August 28th, the final match of the opening month of the 11-12 season has arrived.
The match between Manchester United at Old Trafford against Arsenal will kick off promptly at 3:30 p.m. this day.
Philip woke up this morning at a hotel in the center of Manchester and keenly felt the tense atmosphere and pressure of this match.
"Glory Glory Man United.....! Glory Glory Man United.....!!" The faint chants ca from outside the window, mixed with fireworks and clapping sounds.
He went to the window and opened it, hearing even more chaotic noises, whistling, beating of drums, and people on rooftops cursing.
It seed that a hundred Manchester United fans learned where they were staying and ca here specifically to protest.
"Fortunately, they didn't set off fireworks while we were sleeping."
Beside him, roommate rtesacker yawned with slight relief, indicating that even Manchester United's die-hard fans had so boundaries.
"Are you nervous?" Philip asked, pulling the window closed again, "Playing against Manchester United might just be your Premier League debut."
"A little bit."
rtesacker nodded as he put on his clothes, "They are one of the top teams in Europe, with the best strikers. It's definitely going to be tough fighting them.
"However..... In the pre-match analysis eting, when Coach Philippe described the traits of their forward players, I found these types of attacking players relatively easier to defend against.
"Compared to them, I dread facing soone like you with monstrous physical stats."
"Haha... that's repelling like forces." Philip chuckled a few tis, dressing up and heading with rtesacker to the hotel cafeteria for breakfast prepared by the club's chef.
After breakfast, they rested for about half an hour before boarding the bus to Old Trafford for a field practice.
"Champione... champione...!!"
Unexpectedly, many Manchester United fans were already at Old Trafford, glaring at the bus, raising their hands as they sang the team's third anthem with astonishing montum.
"Do they think they have us?" Van Persie looked outside the window and joked by shaking his head.
"Let's make them regret it."
Although Philip still had so concerns, having co this far, there was nothing to fear. It was just a matter of putting all his efforts into the fight.
This ti with Arteta and rtesacker, along with him..... and a more cohesive Arsenal, with greater morale and confidence!
He couldn't believe that they couldn't cause trouble for Manchester United away and lose in that manner.
"By the way." Van Persie caught sight of a mischievous idea forming in Philip's mind and turned to him, "In the match that ended this morning, Manchester City beat Tottenham Hotspur 5-1.
"Dzeko scored four goals, making it six goals in the Premier League already. Do you think he will be my competition for the Golden Boot Award this season?"
"Why ask ?"
Philip smiled, inquiring after realizing the other was teasing him, "Do you an you've already assud you'll be the team's top scorer this season?
"Hold on..... Robin, better to say sothing like that after you've scored more goals than next ti."
Players inside the bus smiled, though none of them could join in such conversations since they didn't score much.
Philip didn't continue the chat with Van Persie, as they soon arrived at the side entrance of Old Trafford, entering through the side passage into the stadium, seeing this historic arena.
It's a large stadium sowhat similar to Emirates Stadium, with a dominant red color base, seating with the white-lettered 'Manchester United' team na, and a grass field with stripes of dark green and light green interspersed.
Sir Ferguson, from here, claid 12 top league titles and 2 Champions League titles, achieving great success!
This was Philip's first ti visiting here, naturally feeling a unique sensation.
He could sense the weight and glory of this stadium.
Scanning the field, the iconic monts from over the past decade seed to replay vividly, legends having walked right beside him.
Currently, Philip's experience regarding these top-level venues was quite limited.
Apart from Newcastle's and Udinese's ho grounds, and Arsenal's ho Emirates Stadium, he hasn't been to many large stadiums.
The journey ahead is long..... In this lifeti, he must travel to the world's famous elite sports stadiums, leaving his story in each venue!
After training, a journalist chased after Philip on the sidelines while asking, "Does Arsenal have the confidence to take points away from Old Trafford? Do you want to score here?"
Philip initially didn't want to answer these two questions but hesitated and turned back when entering the exit tunnel.
He took the microphone and spoke into the cara, "The team is in great form and very confident. Of course, I'd like to score here, that's it."
......
At 3:15 p.m., the players from both teams, after warming up on the field, returned to the locker room for final preparations and adjustnts.
"Glory Glory Man United.....!!"
"Aaahh... Oh... Arsenal....!!"
Old Trafford was gradually heating up, with more than seventy thousand fans pouring into the stadium, turning it into a sea of red, as fans sang loudly, awaiting the start of the match.
In Arsenal's dressing room, Wenger was making the final arrangents and adjustnts against Manchester United's lineup.
He took this match very seriously. His rivalry with Ferguson had lasted over a decade; Arsenal had ended Manchester United's consecutive wins, while Manchester United had ended their 49-match unbeaten streak.
Naturally, the two clubs were sworn rivals, and whenever they clashed, it promised to be an intense battle.
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