Arsenal 4 Leicester City 3: Olivier Giroud the hero as Premier League makes spectacular return

Olivier Giroud
Oliver Giroud's scored a magnificent header to win Arsenal the game

What is the French for “Va Va Voom?” It feels like an eternity for Arsenal since a certain striker uttered those words but two of Thierry Henry’s countrymen delivered here as the Premier League got off to another extraordinary start. A seven-goal thriller and also a Friday night fright night. And that was certainly true of Arsenal’s defending.

It was tough on Leicester and, in particular, their own striker Jamie Vardy who scored twice and was as sharp as a tack. Pop the corks, though, because the Premier League is back and just as it seemed that Vardy was again having a party there was an intoxicating comeback from Arsenal who had until then, at times, stumbled drunkenly around the pitch.

Having lost by this scoreline at home to Liverpool in the opening game of last season, a campaign so traumatic it almost finally forced out manager Arsene Wenger, they got off to a rare winning start instead with headed goals from Alexandre Lacazette and the man the club’s record, £54 million signing has been brought in to replace, Olivier Giroud, to open and close the scoring.

This was another Wenger hokey-cokey of a match. In, out, in, out. And he had to shake it all about. The manager used all three substitutes and abandoned his vaunted three-man defence to rescue this game with his two French strikers in tandem as they eventually overwhelmed Leicester.

What to make off this Arsenal? They have awesome firepower. They have extraordinary depth. And that is even with Alexis Sanchez injured and Mesut Ozil somnambulant.

Lacazette
Alexandre Lacazette made the perfect start to his Arsenal career Credit: Getty Images

They were kind of summed up by Granit Xhaka the midfield enforcer who appeared set on damaging his own side more than the opposition, losing the ball, losing his man, but then delivering a sumptuous flighted pass to pick out another substitute, Aaron Ramsey, who struck the crisp cross-shot that drew Arsenal level and led to the late cavalry charge to victory.

Leicester called foul – pointing out that Ozil handled in the build-up – but Arsenal can counter that, maybe, they should have had a first-half penalty when 2-1 down after Sead Kolasinac attempted to lift the ball over Wilfred Ndidi and it struck the midfielder’s outstretched arm.

But Arsenal cannot defend. At times they were thrilling – with Lacazette a fine addition who will score a bucket of goals – but also shocking. Indefensible in their inability to defend.

They were missing Per Mertesacker – confusingly given he was fit despite a nasty cut to the forehead – Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel and Nacho Monreal was tasked with anchoring a three-man defence while alongside him new man, a cult figure in the making, Kolasinac ended up doing Zidane flicks at the end when, really, he should have been finding Row Z rather than trying to be Zizou. But, hey, this is Arsenal.

It was some start for Lacazette. First attack. First goal. The ball was swung out to Hector Bellerin who chested it down to tee up Mohamed Elneny for the cross that was met by Lacazette, stooping to steer his header powerfully beyond Kasper Schmeichel. Just 85 seconds had elapsed. The Emirates erupted. A new hero had arrived? It looked like it especially with the striker’s cool-cat celebration. Whisper it but Ian Wright – who Lacazette has been compared to – also scored on his debut. And also against Leicester.

It seemed the visitors would be overwhelmed. But not at all. Leicester hit back with a header of their own and another that probably should have been prevented with Marc Albrighton crossing deep, goalkeeper Petr Cech caught out and Leicester’s own debutant Harry Maguire nodding it back across goal for Shinji Okazaki to beat Xhaka.

Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy looked like being the hero  Credit: EPA

Less than five minutes had elapsed – there were just 160 seconds between the goals - and there was no let up. This was the first time in the 129-history of football in this country that the top-flight had kicked off on a Friday. It was as if people could not wait and it felt like that with the rapid start. Attacks were unleashed; defences were undone.

Arsenal threatened but it was Leicester, once more, who were incisive. Again there were mistakes with Xhaka’s lazy pass intercepted by Albrighton who sped down the left and crossed for Vardy who swooped to guide the ball home. A trademark Vardy, fox in the box, strike. “We’re going to win the league… again,” chanted the gleeful Leicester supporters.

The home discontent, inevitably, began to brew. It was knife-edge football, already, and so it was a relief for Arsenal when Lacazette’s shot was smothered but the ball broke to Kolasinac (what was he doing up in the opposition penalty area?) and he calmly passed it back to Welbeck to bundle it beyond Schmeichel.

What next? Riyad Mahrez – quiet until then, maybe distracted by his transfer request – came to life. He forced a corner and took it and from it Vardy was allowed to run free by Xhaka and with Monreal reacting late he glanced his header past Cech.

Now it became frantic. A question of whether Leicester could hold on but when Ramsey struck there was still time, momentum and a wall of pressure from Arsenal. Even so it took a brilliant header to win it with Giroud finding accuracy and outstanding power to snap the ball past Schmeichel from a corner. The ball cannoned off the bar and over the goal-line before the goalkeeper clawed it out. Arsenal, too, were over the line. And the Premier League is back.

                                                                                                    

Arsenal's players celebrate

FT Arsenal 4 Leicester 3 

A few back pages will have to be ripped up there. So nearly another opening day debacle for Arsenal, but they pulled it out of the fire with late goals by substitutes Ramsey and Giroud.

2 minutes to go

Ozil tries to reach a long ball played over the top but is belatedly called offside. 

Leicester pump the ball forward but it comes to nothing. Arsenal have a free-kick after a foul by Morgan. 

Replays show that Ozil clearly took the ball down on his arm in the buil-up to Arsenal's equaliser.

3 minutes to go

Only three minutes of this to enjoy/bear. 

Five minutes added time!

Schmeichel rushed out of his goal at one end and Arsenal try to catch him out from the throw. Down the other end Vardy almost slips through behind Monreal but Cech claims. 

Giroud holds it up well, and Lacazette slips Walcott through! But criminally he is offside while looking along the line. 

Giroud's goal

87 minutes

Leicester hurl another long throw into the box but Cech comes and catches for the first time of the night. Ramsey wins Arsenal a free-kick and buy them some time. 

GOAL! 4-3

What on earth is going on here. Schmeichel made a great save to deny Lacazette but Giroud rose from the resulting corner with a towering header. Struck the bar and bounced back out from behind the goal-line. The goal line decision system did the rest.

 

Can Arsenal hang on?

GOAL! 3-3

Aaron Ramsey pops up on the second phase from a corner. Brings it down beautifully on the right corner of the six-yard box and drives it home with the outside of his right foot. A few who were getting to boo and leave might not now. 

81 minutes

Xhaka shoots from distance and the deflection takes it wide for a corner that comes to little. Iheanacho on for James for Leicester, there's lots of space on the break for him...

78 minutes

Horrible effort from Chamberlain there, skewing an effort well wide from distance and that brings an audible groan from the Emirates crowd. 

 

76 minutes 

Xhaka tires to lift a ball over the top for Ozil, but it is too strong. Leicester have done a good job of slowing Arsenal's momentum now.

73 minutes

Mesut Ozil has looked a shadow of himself tonight. Wenger might regret gambling on his fitness. Leicester spring a promising break, but Kolasinac steps in with a fine tackle. 

Oxlade Chamberlain drives a shot across goal, and the deflection takes it wide from a corner.

Moments later, a deep ball into the box finds its way to Ozil who skews a half volley wide of the near post. 

70 minutes

Lacazette finding space down the left again, his cross is hooked back towards the edge of the box where Xhaka tries an acrobatic volley. Never looked likely. Daniel Amartery and Kelechi Iheannacho ready to come on for Leicester. 

SUBS

Rob Holding off, Oliver Giroud on. Mohamed Elneny off, Aaron Ramsey on. Bellerin has gone across to left back by the looks of things, with Chamberlain switching to the right. 

The change almost has a immediate impact, Lacazette's cross finds Ramsey but he heads wind under pressure from Maguire. 

64 minutes

Kolasinac looks for Chamberlain on the overlap but over hits the pass and it runs out. Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud ready to enter the fray. 

62 minutes

Leicester have retreated now which I don't think is the best policy. Splendid play around the box by Arsenal, Welbeck slips Bellerin in the right channel who perhaps ought to have squared it. Went for goal and Schmeichel smothered it. 

60 minutes

Arsenal still coming back for more. Chamberlain fires a shot from 25 yards straight at Schmeichel who parries but Lacazette was offside on the rebound. 

57 minutes

Mahrez whips in a fine delivery from the corner and Vardy rises at the near post to glance past Cech. Non-existent marking from Arsenal, though it should be said they use a zonal system. Missing Mertesacker and Giroud's presence in there. 

GOAL 3-2 LEICESTER!

Vardy nods Leicester in front from a corner.

55 minutes

Arsenal very nearly punished for giving the ball away cheaply again. Bellerin and Kolasinac culprits this time and Mahrez fired a right-foot shot at goal from 25 yards. Corner. 

53 minutes

What a piece of goalkeeping from Petr Cech! Xhaka and Elneny got their wires crossed and Leicester broke. Mahrez sprayed a marvellous ball over the top and Vardy was streaking away from Monreal towards goal. Cech came sprinting out in kamikaze fashion but it was worth the risk as he picked the ball off Vardy's toe with a sliding tackle. 

50 minutes

Ozil lines up a shot from 25 yards which is unusual for him, and he drags it well wide of the post. Safe to say the xG was not very good on that one. 

Mahrez picks up a loose ball close to the right corner flag and balloons a cross into the top tier. 

48 minutes 

Positive start by Leicester in this half. Lacazette's debut goal might take the headlines, but Harry Maguire has look immense for Leicester at centre back. 

Arsenal enjoying some comfortable midfield possession. 

We're under way again

Leicester kick us off in the second half, and neither side has made any changes.

What to make of that?

Arsenal have looked dynamic going forward, with new boy Lacazette showing his class. The makeshift back three of Holding-Monreal-Kolasinac did well at Wembley against Chelsea but Leicester have been far more intense and direct. Holding in particular has been all at sea. 

Leicester have waited for Arsenal to make errors before pouncing and playing the ball into space early. 

Don't rule out a 4-4 here. 

Leicester have targeted Arsenal's right flank

 

Shots on goal

HT Arsenal 2 Leicester 2

As the kids say, The Barclays is back.

Five-a-side stuff from Arsenal

Xhaka picked the ball up on the left and played a cute reverse pass to Ozil around the edge of the D. The German tires to feed Lacazette who falls over, but the ball squirmed through into the path of Kolasinac who rolled the ball to Welbeck who had an easy task to find an open goal. 

Leicester seemed to stop looking for an offside.

GOAL! 2-2

Scruffy goal, but Danny Welbeck levels.

45 minutes

Fuchs hurls a long throw into the Arsenal area that almost flies all the way in before Cech palms it away. It was a foul on the goalkeeper, and surely it wouldn't have counted anyway. 

43 minutes

Another superb in-swinging cross by Albrighton but Chamberlain makes a terrific recovery header to take it off Mahrez's head.

Holding tries to stroll out with the ball again, but gives the ball away in a miss-communication with Bellerin

41 minutes

Xhaka releases Bellerin for an Arsenal counter-attack and Chamberlain's cross deflects out for a corner.

Corner reaches Kolasinac who smashes the ball against Ndidi's arm, but he was too close for it to be a penalty.

39 minutes

Arsenal are not quite sure whether to throw bodies forward in search of an equaliser or just get through to half-time and re-group. 

36 minutes

 Alexis Sanchez watches on. 

33 minutes

Rob Holding was one of the finds of the season last term but is having a nightmare so far. Tries to bring the ball out from the back and play a line-splitting pass but it is cut out. 

Okazaki gets on the end of another left-wing cross and nods just wide.

31 minutes

More problems down Arsenal's right hand side. Mahrez gets free down that flank and swings a ball across Arsenal's area. Chamberlain and Kolasinac give the ball away in quick succession. 

Leicester turnaround

Albrighton gets down the left and whips a wicked ball across Arsenal's six yard box. Vardy nips in front of Kolasinac and slams the ball into the roof of the net with his left foot. 

GOAL! 2-1 Leicester

Jamie Vardy puts Leicester ahead.

26 minutes

Two good chances for Arsenal. First, Welbeck exchanged passes with Ozil on the edge of the penalty area. The Englanf man hesitated, and his shot was blocked but he pounced on the loose ball and got to the bar-line but the cut-back evaded everyone. 

Moments later Kolasinac fired a half-volley straight at Schmeichel.

Leicester's goal

24 minutes 

Arsenal not letting Leicester out to counter-punch as often now. Lacazette a little stupid there by pushing Albrighton in the back right in the corner, eases the pressure somewhat. The Frenchman has been very impressive so far, very economical in possession.

21 minutes

The game resembled a school playground for a while, perhaps due to all that pent-up tension. 

It has settled down into a more serene rhythm now with Arsenal dictating possession, and Welbeck spurns a good chance after Ozil's pull-back in the box. In his defence it was a fine block by Maguire. 

Touch maps

18 minutes

Positive dart forward from Chamberlain after Xhaka switched the play. His low cross took a deflection and it just wouldn't fall for one of the Arsenal bodies in the penalty area.

Kolasinac nips in to set Arsenal away on the break, and Lacazette shows good strength to swivel away from Maguire and win a foul 

16 minutes

Gary Neville spoke in worrying tones about this Arsenal back three, and he has been proven right so far. Difficult for Wenger to do anything about it really, there just isn't the personnel available. On the positive side, they are threatening themselves. Ozil looks a little off the pace, perhaps due to a lack of minutes.

13 minutes

Holding again looks anxious as he fouls Okazaki. Arsenal looks a bag of nerves back there. Leicester will be asking them to commit more and more bodies forward.

10 minutes

Arsenal get themselves going again through the passing of Granit Xhaka and enjoy some territory in the Leicester defensive third.  Leicester will be happy to draw Arsenal out on the evidence of the early stages, however. The hosts look vulnerable to early balls over the top.

8 minutes

As you will gather, this game is wide open. Leicester causing Arsenal all manner of problems down their left-hand side, with Vardy pulling into the space behind Rob Holding. 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drives forward and gets a left-footed drive off, but was always rising. 

GOAL! 1-1 

Leicester pushed forward straight away in search of an immediate response and have found it. Marc Albrighton swung the a deep cross in from the right and Harry Maguire headed the ball back across goal for Shinji Okazaki to nod home from five yards.

Debuts do not get much better than that

What a start for Alexandre Lacazette. Arsenal switched play from left-to-right and found Hector Bellerin. He cut the ball back to the supporting Mohamed Elneny whose clipped cross was met by the head of Lacazette, who glanced the ball into the left-hand corner from six yards out.

We're off 

Alexandre Lacazette kicks us off and we are under way in the 2017-18 Premier League. Arsenal shooting towards the Clock End.

Teams on their way out

England boss Gareth Southgate has plum position in the director's box, which is more than Roy Hodgson got when he returned to Anfield as Three Lions manager. 

A loud bellow of 'COME ON BOYS' from Wes Morgan, and the two sides make their way onto a typically immaculate Emirates surface. 

Matty James is making his first competitive start for 825 days for Leicester with Danny Drinkwater injured.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jan Molby in attendance

Credit: PA

Warm-ups now over

The players (and Gary and Kelly) head off the pitch with kick-off less than 10 minutes away. 

Craig Shakespeare speaks

Sky have a few tricks up their sleeve for the new season, and now Neville and new presenter Kelly Coates are interviewing Shakespeare on the pitch in the middle of a warm-up. Sounds very pleased with the business Leicester has done, and new signing Harry Maguire starts tonight while Vicente Iborra is out injured.  

Why wouldn't you want a life-size cut-out of Arsene Wenger?

Credit: Reuters

Is that a pig flying overhead? No, its Ivan Gazidis giving an interview 

Gary Neville has the great privilege of grabbing a word with Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis, who says success for Arsenal this season is challenging seriously for the title. Says clubs such as Monaco, Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla are inspirations that show creativity and intelligent policy can trump spending.

He also claimed Arsenal could not find a manager in Europe that matched the Frenchman's credentials. 

Wenger speaks

Credit: Getty Images

Wenger says Arsenal have enjoyed a smoother pre-season than in previous years when they have come a cropper on the opening day. Incidentally, Arsenal's three league titles under Wenger all came after tournament-less summers (1998, 2002 and 2004). 

They made it through boot-camp, but were voted off at judges' houses

Credit: PA

Two left backs in Arsenal's back three

Per Mertesacker has not recovered from the facial injury sustained in the Community Shield, and with Laurent Koscielny suspended, Gabriel injured and Shkodran Mustafi light of training, Arsenal are a little short at the back. 

Nacho Monreal, one of the league's unsung heroes, did not put a foot wrong when shuffling across to the middle of the three at Wembley. Sead Kolasinac will play on the outside of the trio, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the unusual position of left wing-back. 

Leicester's attack is not the tallest and built upon speed, so it might not be the worst night to flood the side with full-backs. 

Sky's coverage is about to start shortly, and it looks like Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville are now interviewers as well as pundits. 

Conservatism from Shakespeare?

A few surprises in both line-ups tonight. Kelechi Iheanacho and Damarai Gray both start on the bench, and the plan might be to stay in the game for as long as possible before unleashing their pace and trickery late on. 

Mahrez getting the nod is a huge call given that he appeared on the verge of a move to Roma only days ago and has publicly stated his desire to leave. 

Arsenal starting XI and subs

Leicester starting XI

Mesut Ozil is at the Emirates

The German is struggling with an ankle problem, but returned to full training on Wednesday and was in the squad that stepped off the coach at the Emirates' underground car park. 

No sign of Aaron Ramsey on the pictures I saw, but perhaps he was lingering on his way in. 

Arsenal's last seven opening day results

  • Liverpool 1 Arsenal 1 (2010)
  • Newcastle 0 Arsenal 0 (2011)
  • Arsenal 0 Sunderland 0 (2012)
  • Arsenal 1 Aston Villa 3 (2013)
  • Arsenal 2 Crystal Palace 1 (2014)
  • Arsenal 0 West Ham 2 (2015)
  • Arsenal 3 Liverpool 4 (2016)

Sky keeping Gary Neville busy or Arsenal Fan TV's new presenter?

Credit: AFP

A good omen?

The last time Arsenal began a Premier League campaign at home to Leicester, they reached the UEFA Cup final (1998-9). Thierry Henry made his Arsenal debut that day as a half-time substitute and another French striker, Alexandre Lacazette does the same tonight. 

Preview

A summer of listless weekends and vacant weeknights is finally brought to a close this evening as the Premier League returns with Arsenal against Leicester City at the Emirates.

Starting the season under floodlights on a Friday is a novelty, though Arsenal fans will recall one of the greatest nights in their history was played out on a balmy Friday night - when Michael Thomas' goal won the first Division One title when it was up for grabs at Anfield in 1989. 

The consensus holds that Arsene Wenger's side face another slog to make the top four, with most predictions pegging them around fifth or sixth. Reasons for skepticism include the campaign's punctuated rhythm due to Europa League football, doubts over the futures of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, and the usual tendency to play like utter strangers in November and March. 

The case for the defence: their improvement since Wenger switched to a 3-4-2-1, overcoming Manchester City and Chelsea to win the FA Cup and the promising first impressions of Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette. 

Credit: AFP

Arsenal have won just one of their last seven opening weekend fixtures (2-1 at home to Crystal Palace in 2015), and Leicester could prove awkward opponents. 

It remains to be seen if their revival under Craig Shakespeare was anything more than a dead cat bounce, but the 2016 champions have bought well this summer - the £25m capture of Kelechi Iheanacho is particularly exciting. 

With the Nigerian, Jamie Vardy and Damarai Gray at their disposal, the visitors have the speed and trickery to hurt Arsenal on the break on a night when they are likely to see little of the ball. 

The hosts are without Sanchez due to an abdominal injury, while Ozil and Aaron Ramsey trained fully on Thursday despite carrying niggles. 

We shall find out soon if Wenger gambles on their fitness when team news is official confirmed. 

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