"A minute before halftime, with Arsenal 1-0 down, still a little clogged in midfield but pressing hard, an unseen brass band somewhere behind the press box began playing a jaunty, oddly mocking version of No, no, no no no no, no no no no no no there's no limits. The band had vanished by the time the players trooped off."
"Fast forward another 45 minutes, with Arsenal still 1-0 down and entering stoppage time with five attackers on the pitch, Arteta could be seen sprinting to retrieve the ball, legs pumping in his tight grey slacks, a tender moment of total abandon that would be rewarded by Gabriel Martinelli's equalising goal. It was entirely deserved and wonderful stand-alone moment of skill. Eberechi Eze, a half-time sub, lifted a pass beyond the defensive line."
"Was it another passing apparition in a wild, gripping, at times occasionally hallucinogenic game notable for the sight of two of the great control managers slightly losing the run of themselves, like a pair of chess nerds out there having a high-speed, full-contact game of draughts, pieces scattered, formations endlessly rejigged, Pep going full Pulis, Mikel Arteta chucking every attacking weapon into the breach, going after the last column of tanks with a soup ladle."
Arsenal trailed 1-0 at halftime in a physically intense, often hallucinatory match that included an unseen brass band playing a mocking refrain. Both managers occasionally lost tactical composure, with Pep adopting unusual pragmatism and Mikel Arteta repeatedly reshuffling his side and committing attacking resources. Arteta introduced substitutes and chased the game late, sprinting to retrieve the ball as five attackers occupied the pitch. Eberechi Eze supplied the decisive pass and Gabriel Martinelli executed a brilliant stoppage-time equaliser, lifting the ball over Gianluigi Donnarumma. Players, fans and staff reacted with elation in a dramatic moment of skill.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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