Arsenal: Cech, Holding, Monreal, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Xhaka, Elneny, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Welbeck, Ozil, Lacazette
Subs: Ospina, Mustafi, Coquelin, Ramsey, Iwobi, Giroud, Walcott
—
Arsenal’s Premier League campaign got off to a winning start after what was a puslating 4-3 win over Leicester City at the Emirates this evening.
There was no Per Mertesacker after his injury against Chelsea, meaning Nacho Monreal was the man to anchor the defence with Rob Holding and Sead Kolasinac either side of him. Mesut Ozil returned to the starting line-up, and new boy Alexandre Lacazette unsurprisingly got the nod up front.
And what a start the Frenchman had to his Arsenal career, opening the scoring in the second minute. Hector Bellerin played it back to Elneny, he crossed it first time, and Lacazette held off Wes Morgan and planted a header into the bottom corner. 1-0.
The lead barely lasted two minutes when Leicester equalised after a short corner. The visitors kept the ball in at the back post, heading the ball back into Okazaki who rose highest with Cech in no-man’s land to head home. 1-1.
It was end to end stuff, with Oxlade-Chamberlain shooting over and then tamely into the arms of the keeper, while Leicester looked threatening whenever they came forward.
Danny Welbeck got on the end of a beautiful Arsenal move but saw his goalbound effort blocked by Harry Maguire. The England man caused more problems in their box but his pull back was cleared, before Schmeichel saved well from Kolasinac as the Gunners looked to go ahead again.
However, despite most of the possession and the chances, it was the visitors who struck again. Xhaka gave the ball away in midfield, Leicester crossed from the left, Vardy got between Monreal and Kolasinac to finish from close range. 1-2.
It might have been worse moments later when Okazaki headed just wide as the Arsenal defence struggled to cope with Leicester’s movement in the final third. The Gunners had to survive a series of corners and long throws as the first half drew to a close, but in injury time we found a way through to equalise.
Ozil played it to Lacazette in the box, he held it up, the ball rebounded to Kolasinac who played it to Welbeck who just about got the ball out from under his feet to stab it home and make it 2-2 at the break.
There were no changes from either manager for the second period, and Arsenal had the first attempt on goal, unfortunately Ozil could only drag his shot wide. Cech came miles out of his goal to make a timely tackle on Vardy, and more carelessness at the back meant the Arsenal keeper had to be alert to tip a Mahrez shot over the bar.
However, from the resulting corner Vardy was given a free header, and the England international put Leicester back in front. 2-3.
Oxlade-Chamberlain saw a shot saved by the keeper as Arsenal tried to respond, Bellerin had a great chance when played through by Welbeck only for Schmeichel to save, and Arsene Wenger made his first changes of the evening bringing on Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud for Elneny and Holding.
It meant going to a back four with Bellerin at left back and Oxlade-Chamberlain at right back. Lacazette set up Ozil but the German’s shot was poor, as was his effort a few minutes later when he had a real sight of goal but again cut his shot wide. That prompted the manager into his final change, Walcott coming on for Welbeck with 15 minutes to go.
Xhaka had a shot deflect wide for a corner as Leicester sat ever deeper, and from another corner Arsenal fashioned an equaliser. The ball came out to Xhaka, he played it with the outside of his foot to Ramsey in the box whose first touch was superb, and lashed the ball home to make it 3-3 in the 83rd minute.
Seconds later Schmeichel denied Lacazette with a brilliant save, but from the resulting corner Arsenal went ahead from a brilliant Giroud header which went in off the underside of the bar. 4-3. Unbelievable stuff.
The game headed into five minutes of added time, with Leicester trying everything to get back into it. Kolasinac did an amazing double drag-back from inside his own half, Giroud got back to help out his defence and in the end what looked like a most unlikely win was ours on the opening day.
Blimey, welcome back Arsenal. My heart though.
#yagunnersya!
OH MY GIROUD
Can we start chanting him Arsenal’s super man instead of having the media brand super sub Giroud!!! And the season has started!!!! Yaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lacazette’s going to be good. Very. Very. Good.
Shmichel saved his shit with a brilliant dribbling and make 3 defenders sit to their ass and shooting superbly but fingertip save for schmihel, but it was giroud who provide him with a chance and after the corner came and it was well deserved goal for giroud.
Absolute footballer
Lacazette announced his arrival in the 2nd minute with his 2nd touch Wow ! We’ve really got one hell of a player in our hands..
We certainly have! I heard a new Lacazzette song tonight. It goes like this:
Laca-zzette, he’s the new Ian Wright
He makes Harry Kane
Look like a load of shite!
LEDGE.
That header wasn’t easy from that far out. But Giroud made it look so because he is the best header in the league. What an underrated player our HFB is ! We’re lucky to have him and Laca together in our team. Now let’s stop this talk of Giroud leaving. The man is irreplaceable .
Very possibly the best header in the world right now
A certain someone called Cristiano Ronaldo might disagree but yep HFB is truly one of the best.
Not sure if i over celebrated or not!?
Gotta be one of the best opening games of the season for a long while.
Thought everyone played well up front. Also thought Elneny who doesn’t always get lots of plaudits was great in the first half, making interceptions and winning the ball back constantly.
If you have two full backs as CBs then you will probably leak goals like we did.
And yet holding was the weak link
This needs to be looked at. He gave away two goals in first half
No chance.
Cech is at fault for the first goal & Xhaka for the second
Thought Xhakas leaky pass put us under pressure for no reason which led to goal. But for sure Holding needs Kos to guide him for now. But we won, Holding will learn, 3points in bag…now RUN!!! COYG
He did, but this will be addressed, plus not all teams press / trap as well as LCFC. Kept his head up, and needs to until others get healthy.
Don’t want to put blame on holding but I think most will agree it wasn’t his best game, needs experience in beside him at back but he is a future captain of Arsenal and England no doubt
He was horribly exposed by an absent defensive and defensive midfield on the right side – hope it doesn’t dent his confidence too much.
He needed his manager to mend the broken game plan after 10 minutes as Leicester had sussed it and were exploiting it.
With a makeshift central defence in place you don’t set a team up for gung-ho attacking. A Sunday league pub team manager could sort that out.
Steep mental learning curve for the lad, but OG99 saved his bacon. Think we had a roller coaster?
Better to make costly mistakes in a game you win. Maybe concentration…..while we train a new generation of defenders i.e. U23, they need to know it’s ok to hoof the ball, when in doubt, hesitant, or simply a high risk situation, boot it! Put ya foot thru it! Taxi!
With 3 speed merchants up top, hoofing it could easily lead to a pre-assist/assist for the right team.
Yeah, how dare the 20-year-old (who might not even be in the first 11 when everyone’s fit) not be perfect!!1!
1 of Kos or Per (or even a Mustafi) and we don’t let 3 goals in. We had 10 shots on target, 27 attempts and 70% possession.
My fav part was that the crowd did not turn on the team. At least on TV it didn’t sound that way.
COYG!!! 3 points finally from the 1st game.
I thought Ozil was pretty crappy throughout. Hopefully just an offday. He tried hard, but not much came off.
Not match fit…
#fuckOFFpiersmorgan
and whoever the feck that was co-commentating on sky…
That was one hell of an opening game, the Emirates was LOUD! And while I’m really glad for the 3 points can someone explain why Walcott always gets game time? He barely contributes anything, poor work rate, poor first touch, strayed offside and called for the ball while there.
It was infuriating to see him come on at a time like that. Pretty much the last person you want to put on when you need intensity
why? he gets goals.
I think it’s more that he really needs space to be at his most effective, which wasn’t happening. He does, in fairness, also have a good snap shop.
Is that what he’s been doing in his spare time? Working at a photograph store?
yes and Iwobi is a much better option! He should start before Welbeck every day
Na Na Na Na Giroud !!
KOLADINHO
Somebody give Kolasinac a fucking medal. Jesus.
That alone was worth the admission money! Or in my case, the £30 I’m giving that old Aussie fucker every month.
Literally made the game 11 v 10. Mahrez had no idea what hit him.
During that one run of play where Kolasinac kept terrorizing Mahrez till he pooped the ball over the touchline in terror: was it just me or did anyone else wonder if Saed was actually going to eat him?
YES
Lacazatte is gonna score a lot of goals!! He has that in him! And that last chance before Giroud scored… Great game ! Totally worth staying up till 2:45 in the morning! Ox was great! And how good it was seeing Bellerin on the left! And to turn it around with a back four including three fullbacks and ox? Just awesome! Fuck those defensive mistakes! We won and that is all that matters! Great weekend ahead! COYG!
They started free streaming on Hotstar!!!! I was surprised…
More like Kolasmash. The guy’s the beast!
KolasinAction !
First game of the season. 3 points in the bag. Get in my son!
I’m too old for this tension! My heart won’t last the season!! COYGs
And breathe…….
Well in you Gunners! New signings look decent, Xhaka and Elneny need to get a grip, quickly and fuck that Golem, pikey, grifting cunt faced twat Vardy. Take your Drum and Bass, white lighting arse back to Leicester.
Xhaka get a grip ? Were you watching the same game as he was superb and Elneny wasn’t bad either.
Im sorry but Xhaka was not superb, at all
Just because he made some nice passes forward and some Hollywood one’s made him look good doesn’t make him superb, losing possession of the ball in your own third 4 times and being at fault for 2 of there goals means you haven’t had a good game as a CM
ABSOLUTE SCENES, GET IN!!!!
Go easy on Holding and any of the back three. That wasn’t even sellotaped together, that was thrown together and blu tacked!
Kolasinac is awesome, love him already!
Ox was everywhere, driving forward, shooting. Sign him up!!
Lacazette is so mobile, he wasn’t being bullied either, winning the ball back on numerous occasions! Oh and of course scoring on his proper debut.
But we still need goals, Giroud tells Wenger to hold his beer……
NA NANA NAAAA GIROUD
I gave away two tickets for the world athletics championship for this. Never in doubt
The defence first choice or not was shambles. Some of the goals should.never have been.conceded by a team challenging for the league. I can only hope that koscielny mustafies return will make it better. Lacazette was absolute class. His runs touch were all good. And kolasinac fukn beast . ox had a good game too. And this might be the season we see our old Ramsey back. And finally a bog shout out to welbeck who did everything right today and even scored a goal . if only he gets that goalscoring touch he could be one hell of a… Read more »
“Ox had a good game”?
He was outstanding… (at least)
I agree. His moves don’t always come off, but i just love his running, his effort, his attitude, and most of the time, his end product. Sign him up.
He was outstanding, including, I thought, defensively.
Why thumbs down for a very true comment from Clins
I think Bellerin playing so high put too much pressure on Holding to make plays with the ball at his feet, which he just isn’t ready for. Every goal of Leicester’s could be attributable to untidiness in moving from the back three into the center of the park*, as we didn’t have a free ball carrier to let the game settle down well after a Leicester attack–it was (usually) the second wave that gave frights. This is symptomatic of Wenger’s systems regardless of shape, usually–he prefers having his players higher up to put pressure on the opposition’s backline. It’s not… Read more »
Leicester won the league season before last playing the way they played tonight. We had the perfect start and should’ve been able to win easily after the early goal but Cech was awful for their first goal even if he had no help from ox/kolasinec. After that they went back to their counter attack football. This was a game we could easily have lost and may well have done in previous seasons but we were so strong from the bench. Can’t wait to see giroud/lacazette start up front in a 4-4-2 Brilliant stuff, so happy we got 3 points! Let’s… Read more »
Spot on ! Although more basic mistakes were ultimately contributory to the mess we got into, our defensive right side (Holding) was completely open and exposed throughout the first half by the positions taken up by Bellerin. I do not blame him, he was clearly following instructions. Wenger took far too long to sort that one tactical error. Thank heavens he finally saw the light, and if I see a better header than Ollies this season it will probably be anither one from him !!
Well said! Too much space down the right made inexperienced Holding looked nervous and shaky. actually thought Bellerin had a bad game if he is not instructed to play so high up. Kola is not a CB at all. He made more defensive mistakes than holding in the 1st two goals. Would love to see him play as a lwb and ox on right. Btw pls just pay whatever ox demands. If right money comes (50+mil) please sell Sanchez and buy someone who wants to play for us! We also have to reinforce midfield. Xaha had two assists but apart… Read more »
I thought Holding wasn’t helped by the fact that right from having the ball at Cech’s feet, he was already at a right winger’s position. Then he got rattled and had 2 bad passes. After the break, Bellerin was a bit deeper at the build up phase before bombing forward.
I think Holding is strong enough to recover from this. I just hope he won’t be shunted aside like what happened to Chambers.
Btw, where was Chambers in a match that needed centre halves?
We are a fucking mess of a football club but fuck that was a ride and you have to take it after playing so badly. I love Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud
One down; 37 gut-wrenching games to go.
Aside from Alexis. the most important piece of business arsenal can do before the window shuts is keep Giroud.
Also how does welbeck get a game ahead of Iwobi in the 2 positions behind the striker.
Because of his Sheer Power and strength and also Arsene might be a bit frightened of keeping him on the bench
Because Welbeck has more experience and does not lose the ball as often as Iwobi. However, Iwobi will only improve and I am convinced will become a significant playmaker for Arsenal when Özil goes at the end of the year on a free.
because welbeck who scored today bangs in more goals than talented iwobi rightnow.
he’s scored 14 goals since joining us. not exactly a proven goal scorer is he ?
Welbeck bangs in goals, looool. I am even surprised he scored 14, half of it must be his first year.
Totally agree, Iwobi creates so much moore
Iwobi doesn’t have Wellbz power yet, it will come, hopefully, with time and experience, but he still has decision making problems on the end of his runs and dribbles, a bit like Ox.
Manager wanted to add a bit of height I guess. Danny is strong, quick and good on the ball. Certainly Iwobi is a great option as well if not better given he has better techniques and creativity. So it really depends on the game who shall play as start xI.
“Victoria Concordia Crescit”
‘Victoria Concordia heart attack’
There was nothing harmonious about this one though.
Victoria Chaos Crescit more like
4-4-2 please. I want two forwards.
And relax!!
Scenes on toast. Where do you start with that.
Club captain not even 6th choice CB
Arsenes had a western but fucking great result. Celebrated that 4th goal like it was a cup winner!
Ridiculous start to the season
Err no. Club captain got his head split open 5 days ago. If he were fit tonight, he plays
What a thriller!
Crazy game. Crazy start for Lacazette.
Na, na na, na na na naaaa.
That was the loudest Emirates I’ve seen in some time.
Great game!!!
It is concerning how this team is incapable of defending when Kos is out
and Mert
and Mustafi
and Gabriel
we were literally playing without CBs, take it easy on the boys. and that was a classic, right there 🙂
World cuo winning club capt who had a blinder in the fa cup final on the bench …
Probably not the safest idea to head balls with about ten 5 day old stitches on your forehead?
Why don’t you check your facts first?he wasn’t on the bench, a week ago got 8 stitches in his head and got medically told not to risk it.
And Chambers
Mert is the leader and organizer. Kosh is just an amazing defender.
And Debuchy…… OK maybe not
Rob Holding had a shocker but I back him to bounce back.
And me ?
That’s was excruciating I’ve got so much tension in my neck that wasn’t there 105minutes ago.
The great entertainers
Oxlade Chamberlain was different class
easily my MOM
Two great subs.
Giroud not for sale at any price
COYG
No, Oxlade Chamberlain was not anywhere Motm good because there was no end product with his game. Not his fault for playing on the wrong side of the pitch. He would have destroyed them if he played on the right
I’d play Ox over Bellarin as rwb next game based on that performance.
Ox showed great pace and absolutely commendable spirit tonight, but there is so little end result.
i got my private ambulance on stand-by below my building for whole season..
Reminding us why we love this football club!
Come on you FUCKING reds!
We could probably juggle between 2 and CBs through the season if we wanted to, but I don’t see Wenger going for that. Maybe I’ll be surprised. Might be more likely that we keep a four at the back system for instances like tonight.
But that fucking win was delicious. Oooh yes. More of that please.
friday night football. bloody hell.
Yes, but a win like that makes the best start to the weekend!!!
Wow what a game… My outlook for the season changed more times than I can count in 90 mins! A question though, if Wenger thinks Ox LWB and Bellerin RWB is the better way round to do it, why swap them when we moved to a back 4?
Think it was to play to the ox’s strengths and bellerin adding some defensive stability
Has OX ever crossed from the left? I think his dominant foot is right. With Giroud on, maybe Wenger needed crosses?
I am just guessing. I am as befuddled with that as you are.
Completely agree. I assumed it was because he felt Hector was the more experienced of the two and therefore could best handle the more defensive-oriented back 4 lineup. And it seemed to actually work out ok. More luck than judgement i feel. Anyway COYG.
Coz Holding had to come off and Ox had to calm defense down on that flank. Bellerin not at his best.
Phew!!! COYG!!! All sorts of craziness.
I guess this is more a summary of our last season than the coming one… strong start,sloppy middle, crazy finish…. the news is we won the opening game, great tram effort to comprendre stupid mistakes. 3 points. 1st Lacazette goal, Giroud’s winner, masterpriece from Le Boss…. what else?
Hell yessssssss !!!!
“team effort…. to compensate”
From Wenger out to in.
Kill me
Firstly: YERSSSSIUSFIUHF GIROUUUUD
Secondly: Bellerin needs bench time & a haircut
Considering the makeshift back three, I’ll take that all day long.
Giroud – as reliable as ever. I genuinely feel a goal from that man is more likely than not!
Lacazette – looking very sharp indeed, quick feet, good movement, instant finish.
A word for Ramsey – again he delivers.
And Ozil had the ball tied to his shoes I thought
Agree…but think that the Ox is very worthy of a shout too. Thought he was superb & worked tirelessly all night…LWB…RB my word. Surprised by how well Bellerin did when put on the left too.
Apparently it was all about the ‘handball’
Those Mesut handball replays were fucking annoying. No surprises there. We got to stick together this season. I still haven’t gotten over the Alonso foul on Bellerin last season.
Yeah and not a word about the Okasaki goal which was offside!
me neither man, that was assault.
what about the Leicester handball that should have been a penalty? his hand was above his shoulder, not a very natural position.
That is a really key point. Any arm that high should be a pen regardless of distance from the ball, unless there is a rule change I have missed?
I guess we need Per or Kos back real soon. But 3 points for a start yesh!
What the fuck was that, Arsenal? I died, like five times in 90 minutes. And then lived again.
And for the love of God, will we ever learn to defend corners? I wish they’d just practice defending corners in training from now on. And also, I think we need the Kos-Mert pairing in defense. Mert, is one of the best interceptors of the ball I’ve seen, and his positioning compensates for his lack of pace.
But, a win is a win, and what a way to start the season!
Loved Lacazette, Giroud, and Kolasinac. COYG!!
Never in danger!
I missed all this stuff so much
ARSENAL!
#Believe.
What a gut wrenching finish to an absolute thriller. Giroud you beauty!!! Kolasinac is going to be one of our legends, what a player. Lacazette looking brilliant too. Rambo for president!!! Some horrendous defending on display and errant passing but I’ll let it slide by.
The premier league is on!!
Arsene Wenger
10 out of 10
3 points!!! Thats all I care about. Bellerin and Holding have been not good at all. Hopefully thats a one off. If Mertersacker, Koscielny or Mustafi were playing we would not have been so vulnerable. Also we have been out if sight in the first half if Ox was playing on the right hand side. But small credit to Wenger changed the system and game tactics in game, something he never used to do. But I was impressed with Lacazette and Elneny’s energy and work rate.
Bellerin was absent in defense – playing RW for the first half. Holding wasn´t holding anything together all alone
That assessment is the key to the whole first half cock-up !!
Got enough goals mate?
Yessssss…….Come on the Gunners, unbelievable game. Think we had 8 attacking that last 10 minutes. If you want entertainment watch Arsenal! Super Olivier! Lacazette must be shocked. Welcome to England mate! Get in!
Yeaahhhhhhh
defend like that and better teams will destroy us simple as that, its not just one game, we have defended poorly for ages now. Great going forward but the defence has to be organised and coached into a far better unit or we will see many more bayern type results this season. so many attackers on the pitch because we have to chase the game is fine against the so called weaker teams the better ones will exploit it and go on to score even more against us. 3 points and good start but the same weakness exists and needs… Read more »
Lets judge again when our proper CBs are back.
Like so many times last season you mean.
Chill dude, and relax. Enjoy the moment. Your team just won a fucking amazing game, and all you can muster is complaints. Jeez. Some people I tell ya …
Blimey, that was exciting! Kolasinac absolute boss! Ozil needs to get his blood pressure up or I’m changing my nickname… The handsomest man on Earth for THE WIN!!!!
THMOE? Better than HFB?
If we stick together we have a chance. Love the competition between Laca and HFB. We need Sanchez back in the mix as soon as possible. On to Stoke. Let’s get 3 points against the Orcs. I really hope they get relegated this season.
We almost started the new season in the most “Arsenal” of ways.
My heart didn’t appreciate that workout
Exciting win but a niggling feeling we’re starting yet another season unprepared
Thats the simple truth
Zero minutes into the season and we have an injury crisis? It beggars belief !
Who needs drugs, cigarettes or alcohol? Us Gooners are going to die of high Blood pressure either way. Phew
dont know whos gonna die after ramsey scored today..lol…but he sure did smashed almost all LFC hearts..
And what a good goal it was too, lovely delivery, slick first touch – beautiful football !
Mental strength intensifies harder than my Coq watching Kolasinac’s roulette.
All this talk about handball from ozil, what about their second goal being offside??
That game, Jeez.
Still though, I think there is a massive argument to drop Ozil for Ramsey, much more effective going forward.
At last – someone else sees the light !! Ozil is a shadow of 2015-16 and can be a liability – a liability that seems to be guaranteed 90 mins every match.
Did Giroud just score the big 100 and no one noticed?
Not yet, 99
Not yet, but 50 at home.
It means if he scores against the Orcs his record will be 50 home, 50 away
Am I the only one that hates Vardy? Like if you hate!
This ain’t Youtube mate
Love him or hate him, he has some incredible pace. Boy can that lad run!
THE GOAL GOBLIN
“My heart though”
I put mine in a box under the bed. Whether I’ll be up for retrieving it next May is anyone’s guess.