Chapter 375: Chapter 110: Advancing to the Semifinals! Golden Boy Award Gains Momentum! Brand-New Skills Training! The Plan to Level Up an Alt Account?

After Arsenal somewhat sluggishly took the corner kick, the match gradually approached its end.

During the final moments, Mancini substituted David Silva to strengthen the attack, while Wenger replaced Shamakh with Vermaelen to reinforce the defense with five defenders.

These are fairly conventional strategies to win, and neither coach showed much emotional fluctuation on their faces.

In the English League Cup, having championship hopes is nice, but an early exit is also acceptable. It means fewer games in the latter half of the season, enhancing the fighting strength on other fronts.

"Boom!"

In the 84th minute of the match, David Silva utilized his exquisite skills to break through the defenses of Frimpong and Arteta, delivering a direct pass to Aguero.

This pass cut through Arsenal’s defense, creating an almost one-on-one chance for Aguero.

But the Argentine forward’s subsequent low shot towards the far corner skimmed just wide, about 2 feet from the goal.

"Ah.....!" The Manchester City traveling fans gasped in surprise, with many waving their hands helplessly and leaving early to catch transport back to Manchester.

Mancini sniffed a couple of times, brushed off snow from his head with his hand, turned around, and sat back on the bench with a calm expression.

In the 91st minute of the match, during the last minute of injury time.

Ma’el shielded the ball in the left corner flag area, with Sabaleta and David Silva pressing him from behind, vying for the ball at his feet.

Balotelli, perhaps affected or afraid of getting a card, stayed far away, strolling quietly in the middle, watching him perform.

"Bang bang..."

Ma’el couldn’t withstand the combination of height and agility for long, so he dribbled through the gap between the two, moving towards the center.

He initially thought they would close in to defend him, but David Silva seemed aware he wasn’t a match, sidestepping to avoid him.

Unfortunate Sabaleta, who intended to team up with a colleague to provoke a foul, ended up taking Ma’el’s full-force challenge due to his teammate’s sidestep.

"Clash!"

Their bodies collided, with Sabaleta launching off the line, as if something beyond the pitch attracted him.

Once Ma’el retrieved the ball, he kicked it to Van Persie waiting at the center, then joined the center run.

While delaying time, if there’s a chance for a goal, it should be approached earnestly.

"Ma’el’s moved up! Balotelli..... he was just strolling near the top of the arc, like a grandpa smoking and drinking beer in the park, now has to prepare seriously once more.

"Van Persie takes control, seemingly preparing to shoot directly! Oh..... it’s a feint, he’s passing to the advancing Ma’el.

"The cannon is ready!"

As Ma’el ran steadily to the center, he saw Van Persie deliver a perfectly paced pass, his eyes lit up, and he glanced over to check the goalkeeper’s position.

Turning back, he noticed Balotelli’s strong figure approaching, last year’s Golden Boy, certainly athletic. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Balotelli realized he probably wouldn’t make it before Ma’el shot, so he looked up to evaluate the goalkeeper’s position.

Somehow, he imagined himself as Ma’el, thinking about where he would shoot if it were him.

Blast the upper right corner!

That’s the optimal route Balotelli envisioned, believing his own kicking skills might achieve it.

"Boom!!"

It was then, as Ma’el struck the ball, greeting Van Persie’s pass, drawing a full bow to unleash a powerful dipping shot, favoring power over sharper curvature.

From the moment the ball took flight, it headed towards the top right corner, experiencing only a brief trajectory shift, before smashing into that spot.

Today’s match posed few challenges for Manchester City’s number two goalkeeper Pantilimon, yet every challenge seems akin to a life-or-death test.

Shots towards his goal either went astray, hit squarely..... or like the current one, where there was no hope of a successful save.

"Slash!"

"Another goal! Two to zero! Arsenal secures the victory! We might prematurely congratulate Arsenal on advancing to the 11-12 season League Cup semi-finals!

"In another match, Liverpool is also leading Chelsea two to zero..... thus, the lower semi-final pairing is likely to be between Arsenal and Liverpool!

"Ma’el’s signature long shot! Balotelli, his performance in attack today is ordinary, shouldering more defensive duties.

"I’ve mentioned his name many times..... unfortunately with nothing praiseworthy, on his defensive side today, he’s often just a props for Ma’el!

"This previous Golden Boy feels outclassed by Ma’el, perhaps indicating something."

On the pitch, thunderous cheers erupted once more, with Arsenal players running excitedly towards the corner flag area.

Ma’el laughed heartily as he spread his arms to glide, completing this celebration move.

Morning snow!

English League Cup!

Scoring a double to advance to the semi-finals!

"Aahh...!"

Upon reaching the sideline, he clenched his right fist and punched the sky, releasing all his excitement.

It’s certain now, post this match, Arsenal will enter League Cup contention mode, Wenger will pour every effort into this cup.

This long-desired line will officially become a major endeavor for the whole team!

"I will join you!" Van Persie understood Ma’el’s mindset and ran up to him saying, "So, the team’s new goal is to end the embarrassing six-year trophy drought by the end of February!"