Arsenal 4-3 Leicester, Premier League RECAP: Olivier Giroud clinches all three points for plucky Gunners

Arsenal came from behind to beat Leicester City in the Premier League opener on Friday night.

Oliver Giroud capped Arsenal's comeback when his header went in off the underside of the Leicester crossbar.

Leicester's Jamie Vardy produced an exceptional performance but even his two goals weren't enough to prevent the Foxes falling to defeat. 


Relive all the action as it happened with Sportsmail's TOM FARMERY. 

  • Tom Farmery

    Host commentator

21:54
That's it...

Thanks for joining me on a night the Premier League got off to a flying start. Read more about tonight's match and all the weekend's results in our new 20-page supplement in Monday's Daily Mail.

21:51

MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE EMIRATES: So now we know how Arsenal are going to do it this season. The hard way. Again. Is there really any other gameplan in this part of London.

With seven minutes to go, Arsenal trailed 3-2 and Arsene Wenger had a familiar air of irritation and gloom. We weren’t exactly in Wenger Out territory but a few more home games like this and it wouldn’t be long. Three crosses, three goals. Wasn’t three at the back supposed to make Arsenal sturdier, more reliable?

Yet from there, a famous, spirited, inspiring victory was conjured. The sort that could turn a campaign, give it a greater lift perhaps, than a comfortable 2-0. Arsenal got back in the game and then won it – thanks to two Wenger substitutions. 

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE

Olivier Giroud blows a kiss to the Arsenal supporters
21:40
Full-time: Arsenal 4-3 Leicester

Arsenal come from behind to clinch all three points. Two very poor defensive performances but what a load of fun we had. Giroud the man to get Arsenal out of trouble after a superb Ramsey equaliser. The Premier League back to its refreshing best.

21:39

94min: Morgan goes into the book for a late challenge.

21:37

93min: Schmeichel launches the ball forward but again Arsenal clear their lines before Simpson heads out for a throw.

21:36

92min: 'Na, na, na, na, na... Giroud.' The Arsenal fans chant Giroud's name. What an effect he has had on this match.

21:34

90min: Five minutes added time

Olivier Giroud heads the fourth goal for Arsenal
21:34

89min: Leicester free-kick. Played up by Mahrez but cleared by Monreal. Leicester go again with Fuchs but it's put out for a throw. Schmeichel gets lucky after sliding in for a tackle and finding himself way out of position. Arsenal can do nothing with the loose ball.

21:31

88min: Demarai Gray replaces Marc Albrighton as Leicester search for an equaliser.

21:31
GOAL: Giroud 85min (Arsenal 4-3 Leicester)

Giroud - of course it would be him - gets above Maguire and guides his header onto the bar and the ball bounces down and across the line. Horrible for Leicester but Arsenal haven't given up and have shown the resilience they've probably lacked in recent seasons.

21:27
GOAL: Ramsey 83min (Arsenal 3-3 Leicester)

Arsenal's persistence pays off. The ball flashes across the Leicester box. Ramsey keeps cool, turns to his right and fires past Schmeichel.

21:25

82min: Kelechi Iheanacho makes his first appearance for Leicester as he replaces Matty James.

21:25

81min: It's worth pointing out that Arsenal's back four now consists of Oxlade-Chamberlain, Monreal, Kolasinac and Bellerin. Doesn't really work...

21:21

78min: Desperate again from Arsenal. Xhaka overhits a pass intended for Ozil but the German was never going to get close to getting to it. Arsenal's problem tonight has been conceding possession far too easily. Leicester have lapped it up.

21:19

75min: Welbeck is replaced by Walcott. 

21:18

75min: The ball falls to Ozil but the German midfielder can't get his volley on target. Not Ozil's night.

21:15

72min: Okazaki comes off for Daniel Amartey. Leicester move to a more defensive system. Expect Vardy to play now as the lone striker.

Craig Shakespeare delivers instructions to his players during the second half
21:15

72min: Lacazette with another lovely move down the left. He cuts inside, taking Simpson with him before passing to Ozil but the German can't get his shot away before the ball is cleared.

21:12

69min: Ramsey nearly makes an instant impact. Lacazette, now on the left, plays a dangerous cross in and Ramsey gets his head to it but his effort goes wide. Ramsey seemed to get caught in the chest. He briefly goes down but is now back up again.

21:11

66min: Ramsey replaces Elneny as Giroud comes on for Holding. Arsenal changing the system. Lacazette goes to the left and Giroud pushes forward.

21:07

64min: Arsenal corner. Xhaka takes but it flashes across the box before eventually going out for a Leicester throw.

Vardy celebrates scoring his second and Leicester's third
21:06

63min: Welbeck moves beautifully into a pocket of space outside the Leicester area before threading a pass past Fuchs to Bellerin but the wing back is closed down quickly by Schmeichel. Lovely move by Arsenal.

21:04

60min: And of course if Leicester do go on and win this it will be the first time in 44 years the Foxes have won away at Arsenal.

21:03

58min: Arsenal have it all to do again. They come close to an equaliser but Lacazette is offside following Oxlade-Chamberain's shot from outside the Leicester penalty area.

21:00
GOAL: Vardy 56min (Arsenal 2-3 Leicester)

Too easy for Leicester. Mahrez able to control the ball easily, turn and then get his shot away which deflects off Monreal for a Leicester corner. Mahrez whips it in and Vardy gets ahead of Elneny and Monreal to head past Cech.

20:56

52min: Vardy looked to have broken forward as Leicester sprung the ever so effective counter attack only for Cech to come off his line and tackle the Leicester striker. Instinctive stuff from the goalkeeper.

Welbeck puts past Schmeichel for Arsenal's equaliser
20:55

50min: A minute after Ozil goes wide... Mahrez goes over. The tricky winger did well to keep the ball in but after cutting back on to his favoured left foot he lashed his effort well over Cech's crossbar.

20:53

49min: Ozil controls the back just outside the Leicester area and rather than play it wide he attempts a shot only for it to trickle harmlessly past Schmeichel's left post.

20:52

Forty-five minutes of football was all it took... #WengerOut is already trending on Twitter.

Twitter
20:51

46min: Kolasinac already looking a brilliant acquisition. The central defender really isn't holding back with his no-nonsense approach. Okazaki the latest to get a little shove in the back.

20:49
Second half underway

Leicester start the second half. No changes made by either side.

20:35
Half-time: Arsenal 2-2 Leicester

Brilliant first half of football. The Premier League is alive and kicking. Arsenal doing a lot of Leicester's work for them though. Going forward in numbers, getting to the Leicester box before losing possession. The Foxes won the title on the counter attack and tonight they're giving us a perfect rendition of that. Lapse in concentration to blame for Arsenal's equaliser. Leicester have been the better side.

Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring Leicester's second goal
20:33
GOAL: Welbeck 45min+2 (Arsenal 2-2 Leicester)

Right on the stroke of half-time. Welbeck takes advantage after Kolasinac had played the ball across the six-yard box. Leicester can't hold on to their lead and go in at half-time all square.

20:31

45min: Two minutes added on

20:31

45min: Another Leicester corner. Mahrez whips it in but Monreal heads out for a Leicester throw.

20:30

44min: Leicester corner. Taken short and played in by Albrighton but Arsenal win the ball back before Holding concedes possession.

20:28

42min: Arsenal pressing forward but can't the killer pass needed to break Leicester open. Arsenal corner. Xhaka takes. Goes short before Elneny plays the ball in but it goes out for another corner. Played short again from the left but again nothing immediately springs to mind for the Gunners as they concede possession.

20:24

38min: Arsenal free-kick. Played to Xhaka but his hopeless long range effort is cleared with ease. The Gunners getting a little desperate so very early in this match. 

20:23

36min: Sanchez in the stands. A rather miserable looking Alexis Sanchez is pictured chewing gum as he watches on at the Emirates.

Sky Sports
20:19

33min: Another attack and another chance for Leicester. Albrighton yet again gets down the left before crossing to Okazaki who heads just wide of Cech's left post. 

20:14
GOAL: Vardy 28min (Arsenal 1-2 Leicester)

Arsenal's back three have not looked comfortable and there is Jamie Vardy to exploit the problem. Albrighton broke down the left - Bellerin didn't track him - before playing the ball across the six-yard box. Holding couldn't cut the ball out before Vardy finished.

20:14

28min: Arsenal fans quickly stop singing Ozil's name after he yet again gives away possession. This time a wayward pass goes out for a Leicester throw.

20:12

26min: First signs of frustration from Arsenal fans. First Ozil loses the ball easily with a poor pass before Welbeck takes a touch too many and sees his cutback cleared.

20:09

22min: Foxes sitting back again and it nearly costs them. Ozil cuts back but Welbeck fires a left-footed shot in from close range by Maguire gets his body in front of the shot. Arsenal are enjoying plenty of possession with this 3-4-3 formation. But too often they are being careless when the ball is under their control. Leicester's logic is to wait for Arsenal to make a mistake and then break forward. It's worked so far.

Wes Morgan brings down Danny Welbeck during the first half
20:05

19min: Lacazette brought down by Maguire. Cynical by the former Hull man. Lacazette had been played through by Xhaka and the central defender clipped the heels of the striker.

20:03

17min: Vardy doing very well to part the Arsenal defence. Each time he breaks the Arsenal backline he appears to have ample of space. If only the service was better for him he'd have been through on goal by now.

20:00

14min: Oxlade-Chamberlain fires tamely at the Leicester goal. His shot easily saved by Schmeichel. Leicester are backing off, though. Arsenal are getting forward well whether that be down the centre or down the flanks. They're moving forward with confidence and the likes of Wes Morgan can't currently keep up.

Okazaki celebrates scoring the equaliser
19:58

12min: Arsenal back three lacking a little understanding. Arsenal have been practicing playing with a back three but so far it hasn't been foolproof. Kolasinac is getting drawn out wide too much and hasn't had the support of Oxlade-Chamberlain.

19:56

11min: Arsenal corner. Xhaka takes but it goes over everyone including Holding who had made a late run to attack the ball.

Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring the opener
19:55

9min: Arsenal have the game back under control. Xhaka and Elneny are forming what seems to be a fairly steady partnership at present. Ozil is also dropping a little deeper to help progress play. 

19:53

7min: Breathless stuff at the Emirates. Leicester buzzing in attack. They're swarming the wings and bypassing Arsenal's wing backs. Oxlade-Chamberlain then manages to break forward and fires over with a left-footed effort.

19:51
GOAL: Okazaki 4min (Arsenal 1-1 Leicester)

Great response by Leicester. Possibility that Okazaki was offside when he went for Albrighton's cross but play continued and the striker heads the equaliser for Okazaki after Maguire had headed back across goal.

19:48
GOAL: Lacazette 2min (Arsenal 1-0 Leicester

The perfect start for Lacazette. The ball came in and Lacazette stooped before directing his header past Kasper Schmeichel. The brilliant way to open his account for Arsenal in the Premier League.

19:47

1min: Welbeck already causing a bit of trouble for Leicester. He runs down the middle and is brought down by Morgan. Mike Dean brings play back.

19:45
Here we go...

Lacazette kicks off the new season for Arsenal

19:40
Fives minutes until the new Premier League season kicks off
19:35
New season... and some fans at least are still backing Wenger
Wenger remains a divisive figure at Arsenal
19:30
Shakespeare talks about the importance of recruitment... Maguire says he has settled quickly

Shakespare: 'It's been a busy summer. I've been included in every transfer. Recruitment is the biggest single factor of any football club. We've been busy but we're happy with the business we've done.'

Maguire: 'Changing clubs is always different. I've settled in a lot earlier than everyone else has. We'll have to be on our guard if we're going to stop Arsenal.'

19:24
Leicester's players warm up at the Emirates...
Craig Shakespeare takes a stroll at the Emirates
Leicester's Andy King warms up ahead of the Arsenal match
Jamie Vardy leads the Foxes during one training drill
19:21
Vardy and Okazaki up top... why isn't Iheanacho involved?

It's a question I imagine most Leicester fans will be asking themselves right now. The £25 million signing from Manchester City is on the bench tonight.

Shakespeare has praised Iheanacho throughout pre-season but possibly feels as though Vardy and Okazaki are a proven partnership.

Expect the Nigerian to have some sort of impact from the bench. When he did get a chance at City he largely impressed.

19:15
Lacazette will be Arsenal's main man in attack
Lacazette's shirt on show in the Arsenal dressing room
19:13
Arsenal chief exec Ivan Gazidis says club need to close gap on Premier League rivals

Gazidis: 'We have to compete to win the Premier League. We haven't been close enough in recent years. We need to recognise there is a gap but then it's about taking steps to narrow that gap.'

19:09
Wenger believes the title won't be won tonight but says it's important to start strongly

Wenger: 'We always look to build confidence and belief. That comes with a good start. I'm convinced we have not started well in previous seasons and have struggled to come back.'

19:03
Arsenal's players arrive at the Emirates...
19:02
Players, merchandise, supporters...
Leicester's players inspect the pitch ahead of tonight's game
The first half-and-half scarf of the season
Supporters walk towards the Emirates before tonight's game
18:58
The words of Craig Shakespeare ahead of tonight's game...
18:56
Inclusion of Mahrez particularly interesting... edging for a move but is still playing

It seems to be the done thing. A player who is close to a move away will suddenly become unavailable to play. We've seen it with Coutinho, Sanchez and Van Dijk... it was possible the same would happen to Mahrez but it hasn't. 

18:48
Leicester team news: Harry Maguire makes his competitive debut
18:46
Arsenal start with three at the back including Rob Holding
18:44

Finally, the Premier League is back. 

Sportsmail's expert team of reporters have run the rule over signings, scorers, the managers who are under pressure and the title contenders.

Read more here.

18:37
Team news coming up at 6.45pm
18:32
The prize that everyone is playing for...
Chelsea won it last season but who will be lifting this come the end of next May?
18:20
Signings we're likely to see tonight...

The Gunners have done what they feel has been necessary over the summer. 

Sead Kolasinac joined from Schalke while Alexandre Lacazette came in from Lyon.

For the Foxes it's been a fairly eventful last couple of months.

Harry Maguire and Kelechi Iheanacho have caught the headlines but expect Vicente Iborra to also make an impact.

18:04
Hope for the smaller teams...

As the Premier League gets started for another season we have a little stat to bring you... this is the first time seven teams who have played in England's third tier are playing in the Premier League. Manchester City, Huddersfield, Bournemouth, Brighton, Southampton, Leicester and Swansea.

17:56
Not too long to wait...
17:52
Good evening and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of Arsenal v Leicester

It is back and we're ready to go. I'd say it's been a long summer but it really hasn't. There has been that much going on from Neymar's incredible move to PSG to Jermaine Pennant joining Billericay Town. 

Tonight we focus on Arsenal v Leicester as the Premier League returns. 

Stay with me as I bring you all the build-up to tonight's match, including the game itself once it kicks off at 7.45pm. 

Merchandise outside the Emirates on Friday night
The goals are prepared ahead of Arsenal v Leicester

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