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Result: Arsenal 4-3 Leicester City
Date: 11 August 2017
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Arsenal began the Premier League season on a high after playing out a very thrilling seven-goal thriller against a very solid opposition in Leicester City. The Gunners took the lead early in the first half when Elneny’s pinpoint cross found the head of new-boy Lacazette who was able to direct a fine header into the far corner beyond the keeper’s reach. But this lead won’t last for long as Leicester found the equalizer just two minutes after the opening goal; a very fine cross from the brilliant Fuchs was not dealt with well by the Arsenal defense, Maguire was able to flick a header back to the 6-yard box and Okazaki was able to beat Xhaka in the air (rather surprisingly) and head into an empty net thanks to Cech’s misreading the flight of the ball.
The Gunners went behind in the game for the first time when a poor pass from Xhaka was intercepted by Albrighton and Leicester were able to hit Arsenal on a quick counter. A cross from deep was well finished by Vardy who continued his fine form against Arsenal. Arsenal were able to find the much-needed equalizer just before the half time break, they scored with virtually the last kick of the game when Lacazette put the ball in the 6-yard box, and the impressive Kolasinac was able to latch onto it and showed great composure to square the ball to Welbeck who tapped it in easily to tie the score at 2-2 just before the break.
Leicester restored their lead once more just 10 minutes into the second half when Vardy lost his marker and was able to direct a wonderful header into the back of the net from Mahrez corner. After this goal, it seemed all hope was lost for the Gunners and the opening day home defeat will continue this season. Wenger then made the substitutions that will end up turning this game on its head. He made a double sub, bringing in Giroud and Ramsey to replace Welbeck and Elneny respectively. The Gunners push for an equalizer finally came in the 83rd minute when Aaron Ramsey was able to smash a fine finish into the net after an equally fine pass from Xhaka. Just 3 minutes later, Xhaka will turn provider for the winning goal when his corner was met with a fine header by Giroud who smashed the ball off the bar and over the line to the delight of all Arsenal fans.
Arsene Wenger’s side had won just one of their last six Premier League openers before the game on Friday.
Arsenal Starting XI
Petr Cech; Nacho Monreal, Saed Kolasinac, Rob Holding; Hector Bellerin, Granit Xhaka, Mohamed Elneny, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; Danny Welbeck, Mesut Ozil; Alexandre Lacazette
Subs
David Ospina, Francis Coquelin, Shkodran Mustafi, Alex Iwobi, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud.
Leicester Starting XI
Kasper Schmeichel; Christian Fuchs, Harry Maguire, Wes Morgan, Danny Simpson; Wilfred Ndidi, Matty James, Marc Albrighton, Riyad Mahrez; Jamie Vardy, Shinji Okazaki.
Subs
Ben Hamer, Andy King, Islam Slimani, Ben Chiwell, Demarai Gray, Daniel Amartey, Kelechi Iheanacho.
