Inside Valencia, the squad also featured many young talents who had come through the youth academies of Real Madrid or Barcelona.
For Arsenal, this match was equally significant.
It was their first encounter of the season against a La Liga team!
In recent years, La Liga had been surging with momentum.
Last year, out of the FIFA Best XI, 8 of the 11 players were from La Liga—a fact that spoke volumes!
European media erupted in excitement!
Arsenal had created an unstoppable storm in the Premier League, even consecutively defeating the champions of Serie A and Bundesliga.
Now, on La Liga soil,
could they maintain that dominant momentum?
February 3rd!
The Champions League Round of 16, first leg had arrived!
Arsenal would travel to Valencia's home, Mestalla Stadium,
to face this formidable La Liga side head-on.
Some media outlets were already hyping the match.
This would be Arsenal's first clash of the season with a La Liga club.
Pre-match,
Valencia's head coach Unai Emery told the cameras:
"La Liga is the heart of European football! Mestalla Stadium is a temple in the hearts of Valencians! Tonight, no matter how extraordinary Arsenal or their Ballon d'Or-winning star may be, Valencia will stand united to fiercely defend the honor of Mestalla!"
Spanish media went absolutely wild!
Although they wouldn't immediately witness Arsenal face the La Liga giants Barcelona or Real Madrid,
Valencia, as one of the top three clubs in La Liga, still carried the media's high expectations.
All Spanish media eagerly hoped that this La Liga powerhouse could deliver a strong blow to the visiting Premier League champions.
Evening fell.
Arsenal's plane touched down at Valencia Airport.
The team bus slowly drove into Valencia city.
Outside the windows, thousands of Valencia fans had gathered, creating a boisterous spectacle!
Valencia flags emblazoned with bat emblems fluttered in the wind,
forming an unbroken sea around the bus.
"The top three in La Liga? Many players in their squad came from Real Madrid or Barcelona's academies?"
"Tonight, we'll let La Liga feel the shock of the Premier League champions!"
Inside Arsenal's bus,
Kai stood at the center, eyes sweeping over his teammates.
For a moment, the Gunners erupted in energy and morale.
Every player's eyes burned with intense fighting spirit.
One hour later!
At the packed Mestalla Stadium,
the dimly lit players' tunnel reverberated with thunderous battle cries, pounding like drums from the entrance!
Inside the tunnel,
Valencia players looked at the front of Arsenal's lineup with various expressions.
Kai, wearing the captain's armband, became the focus of every Valencia player's attention.
"This is the guy who took the Ballon d'Or from Messi and Ronaldo?"
Many Valencia players, who had themselves come through Real Madrid and Barcelona academies, clenched their fists, brimming with battle intent.
When Kai led the Arsenal players out of the tunnel,
the roar of the crowd immediately engulfed the stadium.
Arsenal fans in the away stands responded with unrestrained cheers.
Meanwhile, almost 60,000 Valencia fans in the stadium turned their gaze in unison toward the pitch.
Although far away in the Spanish football scene, the fans and players had long heard of Kai's exploits!
They were especially impressed by his recent dominance at the FIFA awards, where he crushed Messi and Ronaldo to claim the Ballon d'Or!
"In this match, Valencia and Arsenal are both deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation!"
"Valencia has multiple players who came through elite youth academies!"
"Midfielder Parejo started at Real Madrid's Castilla! Forward Soldado also came from Real Madrid's academy, even playing for the first team in the 08–09 La Liga season!"
"Another Valencia midfielder, Piatti, is even more renowned! In the 2007 U-20 World Cup, the champion Argentina featured Piatti as Messi's teammate!"
"Piatti has been called the 'Second Messi,' and even carries the title of 'Argentina's Iniesta'!"
Under Valencia's night sky,
amid the roar of Mestalla Stadium,
"Beep!"
The referee's whistle sounded!
The Champions League Round of 16, first leg, had officially begun!
The stands erupted with frenzied cheers.
Soldado and Piatti rolled the ball out,
and the players began moving into their positions.
On the sidelines, Emery's expression was grave.
Everyone had heard of the Arsenal squad led by Kai.
Facing these Premier League storm-bringers in the first leg of the Champions League knockout stage,
the pressure on Valencia's head coach was immense.
On the pitch,
as Valencia rolled the ball out,
both teams began to move.
Though it was Arsenal's first visit to La Liga this season,
they immediately took the initiative, moving with incredible momentum!
Right from the start, they launched relentless high pressing.
Kai's steps surged past the halfway line,
pressing furiously on Valencia's ball-carrying midfielders!
Mestalla erupted with intense gasps and cheers!
Valencia fans in the stands were stunned.
Before Valencia could even establish their footing,
Arsenal's ferocious pressing exceeded everyone's expectations!
On the sidelines, Emery's brow furrowed deeply.
He had studied Arsenal's pressing tactics,
but he had never imagined it would be this aggressive!
On the pitch, in Valencia's midfield and defensive zones,
Kai read the play with pinpoint precision!
He intercepted Piatti's back-pass to Parejo!
Facing the eyes of 60,000 fans,
Kai executed a tight, exquisite dribble,
evading Parejo's attempted counter-press.
Arsenal's formation instantly responded, surging forward at lightning speed!
Facing the gaze of 60,000 spectators,
Kai decisively struck the ball!
The entire Mestalla Stadium erupted into a chorus of astonished gasps!
~~----------------------
Patreon Advance Chapters:
[email protected] / Dreamer20