The Gunners’ season opener against Leicester was quintessential Arsenal.
We had terrible defending, midfielders going missing, Cech pretending he was never a goalkeeper, combined with some lovely moments of football and a come-back.
At least no one can say they’re surprised this time. Nothing’s changed.
Here’s how it played out.
Within minutes, Alexandre Lacazette scored his first Arsenal goal – a lovely header……
Woof imagine scoring with your shot on your debit within 2 minutes
— Leutrim Rexhaj (@LeutrimRexhaj) August 11, 2017
That's some header by the way. Hopefully the first of many. Huge fan of the arrogant celebration.
— MJ (@mj_afc) August 11, 2017
Pin point header. Cool.
— Eduardo (@redcannoned) August 11, 2017
Arsenal will win the Premier League.
— Theo Baker (@theobaker_) August 11, 2017
1 – Alexandre Lacazette has scored his 1st Premier League goal on his first shot. Dream. pic.twitter.com/qQebYfRvRZ
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) August 11, 2017
…..before Okazaki equalised thanks to some terrible defending and poor goalkeeping from Petr Cech.
4 minutes in and Cech is already having a shit season.
— S (@attwood10) August 11, 2017
That's not peak Arsenal. That's Cech acting like he's a 16 year old keeper thrown into the deep end of the PL
— Dark Gable (@Fattcheeked) August 11, 2017
Hahahahaha football
— Charteta (@Charley2385) August 11, 2017
The banter is back.
— Gingers for Limpar (@Gingers4Limpar) August 11, 2017
Cech. Mate. No.
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) August 11, 2017
Now we're back.
— Jamie Dalton (@JamieDalton82) August 11, 2017
Life as an Arsenal fan summed up in four minutes.
— Connor (@TikiTakaConnor) August 11, 2017
The opening exchanges were frenetic but not in the usual, fast-paced style of the Premier League – it just looked messy and frantic.
The new boys, however, impressed.
Sead Kolasinac, predictably, was bossing Riyad Mahrez down the wing, while Lacazette looked every inch the world class striker we’d signed from Lyon. His work rate was unreal.
Lacazette's work ethic so far has been sensational. Always the one chasing back to press from the front.
— Renato (@th14Renato) August 11, 2017
Go on…tell me how in love you are already #lacazette
— Sophie Nicolaou (@soccerdiva) August 11, 2017
Is Sead Kolasinac the anti-Diaby?
— Lee Hurley (@HLeeHurley) August 11, 2017
While others, namely Danny Welbeck, who should really be doing better in front of goal were frustrating.
Once again, sloppy defending led to a second goal from Leicester via former Arsenal target, Jamie Vardy. However, it wasn’t the shoddy defensive work from the centre-backs which led to going 2-1 down, it was Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny in midfield.
So fucking sloppy from Elneny, Xhaka, Vardy scores.
— Renato (@th14Renato) August 11, 2017
Are you dumb
— Arsène's Son (@hughwizzy) August 11, 2017
Fuck, fuck, fuckity fuck. Fuck's sake, Arsenal.
— Paulciech Szczesny (@rockthecasbah77) August 11, 2017
Leicester have had two opportunities to put a cross in, and both left Cech chasing shadows.
— Stephen Bradley (@bradley08) August 11, 2017
Dreadful. Arsenal have conceded two goals from two shots on target inside the six yard box
— Orbinho (@Orbinho) August 11, 2017
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) August 11, 2017
I regret to inform you that arsenal are at it again
— Joe Tilley (@Tilley_96) August 11, 2017
Leicester continued to dominate past the 30-minute mark as Arsenal struggled to find any semblance of organisation.
Hector Bellerin, still having trouble settling into the right-wing-back position, was leaving Rob Holding exposed, and the young centre-back looked vulnerable.
The former Bolton boy was not having a good game and you have to wonder whether it was just because the players around him weren’t giving him enough cover, or whether he let the nerves get to him a bit.
The Gunners continued to dominate possession and spend most of the first half camped in Leicester’s half but didn’t look dangerous, unlike the Foxes every time they got the ball.
Arsenal had a penalty call when the ball bounced off Ndidi’s arm but it was from close range so would have been harsh.
Arsene Wenger’s side managed to equalise before the stroke of half-time thanks to Welbz.
Kolasinac got the assist.
KOLASINAC IS A FREE TRANSFER, AND CAME UP WITH THE GOODS AGAIN THERE
— Renato (@th14Renato) August 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/896092561638440962
Kolasinac with an assist, Welbeck almost bottled his 3rd chance of the game.
— Sir Jenkinson (@theEpicGooner) August 11, 2017
How unselfish and perfect was that assist? Love him. #Kolasinac
— Arsene's Eyes (@Arsenes_Eyes) August 11, 2017
Granit Xhaka, who was named man of the match in the Community Shield against Chelsea on Sunday, was having a dodgy game, as was Elneny, as the pair kept making simple mistakes.
From getting caught flat-footed, to putting the other under pressure, it just wasn’t good.
Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was, as usual, attempting to take on the entire City of Leicester by himself and over-complicating everything.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain beats one, beats two, beats three Leicester players on the left-wing. Nippy. #AFCvLCFC
— BBC Sports Nigeria (@bbcsport_ng) August 11, 2017
If Oxlade-Chamberlain had the ability to pass/shoot he'd be worth £100m #ARSLEI
— Owen J Lloyd (@OJLloyd) August 11, 2017
Oxlade Chamberlain has so much potential to be a quality player but he's so inconsistent. #ArsLei
— Daniel Gibson (@Dan_Gibson365) August 11, 2017
The Foxes were stronger at the start of the second half and Vardy got a second goal to prove it.
Hall of famer start to the season from the defence.
— Arse2Mouse (@arse2mouse) August 11, 2017
Cech, Elneny, Holding, Bellerin all abysmal
— JB™ (@gunnerpunner) August 11, 2017
— TheTollington (@TheTollington) August 11, 2017
Total farce.
— Hayley (@HayleyWright) August 11, 2017
Minutes later, it should have been 3-3 but Bellerin decided to be selfish and refused to square it.
Finally, after an hour, Olivier Giroud game on to save the day, as did Aaron Ramsey.
Mohamed Elneny and Rob Holding were subbed off, which was interesting considering the fact that Holding was the only actual centre-back that Arsenal had on the pitch.
CBS are overrated
— Daily Cannon (@DailyCannon) August 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/mj_afc/status/896101594504118272
Centre Backs are for nerds
— Charteta (@Charley2385) August 11, 2017
No CBs? I'm 100% back in!
— Lewis (@LGAmbrose) August 11, 2017
RB at LB, 2 LB's as CB's and and whatever Ox is at RB. Please never change @Arsenal
— Jamie Dalton (@JamieDalton82) August 11, 2017
Arsenal reshuffle means they now have a midfielder at right-back, a right-back at left-back and two left-backs at centre-back.
— Tom Williams (@tomwfootball) August 11, 2017
As the game trudged into its final 20 minutes, Arsenal were a complete shambles just about all over the pitch. Apart from Lacazette.
Arsenal sub:
Walcott on, Welbeck off.#afc— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/896104822381748224
Lacazette looks a right player. Not put a foot wrong.
Shame about the other 10.
— Josh Halliday (@JoshHalliday) August 11, 2017
Thankfully, Rambo rescued a point.
Ramboooooooo!
— Paulciech Szczesny (@rockthecasbah77) August 11, 2017
That's a great goal. Unreal first touch.
— S (@attwood10) August 11, 2017
Class pass from Xhaka and what a finish.
— MJ (@mj_afc) August 11, 2017
It was none other than Big Sexy who put the Gunners ahead.
https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/896107310178643968
https://twitter.com/Squawka/status/896106357308309505
Never in doubt, etc.
— Arse2Mouse (@arse2mouse) August 11, 2017
MY GOD
— Roman Kemp (@romankemp) August 11, 2017