Chapter 85: Arsenal

In this International Champions Cup, 16 teams were invited. The 16 teams will be divided into 4 different groups. Then in the group, a match will be drawn between the clubs in the same group. Then the winners of the first match will compete against each other, while the clubs that lose in the first match will also compete against each other. After that, the club position in the group will be determined based on points, goals, and head to head.

After that, the club that is in the first position in each group will start a match against each other to determine the champion. The second-placed club in all four groups will compete for 5th-8th place. The third-placed club will compete for a 9-12th place. Likewise with the club in the fourth position.

Southampton was in group B along with Arsenal, Valencia, Juventus. Southampton will play against Arsenal, while Valencia play Juventus. If Southampton won then Southampton will play against the winner of the match between Valencia and Juventus.

In this competition, there are 3 teams from the English league, 3 teams from the Spanish league, 2 teams from the Italian league, 2 teams from the German league, 1 team from the French league, a total of 11 teams from Europe. Then there is the LA Galaxy team that competes in MLS, there is also 1 team from the Korean league and 1 team from the Japanese league, 1 team from the Brazilian league, and finally 1 team from the Argentine league. In total, there are 5 clubs from outside Europe. Even though the difference is very large, it can be said that it is natural because the European continent dominates in the league competition.

In the future, it can be said that the International Champions Cup will go bigger and bigger. This will make it easier for big clubs to find quality pre-season matches because the International Champions Cup gathered big clubs.

At the start of this season, George Eastgate tried to implement a new tactical system. With the changes that have occurred at Southampton at this time, George realized that Southampton was no longer suitable to continue to play defensively and passively. With the presence of Kazuki, Ryan, Rustan, Wright-Phillips, and Joe Bennet, Southampton's ability to attack will definitely increase. George tried to make the Southampton ability to attack as useful as possible.

For that, he tried to apply a 4-2-3-1 formation. In the plan in this formation, Simone and Rudolf will be defensive midfielders and play more backward. Then Joe Bennet will play as an attacking midfielder who is also a playmaker up front. Rustan can play as a right-winger and then Ryan can play as a left-winger.

Wright-Phillips could be a flexible replacement. He could play as a defensive midfielder, but he could also play on the left-wing. Meanwhile, Ryan could replace Joe Bennet as a playmaker and attacking midfielder.

The thing that distinguished the current tactical system and last season was the focus on the game. George is trying to make Southampton become a more active team than just reactive. He tried to apply a series of attacking tactics. In addition, he also tried to get used to the Southampton players in controlling the ball.

The new tactical system certainly required adaptation. The first test for this new tactical system was Arsenal. Although Arsenal may only field a second-tier team, Southampton must play seriously. George's targets in the match against Arsenal was didn't lose in possession ball or shot on target.

***

The match between Southampton and Arsenal has officially started. Arsenal fielded a team full of young players and also some new signings. No arsenal star dropped in this match. Kazuki could understand that because only one or two of Arsenal's star players were attending the pre-season event at this time.

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Even so, Southampton must take this match seriously. Arsenal is Arsenal, whoever plays for them. This match will be the first try to see if George Eastgate's new tactical system could work or not.

Meanwhile, on the Southampton side, Hugo who will soon be moving was not present, then Simone, Hilton, Okhalo, and Dean Smith were also still not present. He didn't play Freddy in this match, and neither did Kounde. Southampton also actually did not field their main player in this match.

Arsenal started the first half kick-off. Solid individual collaboration and good playing skills had always been Arsenal's hallmark. The tactical system arranged by Arsene Winters looks the same as before. It was quite easy for Arsenal to take control of the game early in the match as their opponents, Southampton, still have adapted to their new tactical system.

Both teams played quite openly. Southampton was also brave in attacking Arsenal's defense. Even though it was only a pre-season match, the spectators who attended the stadium were quite entertained by this match.

Most of the audience were Americans who just want to see entertainment. They were not supporting Southampton or Arsenal. Therefore, they cheer for both teams whenever the opportunity arises.

In the 38th minute, Southampton scored the first goal. The goal came through counter-pressing that Southampton did immediately after they lost the ball. Bennet managed to snatch the ball from one of Arsenal's players. After that, he sent a long pass to the right of the field. Rustan who was in an onside position immediately ran to bring the ball into the penalty box.

The arsenal center-back tried to stop Rustan but the Southampton right-winger turned the ball 90° and sent a straight pass towards Kazuki. Kazuki received the ball and dribbled it to the right of the goalpost. It also makes the goalkeeper move to the right. Then Kazuki sent a pass to the left. Ryan, who was not guarded by Arsenal players easily sent the ball into the net.

Southampton scored a goal. The goal was the only goal that was created in the first half. The match in the first half was quite exciting, but both Arsenal and Southampton often lost the ball in the middle of the field so that the shots on target of both teams were only 3 to 4. Arsenal managed to get 4 shots on target, but the quality of their shots was too poor.

There are no restrictions on substitutions so that in the second half both teams replaced a number of personnel. The reason was to see the performance of all players. The coach needs to see how the old and new players perform against the tactical system he had designed. This can make it easier for the coach to determine the main players when the season starts.

One of the substitutions was to withdraw Ryan and replace him with Wright-Phillips. Meanwhile, Arsenal also included Theo Wallcot in the second half. Wallcot was one of the main Arsenal players present at this pre-season event.

The second half began with a kick-off by Southampton. In the second half, Arsenal dominated again. The entry of Theo Wallcot made Arsenal's attack even more dangerous.. Fortunately, Southampton's counter-attack was no less dangerous.

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