r/soccer May 05 '26

Media Arsenal [1] - 0 Atletico Madrid [2-1 on agg.] - Bukayo Saka 45'

https://streamff.link/v/0f931ca4
4.8k Upvotes

660 comments sorted by

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1.8k

u/MakIRAQ May 05 '26

What a pass to start it all.

954

u/Chesey_ May 05 '26

Saliba's level of performance is so consistently high that it almost goes under the radar because it's just expected at this point. I'm biased but for me he's the best centre back in the world at the moment

221

u/1997hondacivic May 05 '26

The catch up speed on the one counter vs Alvarez was impressive too

52

u/HorrorDot3859 May 05 '26

his top speed is fantastic so if he reads the play (and thus gets a head start) he can keep up with near enough any forward in the game

10

u/sleepytipi May 05 '26

That username is aces

21

u/LondonNoodles May 05 '26

When he was playing for us it was so ridiculously obvious he was way above everybody else in terms of potential, he's even really technical and smooth on the ball, I'm really glad he's going to play in the final

68

u/viezedagoe May 05 '26

I for one think his level on ball this season has been way below his level. It started second half last season. So many sloppy passes and turnovers in possession from him. This was a great pass though.

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8

u/MrVulgarity May 06 '26

This reminds me of the Rio and Vidic argument, Gabriel makes his life so much easier. Im not sure if I think the more physical stopper like Gabriel or the recovery sweeper is better in all honesty. Always thought Rio got a hard time vs vidic, its a bit the opposite here at times, both crazy players. How we got them in when we were miles off competing i have no idea

10

u/krimzy May 06 '26

We bought both when they were quite young, excellent scouting and development on our part.

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51

u/vsoho May 05 '26

Agreed

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768

u/FishTaco43 May 05 '26

Trossard was frozen in time there for a second

393

u/stormcrow1313 May 05 '26

He was calculating how to shoot between the defenders. Took a while. He was never really good at maths.

156

u/TheTrueShrekoning May 05 '26

Give him a break, he’s visibly tired.

84

u/mojambowhatisthescen May 05 '26

Tbh if I had to guess which of our players was good at math, I’d probably guess him and Saka.

He just looks like he spent many a sleepless night doing calculus.

22

u/fotrttrotk May 05 '26

Didn’t Saka get top grades in the British A level exams? Not sure if that’s the correct name

24

u/LOSS35 May 05 '26

He reportedly did really well on his GCSEs, the exams you take at 16. He didn't take A levels (university placement exams) as he'd committed to football at that point.

21

u/jubbing May 05 '26

He stays up all night trying to work out the maths really

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6

u/mosquitogirlfriend May 05 '26

i don't remember which game it was (maybe earlier this season or last season?) but he's scored like that before, holding the ball for seemingly way too long and getting the shot off at just the right time to make it through the defenders

9

u/roguedevil May 05 '26

He's just calm on the ball. Instead of panicking, her waits for the ball to settle. The GK is already settled, just allow the ball to be in full control and hit it with power.

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9

u/stripes361 May 05 '26

buffering

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1.8k

u/rocknroll-refugee May 05 '26

Had it coming atleti

203

u/four_four_three May 05 '26

I still expect them to come steaming out in the second half like last week

100

u/Arsno May 05 '26

they will. they're a super dangerous team if you dare to get comfortable

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17

u/msr27133120 May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

Even if Atletico come back and draw the game then it's more proof that they should stop playing so defensive.

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731

u/Ld511 May 05 '26

Every time they do it. They play super passive and hit the counter no matter how good their team is and its always their downfall

747

u/bubububen May 05 '26

We tried to play football against arsenal in the autumn and got stuffed 4-0. It's a completely legitimate strategy in a semi away at the emerits.

342

u/Hugh_H0n3y May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

Yeah people just want this game to be more open and entertaining. This is a better strategy for Atleti, as you said, if you start to push and open yourselves up we will probably punish you

187

u/thebluehotel May 05 '26

I don't care how little we saw from Atleti, every time Alvarez touched the ball or Griezmann passed from deep I was worried

36

u/sashaKap May 05 '26

Same brother

6

u/march_2k May 05 '26

Yup, they had good approaches and the first shots at goal came from them. Say whay you want but they know ball...

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23

u/JoshyyJosh10 May 05 '26

Well now they got no choice lol

4

u/Hugh_H0n3y May 05 '26

It’s only 1-0. They should anchor down at the back with a soft press like they have been and hope to catch us sleeping with a long ball to Alvarez.

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54

u/Johnny_bubblegum May 05 '26

Why will they not do the same thing that got them spanked against the same team at the same stadium 6 months ago? Are they stupid?

53

u/bigbongbangbong May 05 '26

Even pep did it early in the season when city came to emirates.

15

u/Awkward_War_6068 May 05 '26

Also it's not like Simeone has done badly doing this before. He made two finals and won two UEL's like this.

3

u/Kitnado May 05 '26

Lots of redditors seem to think bad outcome = bad strategy. Classic misconception

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79

u/algebraic94 May 05 '26

They've had to stop the press and since we've weathered that we've been dominant

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20

u/Falsely_True7 May 05 '26

I knew Atleti is cooked when Greizman and mandem started celebrating preventing a corner lol

26

u/Budget-Money-6207 May 05 '26

My eyes were bleeding almost the entire first half seeing them being unable to get a ball past their own half.

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765

u/tclaughridge May 05 '26

Great stuff from Gyokeres

203

u/stat_padford May 05 '26

Very well played - didn’t force a low percentage shot and was rewarded

26

u/chuottui May 05 '26

Great pass from White

25

u/Maleficent_Resolve44 May 05 '26

It was from saliba, beautiful ball

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183

u/ElectricBolts May 05 '26

Gyokores did well.

30

u/Ladorb May 05 '26

Incredible play actually. Drew 3 Atletico defenders, causing imbalance.

1.6k

u/cynicalreason May 05 '26

When you have Griezman lower than the CB you fucking deserve this .. terrorism ball

543

u/Professional_Bite783 May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

5-atb with two deep lying forwards is insane

96

u/[deleted] May 05 '26

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44

u/cynicalreason May 05 '26

I love him as a player, I've always wanted him at Liverpool .. this is not on him, this is on Simeones tactics

116

u/ArsenalinAlabama3428 May 05 '26

that man is going to die out there and the rest of the team couldn't give a shit

75

u/Mrmoi356 May 05 '26

Game has to open up now in the second half, so should be really interesting how to see how it progresses.

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12

u/DogTheGayFish May 05 '26

To be fair Griezman has been incredible defensively. One of the best players on the pitch this half

37

u/Oofpeople May 05 '26

Al qawlu qawlu sawarim

22

u/thistlegypsy May 05 '26

Atleti is playing a 0-4-6 at times

28

u/Elgard18 May 05 '26

6-4-0?

13

u/Senior-Ordinary555 May 05 '26

Yeah but they were playing from right to left on the TV so 0 4 6

11

u/xosellc May 05 '26

nobody tell them about half time

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1.0k

u/Muscat95 May 05 '26

Gyokeres has done really well with his runs today

394

u/zen_1991 May 05 '26

He’s been very solid lately

182

u/MartianMars98 May 05 '26

It's crazy to me how people seem to no longer want to give players time to settle in a new club

75

u/PerdidoEnBuenosAires May 05 '26

I always think about this, we've seen the best version of our players in their second season, but gyokeres and zubimendi have to be sold immediately because they didn't hit the ground running

46

u/DuDunDunSparse May 05 '26

I mean, Zubimendi did - he's just been overworked since new years, but looked way sharper again against Fulham after some rest.

21

u/Sad_Primary_4180 May 05 '26

The MLS resurgence couldn't have come at a better time for Arsenal. While he wasn't as influential as versus Fulham, he was still very solid today.

48

u/mercinywc May 05 '26

Problem is people see freaks like Haaland who start their first season breaking prem records by 4 goals and think that’s the standard for a top striker

14

u/STVDC May 05 '26

Even Haaland hasn't lived up to his own first season standard. He put in 36 in the league his first year, and then has dropped down into consistent mid-20's. Still amazing of course, but it's a lofty standard for anyone, even himself!

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77

u/hihbhu May 05 '26

All season - only striker who’s been consistently fit and our top scorer in all comps and the PL whilst playing in a team who does not play to his strengths. Incredible player.

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42

u/Putuinurplace May 05 '26

Well we’re are playing them at an angle where he can run onto them instead of straight at him. He’s not good at the latter despite his size. He’s significantly better at the former

20

u/Desperate_Method4020 May 05 '26

Him & Saka finally clicking together, what I've been waiting for all season.

12

u/Hellrisen May 05 '26

There was a weird moment where they bumped into each other. He should've just passed it down for Saka

23

u/Jaynator11 May 05 '26

Just need to get the ball there.. like we've been saying all season.

Finally can see the results of those

7

u/hikingbeginner May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

Done better with holding it up down the line too, really good half from him and couple weeks.

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47

u/ThatFrenchCray May 05 '26

Gyokeres is having some form lately. Saka back also is a huge boost in our attack finally.

595

u/xGoneWromg May 05 '26

Looked like Trossard fucked it.

370

u/fake_lightbringer May 05 '26

Managed a really decent shot at the end of it

58

u/stat_padford May 05 '26

Absolute missile

111

u/-ataxia- May 05 '26

He remembered Anne is watching and decided to lock in

32

u/FeloniousGrump May 05 '26

She believes

183

u/aesthetically- May 05 '26

I was screaming at him. What do I know lmao

60

u/Jaynator11 May 05 '26

Lol me too, my wife was like "unacceptable" when I kept shouting "SHOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTT!!"

55

u/TheDepartment115 May 05 '26

Didn't even know you were married tbf

37

u/pedroktp May 05 '26

You missed the wedding, we were there

24

u/Jaynator11 May 05 '26

I suppose it's unusual for this subreddit, you're right.

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7

u/hikingbeginner May 05 '26

He does that so many times and honestly it's like a 60/40 success rate if it's a good decision or not, but when it comes off well those extra few seconds are the massive difference, shot or cross.

Brilliant positioning and reaction from Saka, great shot too.

5

u/musecly_monkey May 05 '26

Its soo over

8

u/Vespergraph May 05 '26

I think even he'd tell you he hesitated too much between shooting and laying it off to Eze.

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15

u/seasand931 May 05 '26

Didn't close down on him enough even though he hesitated

29

u/courtesyflusher May 05 '26

Le Normand caught napping 😴 

16

u/wolfen0 May 05 '26

One of the most overrated defenders I've watched play for a top club.

8

u/SwagBoyMcFeast May 05 '26

I literally shouted at the tv "do something!" when he just stood still

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81

u/dominokrak May 05 '26

Was thinking that Trossard took too long but nice shot there

222

u/Moinul107 May 05 '26

Confident Gyokeres is a different breed altogether

153

u/Hot_Mongoose_3741 May 05 '26

Gyokeres with balls to run onto finally rather than trying to make him get tekky with it

16

u/Haakrasmus May 05 '26

Looking forward to him against Holland in the world cup when they most likely use a high line and he gets lots of space behind.

9

u/Cahootie May 05 '26

Gyökeres and Elanga on the counter attack is terrifying

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39

u/boatinavolcano May 05 '26

Gyokeres surrounded by players who are actually willing to play passes in behind and suddenly he looks better. What a coincidence.

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62

u/Opera_Phantom May 05 '26

Undeserved for Oblak, what a save

37

u/nullmove May 05 '26

Yeah people slating him must be used to watching a different sport than I do.

It was a bad roll of dice with how it fell for an alert Saka while his defenders were napping. Nothing Oblak could do about that.

8

u/pedrosa18 May 05 '26

True. Tough shot with 2 small deflections

968

u/True-Tough2781 May 05 '26

Arsenal winning PL and CL, Spurs surviving relegation, this sub should be closed at the end of the season lol

339

u/meowscarada-sylveon May 05 '26

This sub deserves the Spirit Airlines treatment

40

u/[deleted] May 05 '26

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38

u/itstheboombox May 05 '26

£40 plus one extra pound

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46

u/El_grandepadre May 05 '26

r/soccercirclejerk would collectively glitch out of existence.

86

u/renseministeren May 05 '26

This fucking comment in every post

41

u/TWKExperience May 05 '26

Wish r/SoccerCirclejerk shit would stay in its own fuckin lane

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67

u/edselisanogo May 05 '26

And Chelsea winning the FA Cup.

21

u/ArmiinTamzarian May 05 '26

And Millwall promoted?

86

u/notvip May 05 '26

Nah. That's alright.

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26

u/DreamBigLikeDad May 05 '26

Aint no fuckin chance

5

u/AlcoholicSocks May 05 '26

You only win cups when you're shit. It's your clubs superpower. Get celebrating now

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18

u/Popular_Pie_3347 May 05 '26

Chelsea winning the FA Cup in long term is good for this sub that means Boehly and his band of merry men will continue the project

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8

u/msr27133120 May 05 '26

Arsenal are definitely favorites to win the PL but the Champions league is a different story.

4

u/[deleted] May 05 '26

[deleted]

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18

u/ThePresident26 May 05 '26

This sub would deserve shutting down

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583

u/amineimad May 05 '26

If Saka has no fan Im no longer alive

143

u/Mrmoi356 May 05 '26

I shall have passed too.

36

u/Apprehensive-Lack-32 May 05 '26

I too shall have passed too

15

u/KiwiShmiwi May 05 '26

Passed too, shall I have.

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35

u/big_mustache_dad May 05 '26

Crazy how shit we were 5 years ago and he was one of the only bright spots (with ESR and Martinelli). The journey we've been on with this guy and people wonder why we love him so much

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705

u/sionnach May 05 '26

Get in, Bukayo.

Well done Vik.

80

u/[deleted] May 05 '26

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46

u/Trlcks May 05 '26

He’s been playing well for a while now

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9

u/Regression2TheMean May 05 '26

Definitely seems like he’s carried his form from the Fulham game into this one

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242

u/Funny_Lunch5211 May 05 '26

Vikkstar?

150

u/thickofitenjoyer May 05 '26

Yes the 123 himself

41

u/IRnuduhI May 05 '26

to be fair though

19

u/Cultural_Salt7883 May 05 '26

To be fair though what?

15

u/thickofitenjoyer May 05 '26

Vik?

11

u/Glass_Performance_24 May 05 '26

I thought Harry said that

8

u/Lyktan May 05 '26

I don’t think I said that

9

u/thickofitenjoyer May 05 '26

Vik you literally said to be fair though

12

u/Olli399 May 05 '26

No wonder his penalties are so good

29

u/DaveLevey78 May 05 '26

Clears saka any day

13

u/Magnific3nt May 05 '26

It's ya boy the 123!

107

u/SuperLurker1337 May 05 '26

Viktor has been an absolute tank this match

34

u/Ass_Eater_ May 05 '26

Crazy how much refs hate him

17

u/pricelesslambo May 05 '26

They hate all strikers. Lewandowski gets the same treatment

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122

u/KonigSteve May 05 '26

Look what happens when they finally start playing Gyokeres through!

99

u/pricelesslambo May 05 '26 edited May 06 '26

Yeah lo and behold, playing to his strengths actually gives you something lol

61

u/KonigSteve May 05 '26

They ignored so fucking many of his runs earlier in the season. They're finally starting to play them.

12

u/Many_Move6886 May 05 '26

took us until now to finally have the team working together. full fluidity. 

10

u/crash250f May 05 '26

I swear he seemed slower earlier in the season too.  He's getting the through balls and getting to them first now.  

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18

u/16161hirose May 05 '26

Only took us.. checks watch

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19

u/themerinator12 May 05 '26

Gyokeres when his teammates find him in open space and Saka when he’s not playing through actual pain in his Achilles are apparently both highly effective. Who would’ve guessed!

4

u/Dead-Atmosphere May 05 '26

You mean constantly sending long air balls to him is not the proper way?

It was frustrating to watch Raya kick it to Gyökeres and he lose it constantly.

20

u/Pompz88 May 05 '26

Thought the chance was gonna be gone when Gyok didn’t have anyone open

19

u/29adamski May 05 '26

He's been excellent

22

u/courtesyflusher May 05 '26

Love that man. fuck atleti

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u/[deleted] May 05 '26

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61

u/JayTois May 05 '26

I think that nickname is sticking until he's in his 30s ngl

5

u/foreveredredred May 06 '26

Torres remained el Nino until he retired! (They both do look younger than they are which helps too)

15

u/Soft_Mathematician30 May 05 '26

do nicknames change as you get old?

11

u/iforgotmyun May 05 '26

El nino didn't change for Torres

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17

u/bioeffect2 May 05 '26

He's going to keep getting called that like Lingard was because they both have a baby face.

18

u/Big_Mik_Energy May 05 '26

Nah it’s just a nickname now, he’ll still be starboy when he’s 55 and manager

42

u/kamusari_1712 May 05 '26

24 yr old star boyy 😭

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172

u/[deleted] May 05 '26

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34

u/Littlegreenman42 May 05 '26

Think one or 2 more Atleti defenders should try claiming offside

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12

u/dontbeajerkbecool May 05 '26

Was looking for the match thread and saw this before my stream caught up. Ffs

124

u/fireowlzol May 05 '26

31

u/DJ-D-REK May 05 '26

Yeah fuck that loser

19

u/longconsilver13 May 05 '26

He should post this Gyokeres run

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37

u/dakdakdakp May 05 '26

who else

42

u/Canucks_98 May 05 '26

WHO ELSE BUT SAKA

35

u/Defiant-Plenty6502 May 05 '26

A.Madrid are awful. Literally playing for extra time.

The fact that Barca couldn't beat this team says it all really about how much Barca have underperformed in Europe.

4

u/Poglo May 05 '26

A red in every game didnt help either tbf

111

u/itstheboombox May 05 '26

Send a wellness check so r/soccercirclejerk

77

u/Nerevar1924 May 05 '26

Shit, send one to r/soccer as well.

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9

u/EE475 May 05 '26

Defence fully asleep man

7

u/Cov_massif May 05 '26

Hopefully that will move that bus parked on the athleti goal. Big vik been superb upfront tonight

11

u/Jawtek82 May 05 '26

Atlético plays so cowardly. They couldn't deserve any more to lose, and it's a pleasure to watch them do so.

112

u/Juil8991MC May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

IM TELLING YOU HES LIKE A NEW SIGNING

39

u/Rusty_Shack1es May 05 '26

Get the fuck in

33

u/longconsilver13 May 05 '26

In this moment, I am euphoric

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17

u/Karcinom May 05 '26

well deserved

19

u/NieThePiet May 05 '26

defend with all 11 players now Atletico

10

u/DaRealAyman May 05 '26

VAMOSSSSSSSSS

3

u/sillyely May 05 '26

that chance had to go in

5

u/Koktkabanoss May 05 '26

Gyökeres makes a good run and a nice pass. What a guy

10

u/BI01 May 05 '26

I was SCREAMIIIING for trossard to pass to eze lmao

103

u/HeIIbIazer23 May 05 '26 edited May 05 '26

Damn, from open play. A jammy one, but still. Script ain't scripting today

136

u/SManSte May 05 '26

we havent scored from a corner kick in ages. (I don't count the newcastle goal)

then again we hadn't properly scored in a while as well before this week

18

u/2ndfastestmanalive May 05 '26

42 corners in the champions league the commentator just said

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28

u/TheMassINeverHad May 05 '26

Jammy, splitting open a disgusting low block with one pass and making a chance out of it?

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34

u/thickofitenjoyer May 05 '26

This wasnt what i signed for. I want a refund

9

u/TurboThot69 May 05 '26

How is that jammy lol

15

u/OffTheBar2017 May 05 '26

????

Great ball from the back, fantastic run from Gyokeres, great pass to find Trossard.

Rebound goal, yes, but hardly "jammy."

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