Chapter 735 - 135: 3-Game Winning Streak! Unstoppable! Shocking Blowout! Overwhelming Victory! Top-Tier Defensive Midfielder and Winter Break Signings!

Hazard made a rapid overlapping run down the left flank, carrying the ball all the way to the left corner of Sunderland’s penalty area before squaring it to Wang Shuo on the left side of the penalty arc.

Taking the ball in stride with the inside of his right foot, Wang Shuo spun, cut inside to the Arc Top District, and unleashed a powerful right-footed volley.

Empowered by [Domain Skills: Blasters], the ball rocketed forward like a cannonball, searing into the right side of Sunderland’s net at breakneck speed. Goalkeeper Mignolet didn’t even have time to react.

1-0!

Even more outrageously, in the eleventh minute of the first half, after a failed breakthrough attempt on the left wing, Hazard passed the ball back to the midfielders to reset the attack.

Receiving a switch from Arteta, Alexandre Song executed a chipped pass directly to the right side of the Arc Top District.

With his back to the goal, Wang Shuo controlled the ball with his chest and volleyed a flick right over center-back Brown. He then spun around, surged into the right side of the penalty area, and met the dropping ball with a thunderous strike.

2-0!

A brace!

In just eleven minutes from kickoff, Arsenal had scored twice in quick succession!

"I have to say, Arsenal at home is truly an unstoppable force!" the commentator remarked. "Their offense is absolutely ferocious. And in this match, we can see that the Gunners’ entire midfield and defense are performing exceptionally well, denying Sunderland any real chances."

In the second half, Wenger began making substitutions, saving his players’ energy for the mid-week Champions League away game against Naples. However, in the seventy-second minute, shortly after Wang Shuo was subbed off, the team earned a free kick in the attacking half. Rosicky stepped up and curled a direct free kick straight through Sunderland’s goal.

3-0!

Ultimately, the Gunners comfortably dismantled the Black Cats of Sunderland on their home turf.

Elsewhere in this round of fixtures, Liverpool drew 2-2 with Manchester United at home, with Van Persie scoring a brace. Manchester City crushed Aston Villa 4-1 at home, while Chelsea defeated Everton 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur took the lead twice on the road, only to be equalized twice by Newcastle, ending the match in a 2-2 draw.

Following this round, Manchester City sat atop the Premier League table with seven wins and one draw. Manchester United trailed in third with six wins and two draws, while Arsenal, boasting six wins and one loss, overtook them to claim second place. Chelsea trailed closely behind Manchester United with nineteen points in fourth place. As for the rest of the pack—teams like Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur—a widening point gap already separated them from the top four.

Among those top four, the most astonishing and baffling team was undoubtedly Arsenal. They were an unstoppable juggernaut at home, yet their away games were heart-stopping thrillers.

Only the Gunners could pull off such a season!

***

Their league form bled over into the Champions League.

During their mid-week away clash against Naples, Arsenal found themselves up against a potent attacking combination featuring Cavani, Lavezzi, Hamsik, and Inler. Bolstered by Mazzarri’s 3-4-3 formation, both sides immediately plunged into a blazing-fast, end-to-end battle from the opening whistle.

Speed against speed, attack against attack, press against press. It was a no-frills, bare-knuckle shootout. The only things that mattered were offensive firepower, sheer morale, and relentless pressing!

Just two minutes into the match, Arsenal’s very first shot of the game shattered Naples’ goal.

Spearheading a rapid counterattack after an interception, Alexandre Song—who had been a standout in the league—distributed the ball to the right flank. Lichsteiner surged forward at top speed and delivered a cross to the edge of the penalty area.

Wang Shuo charged in, cleanly controlling the pass with the inside of his left foot. Planting his feet firmly, he fluidly unleashed a fierce right-footed strike. The transition from his first touch to the shot was a single, seamless motion, leaving the Naples defenders absolutely zero time to react. The ball tore into the net at blinding speed.

1-0!

However, just before the end of the first half, Naples launched a rapid counterattack of their own. Maggio made a blistering run down the right flank, slipping behind Arsenal’s left-back to whip a cross into the goalmouth. Outjumping Koscielny, Cavani powered a header past the goalkeeper.

1-1!

The cost of such an all-out offensive battle was that both teams were battered and bruised. Yet, a mere three minutes into the second half, Hazard dribbled down the left wing, executed a sharp breakthrough cut inside, and earned a free kick just outside the penalty area.

Wang Shuo calmly stepped up to take it. With a brilliant flick of his right foot, he curled the ball toward the near post. It sailed perfectly into the top right corner of the net.

2-1!

That scoreline held until the final whistle! The Gunners secured a 2-1 away victory against Naples, comfortably clutching their third consecutive win in the group stage!

***

At noon on October 23rd, during the ninth round of the Premier League, Arsenal hosted Stoke City at home.

Squad rotation did nothing to dampen Arsenal’s combat effectiveness—especially on their home turf. When a team has an established tactical system, a relatively stable roster, and players all pushing in the same direction, rotation rarely causes major disruptions. This was particularly true for Arsenal in their current form.

After all, when one door closes, another opens. This time, it was Aaron Ramsey who stepped up to the plate.

In the fifteenth minute, just as everyone from Stoke City was secretly congratulating themselves for successfully defending the opening blitz, Aaron Ramsey launched a thirty-meter lobbed pass over the top, sending the ball straight into the penalty area.

Wang Shuo perfectly timed his run to beat the offside trap. Bursting into the box, he turned his body and controlled the ball with his chest, cushioning it toward the left side of the penalty spot. He immediately chased it down and, beating Begovic to the punch, swept a left-footed shot into the back of the net.

1-0!

The Gunners maintained their relentless early offensive, their confidence only swelling after taking the lead. In the twenty-second minute, Hazard drove the ball down the left wing and into the box, effortlessly slipping past two defenders before suddenly cutting it back to the edge of the penalty area.