Chapter 799: Last-Minute Winner! Slaughtering Manchester United! Historic Transfer! God-Like Wang Shuo! Ferguson, Wake Up!

In terms of possession, Arsenal held 56.3% of the ball compared to Manchester United’s mere 43.7%.

Coupled with the lopsided 5-0 scoreline, The Times considered this a fresh scar for Manchester United.

“While the shadow of their disastrous 1-6 defeat to Manchester City has yet to fully dissipate, this 0-5 thrashing at the hands of Arsenal has inflicted a new scar on the Red Demon,” the newspaper wrote.

The Times noted that from the two sides’ starting lineups alone, it was evident Manchester United held absolutely no advantage. From the forwards and midfielders to the defenders and even the goalkeeper, Manchester United was completely outclassed in every aspect of the game.

“Ferguson, wake up!

“If you don’t buy new players soon, Manchester United will never win a championship again!”

By buying new players, The Times wasn’t referring to attacking options, but rather holding midfielders and defenders.

“The whole world knows that Manchester United’s holding midfielder position is a glaring issue. Carrick alone simply cannot shoulder the burden for an entire season, and the defense is even weaker.

“Yet, Ferguson stubbornly refused to bring in any top-tier talents!”

Manchester United’s spending was actually far from meager. Phil Jones had cost 16.5 million British Pounds, and Ashley Jan had cost 16 million British Pounds. Adding in De Gea and Van Persie, Manchester United’s overall investment was quite substantial. However, when it came to spending transfer funds on the holding midfielders and defenders they so desperately needed, Ferguson appeared exceptionally stingy.

“This 5-0 loss is the price Manchester United is paying for their failed transfer policy!”

The Times stated that when Manchester United fielded a center-back pairing of Evans and Smalling alongside a midfield duo of Carrick and Giggs, the first thought on everyone’s mind was, “They won’t be able to stop Wang Shuo at all!”

“And facts have proven just that—Manchester United’s defense was completely shredded by Wang Shuo!”

During the post-match press conference, Ferguson argued that the primary reason for the defeat was Manchester United’s ongoing injury crisis. But could that really serve as an excuse? Manchester United’s glaring weaknesses in several key positions hadn’t just appeared overnight.

“It is abundantly clear that Manchester United’s squad needs reinforcements.

“However, with only ten days left before the winter transfer window closes, Ferguson still hasn’t made any indication of signing new players, even after this crushing defeat to Arsenal.

“This inevitably leaves people worried about Manchester United’s prospects in the second half of the season!”

***

A hat-trick and two assists!

The report card Wang Shuo delivered on Lunar New Year’s Eve not only earned him immense praise from media and fans worldwide but also sparked fervent discussions and jubilant celebrations among fans back in China.

“The God-like Wang Shuo!”

This was the front-page headline of China’s most authoritative sports publication. The publication also featured a photo of Wang Shuo lifting his jersey after scoring, revealing an undershirt that read: “Good Luck in the Year of the Dragon.”

“Wang Shuo gifts fans in his homeland a New Year’s present with a hat-trick and two assists!” the article read.

Other media outlets revealed that by the following morning, the online view count for the highlight reel of Wang Shuo’s hat-trick had astonishingly surpassed that of Liu Qian’s magic show on the Spring Festival Gala. Both events had taken place around the same time.

“But judging by the subsequent online click rates, Wang Shuo’s goals were even more popular!”

Meanwhile, in the 22nd round of the Premier League, Manchester City secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Balotelli scored the game-winning goal for Manchester City in the dying moments of stoppage time.

Liverpool’s slump continued as they suffered a 1-3 away loss to Bolton. Chelsea, on the other hand, played out a 0-0 away draw against Norwich.

As a result, Arsenal now boasted a record of eighteen wins, two draws, and two losses over twenty-two rounds, amassing fifty-six points. Manchester City sat in second place with fifty-two points. Manchester United remained in third with forty-eight points. Currently holding the fourth spot was Tottenham Hotspur, with forty-three points.

Looking at the current standings, the title race was becoming increasingly clear. Although Ferguson repeatedly emphasized post-match that Manchester United hadn’t lost hope of winning the championship, a glance at the leaderboard showed that a comeback was highly unlikely. Tottenham Hotspur had essentially lost all hope.

Barring any surprises, the most promising contenders for the title this season were Arsenal and Manchester City. As for the battle for fourth place, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Newcastle all still had a fighting chance. Liverpool, sitting on merely thirty-two points, had fallen a bit too far behind.

***

Unhindered by League Cup obligations, Arsenal enjoyed a week of rest after completing the 22nd round of the Premier League. The weekend soon brought the fourth round of the FA Cup, where the Gunners hosted Aston Villa at home.

Given the nature of the FA Cup and their home-field advantage, Arsenal opted for a rotated lineup. Key starters, including Wang Shuo, were left on the bench.

As a result, the Gunners played an absolute mess of a first half, conceding two goals in succession. The first came from a corner kick, with opposition center-back Dunn scoring. Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, a rapid counterattack finished by Darren Bent breached Fabianski’s goal once again.

Left with no other choice, Wenger was forced to make substitutions in the second half. In the sixtieth minute, Wang Shuo was brought onto the pitch. Just four minutes later, off a brilliant pass from Ramsey, Wang Shuo found the back of the net.

1-2!

In the sixty-seventh minute, Wang Shuo assisted Walcott for another goal, leveling the score!

In a mere seven minutes, Wang Shuo had single-handedly helped the team tie the game! This earned him a roaring ovation from the Emirates Stadium.

However, it also made it crystal clear to everyone just how increasingly dependent Arsenal had become on Wang Shuo for goals. After all, Chamak couldn’t seem to score no matter how hard he tried after coming onto the pitch.

Then, in the seventy-first minute, latching onto a long pass from Koscielny, Wang Shuo scored on a one-on-one breakaway, locking the final scoreline at 3-2!

“Wang Shuo’s sheer intimidation factor is just too powerful!”