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Chapter 42: Season Opener: Arsenal vs Sunderland (Fragile Defense)
🕑 Added 2025-05-18 15:06:20 +0000 UTCIn the afternoon scrimmage, Kai continued to perform impressively.
Midway through the session, the Professor instructed Le Kai to attempt a threatening long pass—ideally aimed at Podolski or Gervinho.
Kai followed the instructions without hesitation.
With either foot, he launched a precise long ball into a wide-open area behind the opposition’s line.
Unfortunately, neither Podolski nor Gervinho picked up on it.
To put it bluntly, they didn’t even spot the space Kai had aimed for.
Wenger could only let out a helpless sigh.
"Try Walcott with Kai."
The effect was immediate and striking.
Kai and Walcott showed a surprising connection.
As training went on, Kai began to grow more confident with his long passing. He wasn’t just sitting deep and defending anymore—he was starting to enjoy orchestrating attacks.
After combining neatly with Arteta, he sliced a sharp through ball down the middle.
Later, on a quick counterattack, he received a pass near the center circle. Without taking a touch, he used the outside of his boot to bend a huge arc across the pitch from the left to Walcott on the far right.
The trivela stunned the coaching staff.
From Kai's angle, it was clear he’d noticed Suarez drifting into space, and Podolski preparing to move. But Walcott’s run? Almost no one had spotted it—except Kai.
With so many players clustered in the middle, there were blind spots everywhere.
Never mind the technique—the mere fact he saw that pass was astonishing.
Wenger’s heart skipped a beat.
He quietly hoped Kai would try another.
But after that moment of brilliance, Kai returned to his disciplined defensive role.
At first, Wenger assumed he’d just failed to find another opportunity. Or maybe he was simply marked too tightly.
Then Pat Rice glanced down at the scoreboard.
“Main team 1:0 Subs.”
Wenger blinked. He thought back to their previous warm-up matches.
Every time Arsenal had taken the lead, Kai would retreat into a full-on defensive stance.
One goal up and already in defensive mode.
Wenger felt a mix of admiration and frustration.
He muttered, “Mourinho would love this guy…”
Wenger was still happy because Kai was making an effort to forward and attack.
That was what he liked about Kai, always working hard to fix his deficiencies.
After training, Wenger stood in front of the squad with the tactics board. Everyone knew what this meant—matchday selection was about to be announced.
Tomorrow was August 18th—the Premier League season opener.
“I’ll now read the list of players selected for tomorrow’s match,” Wenger said, scanning the group before looking down at the sheet.
“Suarez, Podolski, Walcott, Arteta, Gervinho…”
Each name called drew visible satisfaction. Making the matchday squad for the season opener was no small thing.
At the end of the list, Wenger looked up, closed the sheet, and read one final name.
“Kai.”
Kai’s expression remained calm, the same as the others.
No one was surprised.
After all, his performances at the end of last season, throughout preseason, and during training had all been standout.
Some players were even hoping to see Kai start.
Take Vermaelen, for example.
Since Song's departure, Vermaelen had been under constant defensive pressure.
Sure, Song had often surged forward, but at least when defending, attackers had to deal with him first.
Now?
Arteta, Diaby, Ramsey, Cazorla, Coquelin—not one of them had a strong defensive presence.
Ramsey showed more effort than most, but that was about it.
Without a true defensive midfielder, the backline was under siege.
But if Kai was on the pitch, it was like installing a wall in front of the defense.
Opponents couldn't just stroll through the middle, and Vermaelen’s workload would ease dramatically.
Vermaelen approached Kai, clapped him on the shoulder, and said, “Congrats—play well tomorrow.”
Others had the same thought.
No one doubted he deserved to play.
If Kai didn’t deserve it, then no one else in his position did.
...
[Billy's House, London]
That night, Kai shared the news.
Billy grinned like a kid on Christmas morning and pulled out three tickets.
“See this? I was ready!” he said proudly.
Kai was surprised. “You knew I’d be on the list?”
Billy shrugged. “If your performances last season weren’t enough to convince Wenger, then I’d start questioning the Professor’s judgment.”
“Luckily, he’s still got a sharp eye. You’re on the team—and you might even start!”
Kai shook his head. “Unlikely. The Professor said I’d need to develop for half a season.”
Wenger had been upfront: he wanted Kai to build experience before becoming a regular starter.
Kai accepted that without complaint.
He’d waited an entire season already.
Even if he was mostly a sub for now, it was a big step forward.
...
August 18th, 3:30 PM, London Time
[Emirates Stadium, London]
2012/13 Premier League Season Opener
Arsenal vs. Sunderland
Thirty minutes had passed.
The score: 1–1.
Arsenal (4-3-3):
Goalkeeper: Szczesny
Defenders: Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Vermaelen (C), Gibbs
Midfielders: Diaby, Arteta, Cazorla
Forwards: Gervinho, Suarez, Podolski
Sunderland (4-1-4-1):
Goalkeeper: Mignolet
Defenders: Richardson, O’Shea, Cuéllar, Craig Gardner
Holding Midfielder: Cattermole (C)
Attacking Midfielders: McClean, Colback, Larsson, Campbell
Forward: Sessegnon
Arsenal had struck first. A slick attack ended with Podolski assisting Suarez for the opener.
But just two minutes later, Sunderland equalized.
On a rare counterattack, Campbell powered forward and set up the goal.
The match had become tense and deadlocked.
Arsenal fans in the stadium were growing anxious.
Despite Arsenal’s pressure up front, their defense felt alarmingly fragile.
Sunderland’s goal wasn’t particularly fast or sharp, but it worked.
Arteta and Diaby had simply let the opponent run through midfield, offering no resistance.
Once again, all the defensive burden fell on Vermaelen.
With the backline in disarray and multiple Sunderland attackers pouring forward, Arsenal had no answer.
Wenger looked stunned on the sidelines.
He hadn’t expected things to unravel so quickly without Song anchoring the midfield.
It was a harsh reality—this team had a glaring hole at defensive mid.
Arteta wasn’t aggressive enough, and Diaby was underwhelming.
Cazorla was decent, but he played so high up that he couldn’t drop back in time.
As Arsenal lost possession again, Sunderland launched a quick break.
Midfielder Larsson charged forward.
Arteta and Diaby gave chase... then stopped.
They watched as Larsson strolled into Arsenal’s half and slipped the ball to Campbell on the left wing.
Once again, chaos in the back.
Gibbs tried to recover, but Campbell shifted directions effortlessly, cut inside, and left Gibbs on the ground.
Just as Campbell reached the penalty box, Mertesacker lunged in with a desperate sliding tackle.
Man, ball, everything.
“Wake up! What the hell are you doing?!” Vermaelen roared.
He couldn’t understand what the midfield was doing—just watching opponents push forward?
Arteta and Diaby looked sheepish.
The commentary for this match was from Ian Darke and Steve McManaman from ESPN.
“Arsenal's midfield defense is all over the place. Very poor by the Gunners.” McManaman called from his observation.
" I couldn't agree more with you, Stev- OH DEAR, Sunderland with the counter. Arteta and Diaby with lead for boots are nowhere near. CAMPBELL STRIKES!! Denied by Szczesny!!"
The fans exploded in frustration.
“Press him! Don’t just stand there!”
“Where’s the fight?!”
“Arteta, Diaby—wake up!”
“DEFENSE, DAMMIT!”
The frustration boiled over.
No one expected Song’s departure to leave such a crater.
Last season, many had criticized Song for neglecting his defensive duties.
Now that he was gone, Arsenal’s defense was falling apart.
Ironically, fans began to miss him.
But that only made them angrier.
This… was looking like a disaster.
