The Arsenal reserve team sits with one player directly recruited by Wenger, plus their own players, who are very good, and many of them are likely to play in the Premier League in the future. They want to prove their worth. For them, the goal this season is naturally winning the EFL Trophy.
However, their hopes seem to be slipping away because of Brentford, who have only managed 1 win in 5 games this season. Most importantly, the Blue team's star, Joel Brockman, has played poorly today and was even substituted.
"I don't know what you're doing, but I'm sure you're getting further and further away from the Premier League! If you can't dominate in this kind of low-level trophy, then it's best you leave as soon as possible!"
At the end of the first half, the entire Arsenal reserve bench was quiet as the head coach shouted at one player in particular. The person in the hot seat was Harry, who had been dominated by Lucas during the first half.
Truth be told, Harry played well at the beginning, restricting Joan and making him unable to do anything. Joan was even replaced. But after Lucas came onto the pitch, Harry couldn't do anything and played like a headless chicken.
Not only that, but Harry had also allowed Lucas to score one goal and assist on two occasions. This was the primary reason why the Arsenal reserve team was trailing by 2 goals.
The head coach, Marcus Chamberlain, didn't believe Lucas was anything special, so he blamed Harry for underestimating the opposition and not taking the game seriously.
Faced with his coach's criticism, Harry couldn't argue. He couldn't tell his coach, "I tried my best, but it's no use."
As they prepared for the second half, if Harry still wanted to keep his pride and dream of playing in the Premier League, his only option was to give it his all.
He had to go head-to-head with Lucas.
In the Premier League, most players face their toughest challenges during the season's final stretch. In the lower leagues, players in every match are fighting for statistics and victory as if their careers depend on it.
Compared to the Premier League, lower league matches have a rugged charm. Football is a competitive sport, after all, and the more intense the competition, the better the game is for fans.
"I'll make sure he doesn't get any space in the second half."
Harry gritted his teeth in determination. If he were outplayed by an unknown player, it would be humiliating. He had been a youth star and was highly regarded by Arsenal.
So, he decided to confront Lucas with what he does best.
What's his specialty? Making his opponent physically desperate, like he did to Joel!
Before the start of the second half, Harry approached his teammate, the defensive midfielder, who had yet to fully settle into Arsenal's reserve team as he had just been promoted from the U-18.
"Mate, I need you to make more physical contact with that striker. Don't show pity. If he dares to continue playing like he did in the first half, don't hesitate—tackle him and help me exhaust him."
Harry knew he had to use his teammates to contain Lucas. After the first half, no one knew Lucas's capabilities better than him. If he tried to go it alone, he might end up on the losing side again.
Therefore, Harry had to rely on his teammates to achieve his goal. He had to win. It wasn't just about victory and glory; it was about his career.
On Brentford's side, Conor had only one goal—continue to maintain the lead and even widen it if possible.
Leading Arsenal by 2 goals at halftime was something he hadn't expected before the match. But Lucas, the X factor, had made a difference, leaving the bald coach very pleased.
As a result, he decided to field his strongest offensive formation in the second half.
"What!? You want the team to play with Lucas as the core!?"
Joel, who was substituted earlier, was shocked. Even he isn't regarded as Brentford's core. Weak teams like them generally don't have a core player around whom all the ball revolves because every player can leave or be replaced at any moment. If Lucas is made the core now and they win the game, what about the future?
Giving way to an unknown player? What a joke!?
"First of all, you need to understand, I'm the head coach and manager. I'm not asking you to give the ball more to Lucas; I'm giving you an order. If we lose the game, I'm the one who will suffer more backlash. So, don't test my patience."
Conor's attitude was firm. He didn't care about the future when the present wasn't even decided. He could feel it: if the team lost the game, he would definitely lose his job.
Seeing Conor's resolve, Joel couldn't argue. No matter how angry he was, he had no choice but to shut up. Plus, he could do nothing about it since he had already been substituted.
"Everyone, give Lucas more space and support him with good passes. I need him to have easier opportunities to score. That's the only way we'll win this match. Does anyone here want to lose to a reserve team from Arsenal?"
"No!"
"Good," Conor nodded in satisfaction. "Then let's do it!"
After the fifteen-minute break, the second half was about to begin. When the players returned to the pitch, there weren't many changes, and both head coaches remained conservative.
"Can the magic No. 27 continue his first-half form? We've seen plenty of players who suddenly perform brilliantly after a burst of confidence. But most of them aren't consistent."
The commentator, after the excitement of the two goals had passed, became pessimistic about Lucas. He had seen many players who stood out for a half, a game, or even a season, only to fade away later. In his view, Lucas was like those players—a man of three seconds.
"What are you waiting for? Do you want me to substitute you!? Get into position and support your teammates!"
Conor's yelling left a midfielder, who had wanted to play the hero, with no choice but to comply. The first half had shown that this bald coach was willing to bench anyone who didn't follow instructions.
So, Brentford's players, including Reggie, made off-the-ball runs to support Lucas. Despite his disdain for Lucas, Brockman on the bench also resented Diego Vargas, who had outclassed him earlier. Brockman's feelings were conflicted—he didn't want Lucas to continue his first-half performance, but he also wanted Diego to be humiliated like he was.
With Brentford playing around him, Lucas found it easier to get into space and played more freely than in the first half. Everyone watching the game could see that he was playing as if he was above the rest of the players.
Even Diego Vargas and Gnabry were forced to return to defense. In football, there are some games that are determined by just one person. The presence of that person can completely ruin and disrupt all of the opponent's tactics. In this match, where the opponents were from a reserve team, it was like Marco Reus, in the twilight of his career, playing against youth players.
"Damn it!" Harry, who was fifteen meters away, was scared that Lucas would attack from his side. He had seen how good Lucas was, and if he conceded another goal to this player, his reputation would be shattered.
However, his teammate, the right-back, hadn't forgotten their earlier conversation. The imposing defender rushed out to help.
As Lucas saw the right-back closing in, he felt a surge of pressure. Even with his confidence, Lucas wasn't keen on challenging two desperate and formidable opponents.
So, just as Lucas and Harry were about to collide, Lucas unexpectedly played a through ball.
The ball slipped past Harry's legs and rolled into the box! At that moment, Reggie, who had made the run to support Lucas, received the ball in stride—this time, closer to the goal!
The few Arsenal supporters exclaimed "What!?" while the Brentford fans, seeing Reggie with space, were excited by Lucas's successful pass.
At the same time, the scouts, who were more professional, were stunned. In such a tight space, Lucas had managed to play a perfect through ball to his teammate. Was this guy really just a forward and not an attacking midfielder!?
The Brentford players were surprised. They knew Lucas and Reggie had good chemistry, as they had shown in training yesterday. But today, this was Lucas's second perfect pass to Reggie.
Reggie didn't dwell on it like they did. With Harry out of position and no defenders near the goal, this was his chance to shine after scoring earlier in the match.
After receiving the ball, he took two steps forward and blasted it into the net!
The crowd erupted in cheers. The Brentford team had just delivered a stunning attack to start the second half!
"Beautiful! Damn, these two guys should be playing in the Premier League!"
On the commentary stage, the commentators were impressed by Lucas and Reggie's performance. From the clever movement to the deceptive dribble, the perfectly timed pass, the perfect off-ball movement, and that final blast—it was simply the perfect duo.
After the goal, Reggie ran directly to Lucas, excited. Two goals meant more bonuses, plus he might get noticed just because of this game. Of course, he was excited.
He might not dream of the Premier League because of this performance, but if Lucas and he continued like this, their brotherhood was likely to make it in the end.