Football: My AI System Provides Max-Level Predictions

Chapter 563 - 386: Apart from smoke bombs and public opinion offensives, there are also secret tactics—Wenger makes bold innovations!

Facing Manchester City, in order to win the English League Cup and fulfill the season’s initial flag to the world, Professor Wenger had to bring out his ace tactics from the chest.

This tactical trick is a secret weapon that has been secretly rehearsed at Arsenal’s training base, and it’s a tactical innovation by Professor Wenger, cultivated over many years of coaching.

However, since it’s an ace tactic, it cannot be easily shown to others.

Besides, as a veteran, Professor Wenger also employed some conventional means to exert pressure on Manchester City!

At the pre-match press conference, when a reporter asked what strategy Arsenal would use to defeat the strong Manchester City, Professor Wenger naturally wouldn’t reveal a single true word.

No coach would disclose their secret tactics before a match.

But having coached Arsenal for many years, Professor Wenger was adept at using tricks during pre-match press conferences.

He first threw out a smoke bomb.

Arsenal’s tall striker, the team’s top scorer Giroud, had missed the squad for two consecutive matches.

He previously injured his ankle when landing awkwardly during a confrontation, hence his absence.

When a reporter asked if Giroud would appear in the English League Cup final, Professor Wenger’s face immediately turned stern, his eyes filled with regret and unwillingness.

"You’re asking about Giroud’s situation?"

"In fact, I care about this gentleman more than anyone else present here. He is the team’s top scorer and can play a pivotal role on the pitch, contributing significantly to the attack. He is our core player."

"But as you’ve seen, he hasn’t been included in the team’s starting list for two consecutive rounds and hasn’t trained with the team recently."

"However, his ankle injury has somewhat improved. I will put him on the substitute bench, but he won’t start against a team like Manchester City. I have to deploy a fully recovered starting lineup; putting Giroud on at this moment is too risky."

Upon hearing Professor Wenger say that Giroud cannot start, the local London media supporting Arsenal sighed collectively.

Initially, with Arsenal’s overall team strength being at a gap compared to Manchester City, everyone thought Giroud’s ankle injury could recover in time to face Manchester City. But according to Wenger’s recent comments, doubts remained about whether Giroud could even be a substitute.

The Times’ reporter asked Wenger, since Giroud isn’t on the field, who would be Arsenal’s most advantageous attacking point.

Wenger’s eyes lit up, his face showing confidence and pride.

"Giroud’s absence due to injury is a huge loss for us, but fortunately, don’t forget the role of Sanchez in the team."

"Sanchez is a great player; his dribbling, passing, and teamwork awareness are definitely among the top three in the entire Premier League."

"He has already scored 12 league goals and provided 6 assists for the team. In Giroud’s absence, I believe Sanchez will take on the responsibility of scoring."

"Saying this won’t put pressure on Sanchez; he’s a mature player who knows how to convert pressure into power under heavy pressure."

Sanchez was sitting beside Wenger, attending the pre-match press conference together.

When he heard Wenger praising him like this and saw all the reporters’ eyes fixed solely on him, Sanchez smiled humbly, his tone gentle but carrying undeniable firmness.

"Thanks to Professor Wenger for his praise. As a player, I’ve always considered myself a warrior. I will fight with the team until the last minute of the 90 minutes and have confidence in leading the team to defeat Manchester City, securing Arsenal’s first trophy of the season."

After the smoke bomb, Professor Wenger picked up the microphone.

Although there was no manuscript on his desk, the following speech of over 1,000 words had long been drafted overnight, memorized thoroughly, just waiting to be eloquently delivered at the pre-match press conference one day before the game.

Professor Wenger expressed his dissatisfaction with the Premier League’s hasty abandonment of a deeper investigation into Manchester City’s violent incident.

He believed such an investigation was too perfunctory, and the results had not reached a convincing level, remaining questionable.

He especially emphasized that the Premier League should re-initiate the investigation into the violent incident involving Tang Long and Fernando. Until the investigation results reached a level convincing to all, these two players should stay away from the pitch.

"Opposing pitch violence, domestic violence, racial equality, and resistance to injustice represent the spirit of Premier League football."

"Our football cannot exist separate from these; we cannot stand alone."

"Tang’s ability to still appear on the field at this time represents disrespect for the spirit of football. If he comes to shake my hand before the match, I would refuse to shake his hand. I don’t want to stand on the same ground with a player lacking sportsmanship."

"Here, I solemnly call on the Premier League to quickly initiate a renewed investigation into Tang Long’s violent incident!"

Wenger’s speech one day before the match stirred up a storm across the British Isles.

This old issue’s revival exerted considerable pressure on the entire Manchester City team from the media perspective.

Traditional right-wing media, Manchester City’s rival ’Daily Telegraph’, immediately published on the front page, claiming Premier League investigators must have privately accepted bribes from Manchester City Club, which led to the speedy conclusion of this violent incident’s investigation.

’Daily Telegraph’ also stated that Manchester City fundamentally lacks the gentlemanly spirit inherent in British football, turning a century-old gentlemanly sport into a naked transaction of money.

"Now, the grass at the Etihad Stadium is not watered by rainwater but by oil!"

"It is no exaggeration to say that every blade of grass there is stained with the smell of Middle Eastern oil money!"

"This club doesn’t understand what friendship, respect, unity, and progress mean!"

"They are a bunch of mercenaries, gathered for money, willing to kill each other for money!"

"If such a club can ultimately win the Premier League, it would be a huge disgrace to the sport!"

"We urge that Premier League football should be a sport belonging to the people of England. We should drive these foreign investors away!"

"In order to restore the purest essence of this sport, we hope everyone with voting rights will cast your precious vote for Brexit!"

...

Meanwhile, at Arsenal’s secretive and tense training ground, an unprecedented tactical system is quietly taking shape.

It’s tightly wrapped under a veil of mystery, so even the closest team reporters have no chance to see it.

"Yes, like that, pay attention to your positioning, pay attention to your movement, good!"

Even though the local temperature in London is only 6 degrees, Wenger has taken off his cotton jacket, wearing only a short-sleeve shirt, shouting loudly.

Steam rises from his head, and sweat of excitement beads on his forehead, he doesn’t feel cold at all.

In recent matches, there is a new development in Arsenal’s training.

That is, it is no longer open to the media!

Even the internal photographers of Arsenal are not allowed to film, so their official website hasn’t uploaded training photos for a long time.

The expressions on the players’ faces have gradually shifted from initial confusion to incredible excitement, as if they are standing at the forefront of football strategy innovation.

Giroud’s eyes widened, his mouth slightly open, as if still unable to believe what just happened.

He muttered to himself, "This... this is simply unbelievable, how did the professor come up with such a crazy idea?"

His eyes were full of amazement, his mind continually replaying the scenes during the drills.

"Haha, we’ve never played like this, but it feels like a tailor-made weapon for the match."

Midfielder Ramsey’s voice trembled a bit, clearly this tactical power exceeded his expectations!

Welbeck, the English forward known for his speed and agility, after completing a goal-front breakthrough, had a child-like smile on his face.

He patted a teammate’s shoulder next to him, laughed and said, "Guys, this feels like we’ve got our own secret weapon on the field, the opponents won’t be able to guess our next move!" His eyes were full of anticipation for the upcoming match.

Koscielny, the pillar of Arsenal’s defense, after rounds of simulated defensive practice, took a deep breath.

"This tactic... is too cunning! But if according to English referees’ scale of judgment, eight out of ten won’t call a foul, what a good strategy!"

During the practical drills, Ospina, acting as the substitute goalkeeper for the imaginary opposition, had his goal repeatedly breached.

He kept shaking his head, with a slightly bitter smile on his face, yet it couldn’t hide his admiration.

"I’ve never seen such a tactic. If this is used in the English League Cup final, Manchester City will definitely be caught off guard, the professor is going big!"

He said this while excitedly waving his arms, as if already seeing the shocked expressions on the Manchester City players’ faces during the final.

At the coaching bench, Arsenal’s coaching team was equally stunned by the spectacle.

The members of the coaching staff surrounded Wenger, starting discussions one after another.

Assistant coach Bold, full of smiles, kept applauding, "Boss, the effect of this tactic is stunning! If the players can execute perfectly, we absolutely have a chance to create miracles."

And Professor Wenger himself stood at the center of the field.

His arms crossed in front of his chest, with a barely noticeable smile on his face, a smile filled with confidence in the impending tactical achievement.

He occasionally nodded, suggesting minor adjustments to some details, but more so, he was enjoying the tactical miracle created through collective team effort.

"Remember, young lads," Wenger said during a brief tactical explanation gap, "this is our secret, it’s the surprise we’ve prepared for the English League Cup final. Maintain this mystery until the whistle of the match sounds. Let the world see that Arsenal not only has tradition but also has innovation!"

After the drill in training, Professor Wenger was very satisfied with this tactical approach.

The goal efficiency was extremely high, and it had a very unpredictable and sudden nature, making it hard for the drill opponents on the defensive side.

This newly practiced tactic has never been shown to anyone, nor has it been executed in a Premier League match.

But Professor Wenger is full of confidence about it.

He is determined to unveil this tactical approach in the English League Cup final against Manchester City and amaze everyone!

It’s not unused, just not the right time yet!