressure on the right, forcing Özil to defend, and stifling Arsenal's left-wing attacks.
Mourinho hadn't anticipated such immediate success from his adjustments. Within five minutes, United launched an attack down the right.
Rashford sped past Özil and continued down the wing. As Arsenal's defense shifted, Rashford made a cross-field pass.
Bruno received it centrally and quickly passed to the left.
Mahrez, attacking from the left, reached the byline and crossed the ball. The ball curved toward the goal, and Ospina, misjudging the trajectory, missed it as it sailed through his hands.
"Missed it!" the commentator shouted.
Ospina, horrified, saw a red jersey rushing in.
"Cancelo!"
United's right-back dived forward, heading the ball into the net.
"GOOOOOOOOOOALLLLL!!!! Cancelo! Cancelo! Cancelo!"
"United leads Arsenal 3-0!!!"
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