When the match reached the 82nd minute, Manchester City launched another quick counterattack, once again targeting Arsenal's right flank.
Manchester City's left side had been highly active throughout the game.
The left-wing combination of Leighton Baines and Hazard had placed enormous pressure on Arsenal's right side. During the match, Walcott had even gotten into an argument with his teammate Sagna.
Wenger was forced to substitute Walcott for Diaby in the second half.
But despite the adjustment, Arsenal's defense still showed cracks under Manchester City's constant switches and rapid counterattacks.
Leighton Baines played a diagonal pass into the penalty area from outside the box. Hazard quickly cut in from the left channel and entered the penalty area.
Sagna was marking Hazard tightly the whole way, but Baines' pass was perfectly placed, allowing the Belgian to receive the ball smoothly and suddenly stop on the left side of the box.
Sagna had been too close, sticking to Hazard throughout. The Belgian's sudden stop caught him off guard, and he lunged forward due to inertia.
Center-back Kolo Toure, positioned behind Sagna, immediately rushed forward, trying to block Hazard's next move.
But Hazard touched the ball forward with his right foot, slipping past the charging Kolo Toure. Before Sagna could recover and turn back, Hazard quickly stepped in and struck the ball with his left foot.
At that moment, goalkeeper Fabianski was directly behind Sagna, with his vision largely obstructed. By the time he reacted and attempted a save, it was already too late.
The entire sequence happened in an instant. Despite being surrounded by Arsenal defenders, Hazard used his individual skill to carve out the space and opportunity to score.
Seven to zero!
When referee Howard Webb blew the whistle confirming the goal, the entire stadium erupted in wild cheers.
Hazard spread his arms wide, sprinting across the pitch in celebration.
No one had expected Manchester City to play so smoothly and dominate so thoroughly in this match.
The team had already led 5-0 by halftime. Although Wenger realized the danger and made substitutions in the second half, it was too late. Manchester City were playing with confidence and rhythm, completely overwhelming Arsenal.
…
The game developed so rapidly that fans who weren't watching the live broadcast would have had no idea what was happening.
But this unpredictability is exactly what makes football so exciting.
Just like Hazard's goal a moment ago. Arsenal had set up their defensive shape, with Hazard surrounded from all sides. Yet, through his skillful footwork, sudden stops, and quick changes of pace and direction, he created space on the left edge of the box and scored.
No one could fully explain how it happened, but everyone agreed—it was brilliant.
Even Manchester City chairman Mubarak couldn't help but rise from his seat, clapping enthusiastically like an ordinary fan, cheering for Hazard's goal.
"Seven to zero! Gao Shen is incredible!" Mubarak laughed excitedly.
He seemed at a loss for how to express his joy.
Last season, it was Manchester United. This season, Arsenal. Manchester City had dismantled two of the Premier League's traditional powerhouses in consecutive seasons.
"He really is amazing!" Mubarak exclaimed.
Gary Cook, Brian Marwood, and others also offered their praise.
It was clear how highly Gao Shen was regarded by Manchester City's top brass.
More importantly, his leadership and coaching ability were beyond question.
Some might argue that he had simply spent a lot of money.
But in professional football, spending money alone is never enough.
Abramovich certainly spent a fortune, but did that alone make Chelsea dominant?
Even at their peak under Mourinho, Chelsea were still more known for defensive counterattacks.
Now, Manchester City were truly dominating the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal, scoring freely and imposing their game on opponents.
"You know, some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers shine with the light of freedom."
Mubarak couldn't help but quote a line from one of his favorite films, The Shawshank Redemption.
He felt that a talent like Gao Shen deserved respect and the freedom to shine.
"He is truly a top-level coach," Brian Marwood agreed with admiration.
Mubarak smiled and nodded at his advisor.
He still remembered when he first entered the Premier League. Back then, Marwood had explained to him that there were generally two types of top managers in European football.
The first type were those who simply led their teams to victory—Mourinho, Ancelotti, Hitzfeld, Capello, Lippi, Hiddink, and so on. These coaches did not stick to rigid tactical systems. Winning was their only priority.
The second type were coaches with their own distinct tactical philosophies. They might not always win titles, but they relentlessly pursued their ideals, nurturing and developing players to fit their systems. Coaches like Van Gaal, Bielsa, and Guardiola were prime examples.
Of course, there were also managers who didn't clearly belong to one category or the other. They held certain ideals but were also pragmatic enough to prioritize results. Ferguson and Gao Shen fell into this group.
If someone asked whether there was a difference between the Gao Shen who managed Napoli and the Gao Shen managing Manchester City, most would quickly point out that he now had a much bigger transfer budget.
That budget allowed him to build a squad so deep that even their rotation lineup could crush the Premier League's Big Four.
Tonight, Manchester City had rotated nearly half the starting eleven but still completely dismantled Arsenal.
This was not just about money.
It was about squad depth.
"If nothing unexpected happens, the Premier League title this season should be beyond doubt," Marwood said confidently.
With the current strength of Manchester City, even the rotated lineup could perform at this level. As long as the team avoided serious issues, winning the league seemed highly likely.
Gao Shen had also been consistently cautious in squad management.
Mubarak nodded. "The biggest question mark remains the Champions League."
"There shouldn't be any major problems in the group stage. Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Schalke 04 are all tangled up. We've handled it well so far. But the real challenge will come in the knockout rounds," Marwood responded.
The true uncertainty of the Champions League lies in its unpredictability.
Especially in the knockout stages, where tactical adjustments can decide outcomes over two legs.
It is entirely possible to beat an opponent in one round but then be defeated by them in the next.
If a weakness is exposed or a key player underperforms, anything can happen.
Just like what was happening to Arsenal tonight.
…
Despite leading 7-0, Manchester City did not ease up.
The players were hungry.
Van Persie, who had already scored a hat-trick, was substituted by Gao Shen, but Giroud, who came on for him, was full of energy and determination.
Why?
Because he was under enormous pressure.
Suarez was performing in the Champions League, while Van Persie was excelling in the Premier League. Both were scoring freely.
Even local young star Sturridge was fighting hard for opportunities. So how could Giroud, facing an uphill battle for playing time, not give everything?
Once the French striker entered the pitch, he relentlessly pressed Arsenal's defense.
Kolo Toure and Djourou were at their wits' end.
The entire match, they had been battered by Van Persie and Sturridge. Finally, Van Persie was substituted, only for a stronger, fresher, and equally determined Giroud to take his place.
From the first moment, Giroud charged like a man possessed, chasing down every ball and challenging every defender. Who could endure that?
Just four minutes after Hazard's goal, Manchester City launched yet another counterattack.
After intercepting the ball in midfield, they played it to the left flank. Baines and Hazard once again combined down the left, with Hazard dribbling toward the byline.
Sagna marked Hazard closely from behind, and Kolo Toure stepped up to block the path ahead. Hazard chose to cut the ball back sharply.
Giroud, who was trailing the play, entered the box just as Hazard's cutback arrived, completely unmarked.
The French forward calmly controlled the ball, adjusted his stance, and unleashed a clean strike.
This time, he was thoroughly enjoying himself.
Giroud's shooting technique had always been solid, but his swing was a bit slow. Yet with no defender around, he had all the time he needed.
His shot flew into the right side of Arsenal's goal.
Fabianski dived, but still couldn't reach it.
After scoring, Giroud sprinted toward the corner flag, roaring in celebration.
"Eight to zero!"
"My God! Manchester City have completely run riot tonight!"
"This may not be Manchester City's highest score in history. They once beat Huddersfield 10-1 at Maine Road back in 1987."
"But this scoreline equals Arsenal's heaviest defeat ever—a humiliating 8-0 loss to Loughborough back in 1896 in the old English Second Division."
"That record stood for 114 years, and tonight, Manchester City have tied it at the Etihad Stadium!"
"Right now, Arsenal's only goal may be to at least score one themselves, just to avoid this historic humiliation."
"This will undoubtedly go down as the most painful defeat in Wenger's career!"
"Gao Shen's teams have left a lasting impression on the football world. In consecutive seasons, he has delivered record defeats to both Ferguson and Wenger."
"Perhaps it's true, the young are the fiercest. Gao Shen can now face legends like Ferguson and Wenger without any fear."
"Manchester City will also gain huge confidence from such a dominant performance."
"As long as Manchester City can maintain tonight's form, there is every reason to believe that the Premier League title will not slip from their grasp!"
(To be continued.)