"gratutions, Gao!"

  When the German referee Stark blew the whistle to end the game, Wenger walked to the visiting team's coag bench with a dejected expression. He shook hands with Gao Shen and offered his gratutions.

  Looking baow, Wenger finally uood the purpose behind Gao Shen's high-profile remarks before the match.

  This kid was ing!

  Refleg on it, Wenger had to admit that Gao Shen's expertly executed psychological warfare had caught everyo Arsenal pletely off guard.

  Over the past few years, Arsenal had been painfully aware of the external criticism directed at the team. Everyohin the club was frustrated by it.

  But there wasn't much they could do. The club cked financial resources, and no one could fually ge the current situation.

  If it had been Ferguson from Maer United, or an oppo from Chelsea or Liverpool, making such remarks, Arsenal might have just tolerated it. But the fact that the provocations came from Gao Shen at Napoli—that was too much.

  Arsenal may have struggled i years, but they hadn't fallen so far as to be bullied by a Serie A team.

  And don't fet: Arsenal's financial revenue was among the best in European football.

  What? Did Gao Shen think he could step on a deing Serie A team for clout?

  So, when the game began, Arsenal's pyers lost trol of their emotions.

  Wenger's tactics had issues too, but his hands were tied.

  The departures of Gilberto Silva and Fmini had dealt a severe blow to Arsenal, especially Fmini's exit.

  The French midfielder had been a key pyer st season, one whom Wenger had nurtured for four years. While Fmini's development hadn't been overly costly, Wenger had ied signifit effort into his growth. Fmini had pyed superbly.

  But in the end, there was nothing Arsenal could do. Fmini's heart wasn't with the club. Arsenal couldn't meet his sary demands or offer him what he wanted, so he left on a free trao A.

  With Fmini gone, Wenger had no choice but to promote Song, a pyer who previously couldn't even make the starting lineup.

  Song's progress had been impressive, and his performances were solid. But in terms of overall ability, he wasn't yet stable or experienced enough and had obvious shortings.

  For example, in this match, he couldn't tain Napoli in midfield and was frequently out of position.

  "There were signs of this happening a long time ago," Wenger said bitterly, refleg ouation.

  Standing beside him, Gao Shen couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

  Everyone knew about Wenger's challenges. Even for Arsenal, it wasn't easy to pete on three fronts with such a lineup and figuration this season.

  Who could demand more from Wenger?

  "It's 2–2 in Maer," Wenger said, "but if nothing ued happens, you'll face the old man in the semi-finals. Be careful, Maer United is very strong this year, especially after the winter break."

  As he spoke, Wenger let out a long sigh.

  "Maer United before Christmas and Maer United after the winter break are practically two different teams. The tter is the truly terrifying Red Devils."

  Gao Shen uood that Wenger was him a warning.

  In a way, it was an early cession of defeat. But Gao Shen couldn't afford to let his guard down.

  After all, in the Champions League final of 2005, Liverpool had overturned a three-goal deficit in the first half. Who could guarahat Arsenal couldn't overturn a foal deficit in y minutes?

  As long as they found an opening and Napoli made a mistake, Arsenal's offensive firepower made such a sario possible.

  "I've always wao face Sir Alex Ferguson," Gao Shen said with a smile.

  Wenger gave Gao Shen a long, thoughtful look before shaking his head with a proud smirk. "You're just like him—ing and not a good person."

  Gao Shen ughed. He took Wenger's ent as a pliment, even a form of praise.

  But Wenger's warning was valid.

  Ferguson's teams were experts at ebacks.

  This season's Premier League rime example. Before Christmas, Maer United had only mahird pce after 19 matches. But sihe winter break, they had overtaken both Liverpool and Chelsea to lead the standings by a fortable four points.

  Ferguson's teams had an uny ability to hit their stride after the winter break.

  Even more remarkable was Ferguson's adaptability in managing his squad.

  Gao Shen thought of a term: "The Ever-ging Demon Lord."

  Ferguson was capable of stantly adjusting his lineups and tactics. He could ge pyer positions from game to game or even within a match.

  The key was that he could still win while doing so.

  While Benítez was infamous for using over 20 different starting lineups in as many games, Ferguson wasn't far behind in his flexibility.

  Wenger's reminder wasn't wrong—Ferguson was not someoo be uimated.

  "Professor, how about we make a deal?" Gao Shen suddenly suggested with a grin.

  "What kind of deal?" Wenger asked curiously.

  "If—just if—I lead my team to the Champions League final, you have to e watd celebrate that I helped you eliminate Ferguson."

  Wenger burst out ughing. He truly wao crack open Gao Shen's head to see what kind of strange ideas were floating around inside.

  "Fine," Wenger said. "But what if you lose?"

  "Then you'll treat me to a nice meal to e," Gao Shen joked.

  Even though Wenger was in a sour mood after the defeat, he couldn't help but ugh again. "Why do I feel like you're just angling for a free meal?"

  Gao Shen shrugged ily. "What I say? I might be out of a job soon."

  "Alright, I'll treat you," Wenger agreed with a chuckle.

  ---

  "Overall, the game was quite banced and intehe gap wasn't as wide as the score suggests."

  At the post-match press ference, Gao Shen praised Wenger and Arsenal, emphasizing their resiliend calling them admirable oppos. He even warhat Napoli o remain cautious in the sed leg.

  Gao Shen also addressed the score disparity, attributing it to Arsenal's overly aggressive style of py, which had exposed their vulnerabilities during transitioween offense and defense.

  Regarding his pre-match remarks about "showing the world how to beat Arsenal," Gao Shen crified that his words had been misuood. He even offered an apology to Wenger and Arsenal.

  There was o gloat after a victory, especially since Wenger had agreed to treat him to a meal. Gao Shen saw no reason to burn bridges and preferred to leave some goodwill for future enters.

  In the end, Gao Shen admitted that his pre-matents were part of a psychological strategy.

  At the press ference, Wenger aowledged Napoli's superiority.

  "We were beaten by a stroeam," Wenger said.

  He praised Napoli's speed and effi terattacks, admitting that they had dealt devastating blows to Arsenal.

  "Our midfield was out of trol, and this is something we o address urgently," Wenger added.

  As for the sed leg, Wenger said he wasn't overthinking it. "We'll focus on pying well. From now on, there's no room for error."

  ---

  News of Napoli's 4–0 demolition of Arsenal spread quickly around the world.

  At the same time, Maer United drew 2–2 with Porto at Old Trafford.

  The results meant that Napoli had one foot in the semi-finals, while Porto had gained a signifit advah two away goals.

  British media heavily criticized Arsenal's and Maer United's performances, particurly Arsenal's. Many outlets cimed that Wenger's team had pletely lost its petitiveness in the Champions League.

  Even in the Premier League, Arsenal seemed limited to merely fighting for a top-four spot.

  The Times described Wenger's team as g ambition.

  Meanwhile, Gao Shen once again dominated global headlines. From leading a newly promoted team to secutive league titles to guiding Napoli through the Champions League's group of death aing both Chelsea and Arsenal, Gao Shen's aplishments were nothing short of remarkable.

  Napoli's 4–0 win at the Emirates showcased their strength. On defehey had been fwless, while their front trident and midfielders, particurly Rakitic, were firing on all ders.

  Napoli was now seen as the ultimate dark horse in this season's Champions League.

  But Gao Shehe road ahead was steep. If Maer United advanced, he would face the stro Red Devils team in years, led by the ever-uable Ferguson.

  Yet, befao Shen could foaer United, something ued happened.

  The day after the Arsenal match, Gao Shen received a call from a stranger.

  What was surprising wasn't just the call, it was the purpose behind it.

  The stranger wao give Gao Shen money.

  And not just a small amount.

  This was truly ued.