Rising from the Shadows

The day after Louis fully integrated the [Balotelli Power Confrontation] template, the players who participated in the national team returned to Arsenal. 

For Arsenal, the good news was that Diaby was back to participate in full team training. The bad news was that Cazorla was injured. Cazorla's injury made Wenger want to rush to Del Bosque and give the Spanish national team coach a piece of his mind. When playing in big competitions like the World Cup and European Cup, the iron triangle of Habaib's three midfielders is unstoppable. When it came to the friendly warm-up match, Cazorla was brought on. As a result, when the big game came, he didn't get a chance to play for a minute and might not even be recruited. You are too unkind.

However, it is FIFA's regulation to release players to participate in national team matches on national team match days. Wenger couldn't help it either. Fortunately, Cazorla is injured and Wilshere can play. Of course, Diaby will definitely not be able to catch up with the North London derby. In Wenger's eyes, he plays a very important role as a midfield defender. Without Diaby, Arsenal's midfield defense has to drop several levels.

After the national team match day, the upcoming North London Derby was a severe test for Arsenal, who were currently at a low point in form and had two midfielders, Diaby and Cazorla, unable to play.

At the training ground at Colney Base, goalkeeper Szczesny lay on the ground. But he didn't turn around to look at the football in his own goal. Instead, he turned his head and looked outside the penalty area. His eyes looked like he had seen a ghost. The expressions of the other players were similar. Everyone looked from all directions, but there was only one person in focus: Louis, who was near the top of the penalty area. Everyone seemed to have seen a ghost.

Assistant coach Bould, who served as the interim head coach, was also stunned. He even forgot to blow the whistle.

Under everyone's gaze, Louis clenched his fists on his waist and looked up to the sky and roared. He was so excited. Of course, it had something to do with the goal he just scored on the training ground.

This is how the goal was scored: He caught the ball in the arc of the penalty area, about 40 meters away from the goal, then pushed Mertesacker away with his body, turned around suddenly, and started! Louis's sudden outburst allowed him to dribble the ball about ten meters before a defensive player hurriedly came over to cover. But right then, Louis made another move that shocked his teammates: He raised his left hand, stretched his body like a bow, and poured the power of his muscles into the instep of his right foot. 

Boom! 

A loud sound rang out in the training ground. This was a blast shot about 30 yards away from the goal! The ball was very fast and well-pressured. The improvement of Louis's basic shooting skills, coupled with the enhancement brought by [Van Persie's volley], were all reflected in this explosive shot. This was the first way Louis had thought of developing his comprehensive abilities in the past two days. 

He could not be afraid of confrontation. He also saw the discussion about him in Italy. Cassano was a big mouth, but what he said was not completely unreasonable. In modern football, the living space for Inzaghi-style opportunists is indeed becoming increasingly narrow. He could not have too much path dependence on [Inzaghi's scoring instinct module]. This success made Louis more aware of his path dependence problem. This was not the only trick in his arsenal. The goal drought in the previous four games was likely caused by his own path dependency.

Wenger on the sidelines was also quite surprised. He saw Louis's shot. This was a beautiful long shot. The momentum was strong and sinking. Although the angle was not tricky, the ball speed was fast enough. But that wasn't the only thing that really surprised Wenger. What really surprised him was the confrontation between Louis and Mertesacker. Mertesacker's confrontation ability is ranked high among Premier League center backs. Before this, Louis would most likely be knocked to the ground in such a confrontation. But just now, he not only took the initiative to seek confrontation but also used his speed to break through Mertesacker very well after the confrontation. Then he decisively kicked out outside the penalty area and hit a world wave.

"He finally started to make effective use of his body!" Wenger rubbed his hands, a little excited. "His confrontation ability is very good. It seems that we have to change his training plan again." Wenger waved his hand.

In fact, since Louis joined Arsenal, Arsenal's coaching staff has been preparing to formulate a detailed 'personal improvement training plan' for him. But the plan just couldn't keep up with the changes. Often the plan had just been sketched out, and Louis showed new abilities and new technical features. This resulted in this version of the "plan" being revised several times. But the coaches on Arsenal's coaching staff never complained about it. They wished that Louis could progress faster and faster.

Louis's progress surprised Wenger. He was now moving more and more towards the template of the modern power center that Wenger expected. At this time, the players finally reacted. Mertesacker touched his chest in surprise. Koscielny looked at his partner with doubtful eyes. The German immediately said: "Don't look at me like that, I'm not letting you down, I guarantee it!"

Other players flocked to Louis. "Your body seems to have gotten stronger?" "I haven't seen you for more than ten days, and you've grown so much. What kind of food do you eat?" "Don't talk nonsense, Louis is still growing." Everyone started to rub Louis's biceps, deltoid muscles, and even the pectoralis major if they went too far. The training ground was filled with laughter. It seemed that the haze of the previous two consecutive losses had been swept away.

Wenger was also relieved. At least the team's morale is fine for the time being. Next North London derby. The key lies in the team's offensive performance. Without Diaby, Wenger is really not very confident in the team's midfield defensive strength. Now Louis has shown some new things on the front line. This gave Wenger and his coaching staff some relief.

Arsenal players all knew that with the state Louis showed on the training ground, it was a sure thing that he'd start. But before the game, the major media's previews and forecasts were in progress. Many media speculate that Louis would lose his starting position.

[Sky Sports News] In the ninth round of predictions for the Premier League, it was also clearly stated that Louis would most likely not continue to start.

"After Arsenal suffered three consecutive defeats, in the league, Arsenal's league ranking, which scored 9 points, dropped to tenth. In the Champions League group stage, Arsenal also scored six points and ranked second. All of this has to start from Louis's misfire begins. He has suffered a goal drought for four games."

"Arsenal's adjustment in starting selection is almost a foreseeable result. Louis's characteristics are still more suitable for substitutes."

"This is not to say that there is anything wrong with Louis's ability. The key to the problem is that he is still too young."

"Maybe he's not ready for the starting job."