Arsenal's opening goal dealt a heavy blow to Astana's morale.
Before conceding, the Kazakh side had been filled with excitement and determination. This was their first appearance in the Champions League group stage, and they had stepped onto the pitch believing they could challenge one of Europe's giants.
But after the goal, that confidence began to disappear.
It was not simply because they were behind on the scoreboard.
It was because of the feeling created by the goal itself.
Deep down, many Astana players had already understood the gap between the two teams. That feeling had been buried beneath their excitement and adrenaline before kickoff, but after Arsenal broke through their defense, it suddenly grew stronger.
They felt like they were facing an opponent they could not overcome.
Bosnikov stood there with his mouth slightly open.
He was still replaying the goal in his mind.
Aubameyang's movement.
That unexpected chip.
Suarez's intelligent run.
The calm finish.
And, most importantly, Kai's incredible long pass.
Every part of the attack was executed with terrifying precision.
These players were simply on another level.
It was completely different from the opponents Astana had faced before.
Perhaps this was what true European giants looked like.
Fortunately, it hadn't been last year's Arsenal; Astana's situation would have been even more difficult.
But even this version was already enough to leave them struggling.
Conceding after only five minutes had made their already difficult task almost impossible.
Le Kai glanced toward Bosnikov.
He still remembered the little trick the Astana captain had tried before kickoff, attempting to disrupt his concentration with a fake handshake.
But Kai had no intention of responding.
Small gestures like that could not affect him.
A player's mentality was far more important than winning a meaningless psychological battle.
Besides, in Kai's eyes, Astana deserved respect.
They were a hardworking team.
They had fought their way through the qualifiers and earned their place in the Champions League.
But at this moment, they were still not ready to compete with Arsenal.
"Everyone, drop back!"
Kai shouted.
"And don't forget..."
Before he could finish, the Arsenal players immediately laughed and shouted together.
"Turn around and prepare for the second ball!"
Kai couldn't help but smile.
They had heard this reminder countless times.
"Exactly," Kai said. "Control the match, secure the victory, and get our first Champions League win."
"Yes!"
The Arsenal players responded loudly.
Their fighting spirit was completely ignited.
After the opening goal, the difference in quality between the two sides became obvious.
Arsenal controlled every area of the pitch.
Their defenders dominated the back line, their midfield controlled possession, and their attackers constantly threatened the Astana goal.
Soon, the Gunners pushed deeper and deeper into Astana's half.
The tempo became overwhelming.
Many fans began to feel that the old Arsenal had returned.
But the Arsenal players themselves understood the reality. Their performance looked incredible because their opponent was Astana. Against a team like Atletico Madrid, this kind of dominance would not come so easily.
Astana simply could not match Arsenal in terms of squad quality, tactical understanding, or individual ability.
The second goal arrived in the 37th minute.
Suarez received the ball near the edge of the penalty area.
Facing the defender, he displayed his trademark close control, slipped past the challenge, entered the box, and stabbed the ball past the goalkeeper with the tip of his boot.
0-2.
This time, the goal came at the expense of Astana's captain, Bosnikov.
The defender's expression became even heavier.
By the time the halftime whistle arrived, Astana had already lost much of its initial confidence.
However, the atmosphere in the stands remained lively. For many supporters in the stadium, this match was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Astana's Champions League debut had attracted attention across Kazakhstan, but the biggest attraction was undoubtedly Arsenal.
The defending Champions League winners.
Suarez.
Kai.
Aubameyang.
The Premier League giants.
And Arsenal did not disappoint.
They delivered spectacular football and two beautiful goals.
Although some loyal Astana supporters felt disappointed by the scoreline, many fans in the stadium simply enjoyed the spectacle.
Cheers continued to echo around the stadium.
Some spectators even took off their Astana shirts and put on Arsenal jerseys they had brought with them.
Kai could only smile awkwardly when he saw the scene.
In England, such a situation would be almost impossible.
Premier League supporters were famous for their loyalty.
Second half.
Arsenal continued attacking with complete freedom.
The pressure and frustration they had carried since the beginning of the season seemed to finally be released.
Kai deliberately dropped deeper, taking responsibility for defensive organization while allowing Wilshere and Aubameyang to handle more of the attacking duties.
It was also an opportunity for the two to build their understanding.
However, the two were enjoying themselves too much. They were playing with complete confidence, constantly attempting creative moves and pushing forward. The frustration they had accumulated during Arsenal's difficult period needed somewhere to go.
Kai did not stop them.
Sometimes, a team needed a match like this to rebuild its confidence.
And Astana simply could not withstand Arsenal's continued attacks.
The third goal arrived in the 61st minute.
Sanchez delivered a precise chipped pass into the box, and Aubameyang attacked the far post with perfect timing, heading the ball into the net.
0-3.
In the 73rd minute, Aubameyang returned the favor.
After receiving the ball, he created space before assisting Sanchez, who calmly finished.
0-4.
Then, in the 88th minute, Kai split the defense with a perfectly weighted through ball. Suarez timed his run perfectly, broke through the defensive line, and completed his hat-trick.
0-5.
Arsenal had completely unleashed themselves.
After the goal, Kai, Suarez, and several other key players were substituted.
The score remained unchanged until the final whistle.
Astana tried to find a consolation goal in the closing stages, but their exhausted forward rushed the final opportunity and sent the shot high into the stands.
That became the final attempt of the match.
After 90 minutes, the referee blew the whistle.
Astana 0-5 Arsenal.
The defending Champions League winners had begun their European campaign in style.
Arsenal sent a clear message to Europe.
The Gunners might have struggled during the opening weeks of the season, but they were still a team capable of competing at the highest level.
That night, numerous media outlets reported on Arsenal's dominant victory.
However, the reactions were divided.
Some believed Arsenal was finally emerging from its difficult period and gradually recovering the confidence and strength they had shown during their Champions League-winning campaign.
Others remained skeptical.
They argued that Arsenal had simply taken advantage of a weaker opponent. Destroying Astana proved little, and their true level would only be revealed when they faced stronger opposition.
As for their overall form, many believed Arsenal had not truly returned to their peak yet.
This performance might only be temporary.
Regardless of the outside opinions, one thing could not be denied.
Arsenal had played an excellent match.
After defeating Manchester City in the Premier League, they had now secured their first Champions League victory of the season.
But their challenges were far from over.
Their next opponent would be Chelsea.
The Premier League champions against the Champions League winners.
Two teams that had dominated English football recently were currently experiencing difficulties.
Naturally, everyone was eager to see which side would emerge victorious.
At the same time, Mourinho was facing questions from reporters in the Netherlands.
Manchester United had just managed a 1-1 away draw against PSV Eindhoven, and naturally, the media turned their attention toward the upcoming clash between Arsenal and Chelsea.
Mourinho paused for a moment before answering.
"Chelsea is not currently Arsenal's opponent," Mourinho said calmly.
"Their squad structure is a problem. Too many important players are already at an advanced stage of their careers. This is an aging team, not a team built for long-term success."
"If Conte cannot solve this issue, then Chelsea's future will become very difficult."
The reporters continued asking about Arsenal.
Mourinho's expression changed slightly.
"Arsenal's current tactical direction is something I agree with," he said.
"But their interim coach..."
Mourinho paused, a hint of displeasure appearing on his face.
"He simply does not understand how to use Kai."
The reporters immediately became interested.
Mourinho continued.
"A player like Kai is a defensive anchor and a midfield controller. He is a player who influences the entire structure of the team."
"And now they are trying to push him forward, asking him to play like a Brazilian attacking midfielder?"
Mourinho shook his head.
"That is a terrible idea."
After making his point, Mourinho turned around and left.
He was clearly not in the best mood.
Manchester United had only managed a draw.
But that was not the only thing bothering him.
Seeing Arsenal once again trying to change Kai's role had irritated him even more.
A defensive midfielder.
A tactical core.
A player who controlled the rhythm of the entire team.
And now Arsenal wanted to transform him into something else.
A Brazilian-style playmaker.
To Mourinho, this was almost unacceptable.
When Kai had been forced to lose weight in the past, Mourinho had already felt like he was watching something absurd.
Now they wanted Kai to abandon the qualities that made him special?
Impossible.
Unfortunately, Mourinho was not Arsenal's manager.
He had no authority to interfere.
The more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became.
Then suddenly...
A flash of green appeared in front of him.
Mourinho stopped.
His expression darkened instantly.
"Either dye your hair back," Mourinho said coldly.
"Or I will shave it off myself."
With that, Mourinho turned and walked away.
Behind him, Pogba stood frozen.
He touched his bright green hair with a confused expression.
This was his new style.
Impossible.
His hairstyle was his pride.
Changing it was like taking away his life.
He would fight anyone who tried.
Pogba watched Mourinho's back disappear.
He ran his fingers through his hair again.
"No taste at all."
. . .
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