Well, how about that for a start to the season?

Jamie Vardy's double threatened the steal the show. But it was super subs Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud who saved the day as 2015-16 champions Leicester were denied victory in a stunning curtain-raiser at the Emirates.

Arsenal took the lead after 94 seconds through new boy Alexandre Lacazette. But Shinji Okazaki was quick to reply minutes later but England striker Vardy put the Foxes ahead midway through the first half.

Danny Welbeck levelled things up before the break. But Vardy - a transfer target for Arsenal last summer - silenced the hosts when his second goal of the evening.

Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring Arsenal's winning goal (
Image:
AFP)

But then substitute Ramsey grabbed an all-important equaliser before Olivier Giroud, another player brought off the bench, sealed a a memorable opening day victory for Arsene Wenger's men.

Our Chief Football Writer, John Cross, was at the Emirates to rate the players' performances below...

ARSENAL

Cech 6

Caught in no man’s land on the first, helpless on second, made some saves.

Holding 5

Looked nervy and a little shaky, not a great start to the season.

Monreal 5

Had a really bad night defensively, outjumped by Vardy on the third.

Kolasinac 7

An absolute beast. Warrior going forward as well as good in defence.
Kolsanic was more noticeable going forward than in defence (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Bellerin 6

Questions asked on Leicester’s second, always looking to get forward.

Elneny 6

Good energetic display, provided the ball for Lacazette’s opener.
Mohamed Elneny provided the ball for Lacazette’s opener (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

Xhaka 5

Two moments of madness, poor, some redemption with assists late on.

Oxlade-Chamberlain 7

Solid defensively, not much got past him, one of a few bright spots.

Ozil 5

Some nice touches, looked to set up chances but went missing too often.

Welbeck 6

Got a precious equaliser, worked hard despite not being fully fit.
Arsenal's Danny Welbeck scores their second goal past Kasper Schmeichel (
Image:
REUTERS)

Lacazette 6

What a start. Took 82 seconds to score on his debut. Promising.
Alexandre Lacazette celebrates after scoring the opening goal (
Image:
Getty)

Substitutes

Giroud, for Holding, 67 mins
Ramsey, for Elneny, 67 mins
Walcott, for Welbeck, 75 mins

Man of the match
Olivier Giroud - Saved the day for Arsenal

LEICESTER

Schmeichel 7

Made some good saves, including brave block from Bellerin. Good display.

Simpson 6

Solid and tenacious in defence, stuck to his task at right back.

Morgan 6

Strong and full of leadership qualities, battled tireless for Leicester.

Maguire 7

Played a role in Leicester’s first goal, looked big and solid. Promising.

Fuchs 6

Good defensively, disciplined and did his job very well.

Mahrez 7

Some good moments, some wayward, but always a threat.
Kolsanic was more noticeable going forward than in defence (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Ndidi 6

Worked hard, shut down space without doing much going forward.

James 6

825 days since his last Premier League start in May 2015. Did well.

Albrighton 7

Sublime crosses for Leicester’s opening two goals. Super display.

Okazaki 7

Worked tirelessly, scored and refused to give up any ball. Good.

Vardy 7

Two goals, real poacher style, plenty to prove against Arsenal.
Jamie Vardy was outstanding for Leicester, scoring twice (
Image:
Rex Features)

Substitutes

Iheanacho, for James, 82

Gray, for Albrighton, 88 mins

Amartey, for Okazaki, 72 mins, 5