Chapter 60: 57. Againts QPR PT.3
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As the match continue, the tension at the Emirates was palpable. Arsenal pressed relentlessly, determined to secure the win, while QPR fought valiantly, sensing an opportunity to snatch a point. Francesco's tireless work on the flank continued to inspire, his pace and creativity a constant threat to QPR's defense. Wenger, pacing the sideline, urged his team to stay composed and finish clinically. The crowd's energy never wavered, roaring with every Arsenal attack. Despite QPR's spirited resistance, Arsenal's cohesion and quality ultimately shone through, reminding everyone why they were among the league's most formidable sides. Victory felt inevitable.
The game entered the 59th minute, and the Emirates was a cauldron of noise, urging Arsenal to find the third goal that would restore their cushion. The players, fueled by the unrelenting energy of their supporters, worked tirelessly to regain control. It was Francesco who took center stage again, showcasing why he was already becoming a fan favorite despite his youth.
Picking up the ball deep on the right flank, Francesco began his charge. Armand Traore, tasked with containing him all evening, was visibly struggling. Fatigue weighed heavy on the fullback's legs, and Francesco could sense it. With a burst of pace, he surged forward, his quick feet dancing over the ball. Traore lunged in, desperate to stop him, but Francesco deftly sidestepped the challenge, leaving the defender in his wake.
The crowd roared as Francesco advanced down the wing, the ball glued to his feet. Ahead of him, Nedum Onuoha moved across, attempting to close him down. The QPR center-back was no slouch, his physical presence a formidable barrier. But Francesco, with his sharp footballing brain, didn't rush. He slowed his pace slightly, drawing Onuoha toward him. With a quick glance, Francesco scanned the field, searching for his next move.
And then he saw it—Thomas Rosicky, positioned just outside the box, unmarked. The veteran midfielder, known for his ability to strike the ball cleanly from range, had drifted into space, unnoticed by the QPR defense. Francesco's decision was instant.
With precision and composure, he delivered a low, driven pass across the edge of the penalty area. The ball zipped past Onuoha, perfectly weighted to land at Rosicky's feet. The Czech international, reading the play brilliantly, adjusted his stance as the ball approached. Time seemed to pause for a moment as he struck it with his right foot.
The shot was a thing of beauty—powerful, accurate, and unstoppable. It arrowed toward the top corner, leaving Robert Green rooted to the spot. The net bulged, and the Emirates erupted in a cacophony of cheers.
Arsenal 3-1 QPR.
Rosicky turned toward Francesco immediately, pointing at him in acknowledgment of the assist. Francesco, grinning from ear to ear, rushed over to celebrate. The rest of the team joined in, enveloping Rosicky in a group hug. The fans chanted the Czech maestro's name, their appreciation for the moment pouring down from the stands.
On the sidelines, Arsène Wenger clapped enthusiastically, his satisfaction evident. The goal was a testament to everything he wanted from his team: quick thinking, intelligent movement, and clinical execution. Francesco's ability to read the game and deliver in crucial moments was once again on display.
As the players reset for the restart, QPR looked visibly deflated. They had fought hard to claw their way back into the game, but Arsenal's quality was proving too much to handle. The home side, buoyed by their two-goal lead, began to play with even more confidence.
With Arsenal in control, the tempo of the game shifted. QPR, desperate to find a way back, pushed forward with greater urgency, leaving gaps at the back. This played perfectly into Arsenal's hands, as the Gunners began to exploit the space with swift counterattacks.
Francesco continued to torment the QPR defense. In the 66th minute, he once again found himself in possession on the right flank. This time, he cut inside, evading two challenges before unleashing a curling effort toward the far post. The shot had Green scrambling, but the keeper managed to tip it wide at full stretch. The Emirates applauded the effort, recognizing the young winger's relentless drive.
The 68th minute arrived, and with it, a flurry of substitutions that changed the dynamic of the game. QPR manager Harry Redknapp, looking to inject fresh legs and spark a comeback, made three bold changes. Karl Henry made way for the dynamic Leroy Fer, a player capable of dominating the midfield with his physicality and creativity. Jordon Mutch, who had worked tirelessly but with limited impact, was replaced by Bobby Zamora, a more direct and experienced forward. Lastly, the struggling Armand Traore, who had been tormented by Francesco all night, was replaced by Junior Hoilett, an agile winger with an eye for attacking opportunities.
Arsène Wenger responded with a tactical substitution of his own. Sensing the need for more defensive solidity to protect the two-goal lead, he withdrew Thomas Rosicky, the scorer of Arsenal's third goal, to a standing ovation from the Emirates faithful. In his place came Francis Coquelin, a tenacious and disciplined midfielder tasked with breaking up QPR's attacks and shielding the backline.
The changes brought a renewed sense of urgency to QPR, who began to press higher up the pitch. Leroy Fer quickly made his presence felt in the midfield, winning duels and distributing the ball with intent. Bobby Zamora, using his physicality and experience, started causing problems for Arsenal's center-backs, holding up the ball and bringing others into play. Junior Hoilett, meanwhile, looked lively on the left flank, eager to prove his worth.
But Arsenal were ready to respond to any challenge, and it was Francesco who once again stole the spotlight.
The clock ticked into the 73rd minute, and QPR were pushing bodies forward in search of a lifeline. Their attacking intent, however, left them vulnerable to counterattacks—a risk Arsenal were poised to exploit. Santi Cazorla, as composed as ever in the heart of midfield, intercepted a loose pass from Fer. With a quick turn, he spotted Francesco lurking on the right flank, just inside Arsenal's half.
Cazorla wasted no time, threading a perfectly weighted pass to Francesco, who was already on the move. The young winger controlled the ball effortlessly, his first touch setting him up to sprint forward. Junior Hoilett, fresh off the bench, raced to close him down, but Francesco was too quick. A clever shimmy and a burst of acceleration left Hoilett trailing in his wake.
The Emirates crowd rose to their feet, sensing something special was about to happen. Francesco had space to run into, and Rio Ferdinand, the experienced QPR center-back, stepped forward to confront him. The one-on-one battle was a clash of youth and experience, but Francesco showed no signs of hesitation. As Ferdinand approached, Francesco dropped his shoulder and feinted to his left before darting to his right, leaving the veteran defender flat-footed.
Now it was just Francesco and Rob Green, the QPR goalkeeper, with the entire stadium holding its breath. Francesco, calm and composed, took a couple of measured strides before unleashing a low, driven shot with his right foot. The ball zipped past Green, who dived desperately but couldn't get a hand to it. It nestled into the bottom corner of the net.
Arsenal 4-1 QPR.
The Emirates erupted in pure elation. Francesco sprinted toward the corner flag, arms outstretched, his face lit up with joy. His teammates rushed to join him, piling on top of him in celebration. The crowd chanted his name, their voices echoing through the stadium. It was a moment of magic, the kind of play that fans would talk about for years.
On the sidelines, Arsène Wenger allowed himself a rare fist pump, his pride in the young star evident. Francesco had not only displayed exceptional skill but also a maturity and composure beyond his years.
The game resumed with Arsenal brimming with confidence after Francesco's brilliant goal had restored their three-goal advantage. QPR looked deflated but still tried to push forward, leaving themselves increasingly exposed at the back. Arsène Wenger, ever the pragmatic tactician, decided it was time to freshen things up and rest some of his key players.
In the 77th minute, Wenger signaled for a double substitution. The Emirates faithful rose to their feet as Francesco Lee's number went up on the fourth official's board. The young star, who had just delivered one of the most electric performances of his budding career, jogged off the field to a rapturous ovation. The crowd roared his name in unison, recognizing the impact he had made—an assist, a goal, and countless moments of skill that had QPR's defense on their heels all evening.
As Francesco approached the sideline, Wenger met him with a warm handshake and a few words of encouragement. It was clear that the manager was delighted with his young prodigy. In Francesco's place came Theo Walcott, the experienced winger known for his blistering pace and eye for goal.
At the same time, Alexis Sanchez, who had worked tirelessly all match, also made his way off the pitch. Like Francesco, he was greeted with a standing ovation for his efforts. Replacing him was Lukas Podolski, the German forward with a lethal left foot and a knack for finishing chances. The substitutions gave Arsenal fresh energy and allowed them to maintain their attacking edge in the closing stages.
With Arsenal's new personnel on the pitch, the game took on an even more one-sided feel. QPR, despite their substitutions, struggled to find any rhythm. Leroy Fer and Bobby Zamora tried to link up in attack, but Arsenal's defense, marshaled by Per Mertesacker and Nacho Monreal, stood firm. Junior Hoilett, who had been brought on to provide width and creativity, found himself isolated and unable to make an impact.
In midfield, Francis Coquelin's presence was proving invaluable. The Frenchman broke up several QPR attacks, ensuring Arsenal stayed in control of the game. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla dictated the tempo, their crisp passing and calm composure frustrating QPR's attempts to regain possession.
Theo Walcott, eager to make an impact, immediately began to terrorize QPR's left flank. His pace and directness added a new dimension to Arsenal's attack, and it wasn't long before he made his mark on the game.
In the 83rd minute, Arsenal struck again with a goal that epitomized their dominance. It started with Walcott, who received the ball on the right flank and immediately drove at the QPR defense. His first touch was electric, carrying him past Junior Hoilett, who had tracked back to defend. Walcott continued his run, skipping past a lunging challenge from Leroy Fer and cutting inside toward the edge of the penalty area.
Walcott looked up and saw Olivier Giroud making a run into the box. With precision and composure, Walcott whipped a curling cross into the danger area. The ball sailed over Rio Ferdinand and was met by Giroud, who timed his leap perfectly. The French striker rose above everyone and connected with a powerful header, sending the ball crashing into the back of the net.
Arsenal 5-1 QPR.
The Emirates erupted once again as Giroud wheeled away in celebration, sliding on his knees toward the corner flag. His teammates quickly surrounded him, congratulating him on a goal that showcased Arsenal's attacking flair. Walcott, too, received plenty of pats on the back for his fantastic play in the build-up.
The QPR players looked utterly defeated. They had no answer for Arsenal's relentless energy and creativity. The Arsenal fans, on the other hand, were in full voice, singing and cheering as their team put on a show.
With the game effectively over, Arsenal played with freedom and confidence in the final minutes. Walcott and Podolski both came close to adding a sixth goal, with Walcott forcing a save from Rob Green after a mazy run and Podolski rattling the crossbar with a thunderous left-footed strike from outside the box.
QPR, to their credit, continued to push forward in search of a consolation goal, but Arsenal's defense remained resolute. Coquelin and Arteta shielded the backline expertly, while Koscielny and Mertesacker dealt with everything QPR threw their way.
As the clock ticked toward full-time, the Arsenal fans began to celebrate in earnest, waving their scarves and chanting songs in tribute to their team. The players on the pitch responded, slowing the game down with crisp passing and moments of skill that drew cheers from the crowd.
When the referee blew the final whistle, the Emirates erupted in celebration. Arsenal had delivered a commanding 5-1 victory, a performance that highlighted their attacking prowess, defensive solidity, and tactical discipline. It was the kind of display that left fans dreaming of silverware and glory.
Francesco Lee, despite being substituted in the 77th minute, was a central figure in the post-match discussions which made him got the MOTM award again. His assist for Rosicky's goal and his solo effort in the 73rd minute were the standout moments of the game. Pundits and fans alike marveled at the young winger's skill, composure, and maturity. He was quickly becoming a key player for Arsenal, a future star who had already made a significant impact.
In his post-match interview, Arsène Wenger praised the team's performance. "I am very pleased with how we played today," he said. "The players showed great quality, both individually and collectively. Francesco, in particular, was outstanding. He has a special talent, and tonight, he showed why we have so much faith in him."
For Francesco, it was another step in his journey, another opportunity to showcase his talent on the big stage. But for Arsenal, it was more than just a win—it was a statement. They were a team on the rise, and with players like Francesco leading the way, the future looked incredibly bright.
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Name : Francesco Lee
Age : 16 (2014)
Birthplace : London, England
Football Club : Arsenal First Team
Championship History : None
Match Played: 3
Goal: 8
Assist: 2
MOTM: 3