The score remained 1-0 after thirty-six minutes of play.

Zhao Gang lofted a ball into the penalty area, but Mertesacker reacted quickly, heading it clear of the danger zone before Jesus could reach it.

Xhaka quickly took possession with his back to the goal, when Kompany suddenly charged in from an angle, eager to win the ball back and launch a quick counter-attack.

Xhaka extended his left leg to shield the ball.

A scream rang out, and Xhaka clutched his calf, collapsing to the ground in agony.

Kompany's challenge had been both swift and forceful.

He frantically looked at the referee who had just blown his whistle, hastily spreading his hands in protest.

Arsenal's players quickly surrounded Xhaka and the approaching referee, checking on Xhaka's injury and pressuring the referee.

The referee didn't hesitate, immediately brandishing a yellow card.

The Manchester City players around him were also trying to explain on Kompany's behalf, but Kompany looked extremely aggrieved.

The referee held up the yellow card, his expression firm.

Seeing that he couldn't change the situation, Kompany turned away in frustration and anger, rashly raising his hand to express his dissatisfaction with the referee.

Slap!

Kompany knocked the yellow card out of the referee's hand before he could retract it.

Both men froze.

Kompany quickly turned back, intending to explain his actions.

It was definitely unintentional.

Fernandinho swiftly picked up the yellow card and handed it to the referee.

The referee took the yellow card, his expression even more resolute.

Swipe!

He issued another yellow card to Kompany.

Then he pulled the red card from his pocket.

Two yellows turned into a red, sending him off the field!

"It was unintentional, unintentional!!"

The Manchester City players quickly surrounded the referee. Zhao Gang and Fernandinho repeatedly explained to the referee, while Kyle Walker and Bravo restrained the almost berserk Kompany.

This was his first start in months, and he was being sent off before halftime!

Moreover, being a man down while already trailing made the situation even more dire.

Kompany was somewhat unhinged by this sudden turn of events.

The referee separated the Manchester City players and pointed to the sidelines. "Get off, get off the field!!"

On the field, the referee's word was law; he had the power to send anyone off the field, as long as they were alive.

Not just players, but even linesmen, fans, or even himself could be ejected.

Bravo put his arm around Kompany, constantly consoling him, telling him that now was not the time to get angry, he needed to leave the field first.

Kompany muttered under his breath, furious, and soon he couldn't help but shed tears.

A staunch captain, crying in this situation, not because of any unfair treatment he was receiving, but because when he was sent off, his teammates would have to play with one less man, and it was all his fault.

This self-blame and guilt made it difficult for him to forgive himself.

If the team lost this game, it would all be because of his inadvertent action.

All the players on the field would have to pay the price for his somewhat rash, subconscious behavior.

Guardiola shook his head slightly. Kompany had recovered from his injury, and had found his form as a substitute in previous games. This time, with his first start, he had wanted to prove himself too much.

And this was the result.

Guardiola stopped Kompany as he walked off the field, reaching out to pat him on the back. At this time, scolding and getting angry would be of no use.

Kompany's experience was enough for him to understand these things on his own.

What was more important now was adjusting the lineup.

"Kompany… the first yellow card, in principle, was not a problem, but in this game, the scale of physical confrontation between the two sides has been very large, and the referee has not shown much reaction. The sudden tightening of the standard is somewhat abnormal.

The second yellow card… Kompany was really a bit wronged.

However, the referee believed that this behavior was disrespectful, and giving a yellow card was not a big problem.

Both yellow cards are somewhat controversial, but they do have some justification!

Now, for Manchester City, the problem is big. This is not a midfielder or forward, but a center back, the last line of defense before the goalkeeper. Guardiola will probably have to make a substitution, otherwise, if Arsenal launches a counter-attack, Manchester City's defense will have big problems."

"A substitution should be made, but who should be replaced? Sterling? Sane?"

"Probably Sterling… Sure enough, Otamendi comes on to replace Sterling, so Manchester City's defense is relatively stable, but the front line has lost a raider, and the attack has been affected to a certain extent. This is unavoidable."

Otamendi quickly entered the field. As a result, De Bruyne moved back to the left, and Sane returned to his more familiar right.

"Zhao Gang appeared behind Jesus, playing as a central attacking midfielder, or even a single attacking midfielder, so Manchester City has become a veritable single defensive midfielder."

"Manchester City is one goal behind and has one less player. In this way, the situation is very unfavorable!"

On the field, Arsenal took a free kick.

They saw an opportunity.

Now that Manchester City had one less player, although the defense had been filled, there would definitely be problems in the overall defense.

Wenger on the sidelines kept shouting at the players on the field, "Defend well! Defend well!"

They could launch a counter-attack, but they must pay attention to defense.

Defense was the most important thing!

Arsenal, playing at home, still focused on defense even with one more player.

This was completely different from the Arsenal tactics of the past.

Wenger's emphasis on this championship was evident.

The fans at the Emirates Stadium cheered. No matter how Kompany went down, they were happy as long as the opponent was reduced.

Even with one less player, Manchester City was still able to maintain control and dominate the game.

There was not much time left in the first half, and there were few opportunities.

Moreover, the Manchester City players needed some time to adjust to this sudden situation.

The attack was not fierce.

Beep!!!

The first half ended!

Arsenal were leading 1-0 at home.

And Kompany was sent off with a red card.

Manchester City's situation was not optimistic.

Arsenal scored first, and at the same time gave up the attack. The forwards had retreated to midfield to participate in defense.

Playing with one more player, they were still setting up a defensive wall.

This was something that some fans didn't quite understand.

But in competitive football, the last one laughing is the winner.

The process was not important, the championship was the proof of everything.

In Manchester City's locker room, the players were silent. Kompany covered his face, still full of remorse.

Guardiola began to arrange the attack and defense for the second half.

When he was almost finished, he looked at Zhao Gang.

"Zhao, I want you to move, be aggressive, and find opportunities to break through and create fouls!

You need to constantly switch positions with everyone in the frontcourt. I want to see you in the middle, on the wings, everywhere!

Everyone else will cooperate with your runs!

You don't need to worry about any defensive issues. Fernandinho will help you protect all the gaps behind you!

Create opportunities, seize opportunities!!"

Zhao Gang nodded, and all the players nodded in agreement.

Soon the half-time break was coming to an end.

Although Kompany had been sent off, he was the captain and a senior figure in the locker room, and he should cheer up all the players.

So, he was the first to stand up.

"I'm sorry, I made a big mistake and you all have to pay the price for my mistake.

But I believe that without me, you can still run, break through, and score on the field!

We are Manchester City, the Blue Moon that will never be defeated!

For the championship!!"

The Manchester City players put their hands together, stacked on top of each other, looked at each other, and nodded vigorously.

"For the championship!!"

"Everyone makes mistakes, but I don't think our captain should pay such a price for such a mistake. When this game is over, he will be with us, standing on the field, standing on the podium, at the Emirates Stadium, and lifting the trophy with us…

We are going to take the field now and kick Arsenal's asses…

Fight for Vincent."

Zhao Gang, who never liked to motivate his teammates, spoke up at the end.

All the teammates looked at Zhao Gang, then turned to look at Kompany.

Kompany pursed his lips, nodded hard, tears glistening in his eyes.

Fight for the championship.

Fight for Vincent!