Arsenal defeated Leicester City 4-3 in a dramatic opening game last Friday at the Emirates Stadium.
Friday was a real roller coaster ride, reports Arsenal.com. What was only the first game of the season felt like a hugely important late season outing. Under the Emirates lights, Arsenal conspired to concede three sloppy goals against Leicester, only to rally back and win 4-3.
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Danny Welbeck beats Leciester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel to socre the 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danny Welbeck;Kasper Schmeichel
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Danny Welbeck of Arsenal takes on Wilfred Ndidi and Matty James of Leicester during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: (L) Danny Welbeck celebrates scoring the 2nd Arsenal goal with (R) Sead Kolasinac during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Danny Welbeck;Sesd Kolasinac
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
- (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Mesut Ozil of Arsenal breaks past Danny Simpson of Leicester during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mesut Ozil;Oezil;Dany Simpson
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Alex Lacazette scores the 1st Arseal goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Alex Lacazette celebrates scoring the 1st Arsenal goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Alexandre Lacazette celebrates scoring a goal for Arsenal with Granit Xhaka and Danny Welbeck during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Alexandre Lacazette; Granit Xhaka; Danny Welbeck
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Sead Kolasinac of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sead Kolasinac
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Olivier Giroud scores Arsenal’s 4th goal under pressure from Wes Morgan of Leicester during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Olivier Giroud; Wes Morgan
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Olivier Giroud celebrates scoring the 4th Arsenal goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
- (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
- LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 11: Petr Cech of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Petr Cech
It started off perfectly, with Alexandre Lacazette scoring a perfect header just two minutes into the game. With that first goal out the way, the fans looked forward to Arsenal going on to get a comfortable opening day victory for once.
But this is Arsenal, an Arsenal with a makeshift backline. Leicester’s delivery into the Arsenal penalty area was on point and Arsenal had no answers.
Shinji Okazaki grabbed a quick equaliser as the Foxes outnumbered us at the back post. Then, Jamie Vardy put the visitors 2-1 ahead by tapping in a perfect Marc Albrighton cross after Granit Xhaka gave away the ball.
Sead Kolasinac and Danny Welbeck combined to score the equaliser just before half-time, which steadied the nerves at the Emirates. That was until Vardy scored his second in the second half by taking advantage of some statuesque defending during a corner.
Substitute Aaron Ramsey levelled the score again with a quality finish into the far corner. Olivier Giroud, also a substitute, then rose above Wes Morgan and Harry Maguire to head in the winning goal.