Contentment brings happiness, winning is a blessing.
I think the way we perceive things depends on our mindset. The difference in mindset not only determines one's position but also influences one's principle of dealing with matters. One of the factors that affects mindset is "comparison." Some people say Arsenal lacks strength and compared to Chelsea, it's like children looking at adults; some say Arsenal isn't mature enough and compared to Manchester United, it's still like children looking at adults; some say Arsenal lacks quality and compared to Liverpool, it's still like children looking at adults. I say, you are comparing, and you are comparing from bottom to top, such comparisons lead to an uncomfortable mindset, with harsh demands and high expectations, and failure would result in cursing or even smashing the computer. After last season's trials, I have developed a mindset that is contrary to this. This mindset also emphasizes "comparison," but it's a comparison from top to bottom, which leads to optimism. I admit this optimism has a bit of Ah Q spirit, especially now, it's more of a self-consolation, but I always believe that self-consolation is better than no consolation at all, and having something to compare is better than having nothing to compare. I always think that contentment brings happiness for this reason. This kind of happiness may seem "degenerate," but the calmness derived from it can "prolong life" and "ward off evil spirits."
Remember last year's winter transfer window, there were those who eagerly awaited the arrival of Tsar (Arshavin), and there were those who strongly opposed it. But after a year, how many of those who opposed have quietly become fans of Tsar. Then this summer's transfer window, regarding the sale of Toure and Adebayor in exchange for a "short-statured" Vermaelen, there were countless supporters and opponents. After a month of trials since the start of the season, how many of those who opposed have been quietly convinced by the Emperor's (Vermaelen) reign. Then there was the plan to transform Van Persie into a center-forward after the start of the season, with two factions: those against Van Persie and those supporting him. Now that Van Persie is seriously injured, how many of those who were against him have quietly developed longing sickness. As they say, "Not knowing until compared, one shock upon comparison." Comparing Tsar's data over the past year, Vermaelen's performance over these few months, and Arsenal's record without Van Persie, I can't help but ask, where are those opponents now? This is why I like to remain calm, more calm means more options, being in a situation where the front path is undecided and the back path is cut off is not something everyone can endure, just look at those who have disappeared.
Before the game today, someone said, "Look at this starting lineup, it's so embarrassing." If this was said last season, it would be unbelievable, with Tsar on the field, the legendary No.7 and No.8 both present, this was a scene I fantasized about every day last season, how is it embarrassing now when these three are together? After the game, I estimate some people will be dissatisfied with the score and the game, then go ahead and vent for 5 minutes to clear your mind. Two consecutive league losses, plus the League Cup makes it three consecutive losses, if we end up with a goalless draw or even four consecutive losses, would you be satisfied? So, when you're tired of eating rich food, think about the days of eating coarse food, when you've had enough of silk clothes, think about the days of wearing rags, you'll find that contentment brings happiness, winning is a blessing, Arsenal is the most powerful football club in the world!
Most people watching today's game will find it dull. Tsar missed a single chance created by Cesc Fabregas within the first 5 minutes, then Fabregas wasted a penalty created by Tsar, followed by Eboue blocking Fabregas' empty-net attempt. In the final stages of the second half, Tsar again missed a single chance given by Fabregas. To me, this game was like a couple arguing, Tsar taking an extra step destroyed a dream-like start and wasted one of Fabregas' assists. Then Fabregas absent-mindedly missed the penalty created by Tsar, Tsar came up to console him, saying, "It's okay, it's okay, don't mind it." Fabregas replied, "I did it on purpose, now you know how it feels when others waste your assists." Couples argue and make up quickly, soon Tsar received a through ball from Fabregas and sneaked the ball into the far corner under double pressure. What I can't understand is Eboue, when we could have launched another quick attack, why was he exactly there to block Fabregas' shot? Is he the third party in Fabregas and Tsar's relationship, wanting to get rid of Fabregas and stay with Tsar forever? Remember in the last round of the Champions League, Tsar stood in the middle of the goal and blocked Vermaelen's empty-net shot furiously, so I suggest, next time no one should shoot forcefully, and anyone standing inside the goal must quickly lie down!
The defense achieved a long-awaited clean sheet. Gallas mainly dealt with ground balls, while Vermaelen mainly handled aerial balls, solving Stoke's through balls and hand grenades respectively. Sagna remained strong both offensively and defensively, but his crosses were fewer than usual. On the other side, Traore deserves some praise. After being mauled by the black cat and run over by the car, T30's performance today was commendable, almost shouldering all the team's crosses in attack and showing decisive footwork and rapid retreats in defense. Don't say this is Stoke, good play counts for nothing, compare it with previous games and you'll be happy. Although Almunia made three saves, none of them were particularly threatening. In contrast, Stoke's throw-ins were more dangerous, and Almunia obviously learned his lesson, rushing out to block any hand grenade heading towards the goal.
In midfield, it was a classic 4-5-1 formation, positioning hard to define, basically in the first half with Rosicky on the left, Fabregas and Denilson in the center, Nasri as the attacking midfielder, and Eboue as the free man on the right. After Bellerin came on in the second half, the left flank also became lively, and when Ramsey came on, the scene became even "chaotic." It's been three consecutive games, and Fabregas' form hasn't been at its best. If last game against Chelsea he was still active, then this game was about the same as against Sunderland, except for one assist, not that Fabregas can't perform, but his mood is too bad. Currently, what affects Fabregas' level of play is not technique, but mood. Last season I kept shouting, Nasri must move to the center, with such good passing and organizing skills, keeping him pinned on the wing is a waste. Similarly, some people play as free men in the front line and produce certain effects, what effect does Nasri produce, everyone can see clearly. Eboue's breakthrough and late insertion awareness are good, but his final pass needs improvement, panicking when bringing the ball near the penalty area. Someone says Eboue's dribbling is much better than Walcott's, I think this can't be compared, their breakthrough styles are completely different, one is "da...da...", the other is "da da da da da...da", if you can't distinguish this, please kneel in a corner and silently chant "Grandpa, Grandpa...". Rosicky's passes are still elegant, though the success rate is not high, each one is lethal if successful, so don't say Rosicky can't perform, he just knows how to protect himself after injury. If every pass becomes a threat, then we'd be watching basketball. Today I slightly defend Denilson, defensively, little Deni hasn't improved much, standing in good positions but unable to intercept the ball. But in terms of ball control, protecting the ball, and passing, Denilson has improved significantly. If you don't believe me, look at last season's Denilson and this season's Denilson before his injury, the old Deni who lost the ball with every cross, got the ball stolen when protecting it, and only knew how to pass back is now gradually able to transition the ball from the backfield to the midfield. Remember Song's first step was this aspect, now little Deni has achieved it, hoping to see more improvements in the future. Some say football relies on talent, but I counter, what about diligence compensating for lack of talent? Actually, I disagree with both points, talent and post-effort are both important, but must be based on a foundation: a good growing environment. Look at Fabregas, why is he so good now? First, he's a natural talent; second, he grew up in a good environment, with Henry leading the charge, Pires and Ljungberg guarding the flanks, and Vieira behind, with such a strong aura covering him, he dared to pass any ball; third, working hard on the basis of the first two. Saying all this, I just want to say the same applies to other Arsenal youngsters, take Bellerin and Ramsey for example, their performances in the League Cup three days ago and today's game are completely different. Although this current squad doesn't match the former golden squad, as long as the youngsters work hard, this environment is very suitable for growth. Ramsey's goal is a good proof, his late insertion awareness is strong, steady ball control, shooting when the opportunity arises, this is exactly what we lack currently. At the start of the season, regardless of distance, we shot whenever we had the chance, thinking Arsenal had finally gotten rid of the habit of not shooting. Who knew that in recent games, it's become only passing and no shooting, even Fabregas with unlimited firing rights doesn't shoot from distance anymore, this is unacceptable. Hopefully, Ramsey's long-range shot today will wake up his family.
The professor has lost confidence in Bendtner, using Tsar as a lone striker today, the result was unexpected. Both pulling back and overlapping, Tsar's ball control and distribution abilities are stronger than Bendtner's. I think the reason is Tsar's personal physical ability is stronger than Bendtner's, at least ensuring holding onto the ball, once the ball is held, making passes isn't far off. In the second half, Tsar controlled the ball with his back to the goal, although he was knocked down by the opposing defender, even falling, he still managed to pass the ball out, Tsar instantly turned into a communist warrior, sacrificing himself for the communist future, Ramsey is a fine youth, resulting in Tsar's shot exploding Stoke's hand grenade!
After watching the game, if you feel bored, let me teach you the ultimate skill of optimism, the art of self-consolation, missing single chances is fine, missing penalties is fine, not shooting is fine, all for accumulating RP for the next game against Liverpool. By then, we won't know what role Tsar will play, will he be a dictator defeating Liverpool, or a preacher of communism?
Looking at recent events, Arsenal may have won this game, but still lacks morale, the whole team just doesn't run, Fabregas gets the ball and everyone else just stands there dumbfounded, only realizing something's wrong when Fabregas gets tackled. Tsar missing two single chances also indicates a problem, a long-term goal drought has made Tsar's ability to handle scoring opportunities somewhat rusty. In the past, these two goals would have been direct powerful shots, even if dribbling, he wouldn't have over-dribbled. If all this is because of the absence of Van Persie, then I suggest the Premier League learn from the NBA, even if a player is injured, as long as they can walk, dress them in a suit and sit them on the bench, keep Van Persie's spirit alive!
Two and a half hours later, Manchester City used two £25 million players to destroy a Chelsea war machine costing £700 million built over six years (not sure about the number, Zhan Jun said it). In this light, our three points today are even more crucial. New riches replacing old riches, when everyone focuses on money, let us quietly win, quietly chase, losing four games is no big deal, lose the ones we should lose, win the ones we should win, be down-to-earth, and be content with happiness!
Related theme articles: Gunners win, professor doesn't forget the "handshake scandal"; Spanish media exposes Fabregas' decision to leave next summer; Arsenal's goal drought forces out a super Tsar.