By Billy Rodgers
Competition: Barclays Premier League
Date: Friday, August 11th
Kickoff: 2:45 PM (Eastern Standard Time)
Referees: Mike Dean
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London, England
Arsenal Starting XI:
Formation: 3-4-3
Cech (C)
Holding, Monreal, Kolasinac
Bellerin, Elneny, Xhaka, Oxlade-Chamberlain
Özil, Lacazette, Welbeck
Substitutes: Ospina, Mustafi, Coquelin, Ramsey, Iwobi, Walcott, Giroud
Leicester Starting XI:
Formation: 4-4-2
Schmeichel
Simpson, Morgan (C), Maguire, Fuchs
Mahrez, Ndidi, James, Albrighton
Okazaki, Vardy
Substitutes: Chilwell, Amartey, King, Gray, Slimani, Iheanacho
Pre-Match – In the opening game of the Barclays Premier League season, Arsenal face Leicester City, the improbable winners of the BPL in the 2015-16 season. Arsenal have been known to come out slowly and play poorly on the opening day of the Premier League but they will look to change that today. Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac both make their Premier League debuts for the Gunners as Arsenal look to hit the ground running with an opening day victory over the Foxes of Leicester City. The wait is over and the Premier League is back!
KICKOFF – Arsenal get us underway as debutant Alexandre Lacazette passes back to center back, Rob Holding, to get us underway!
1’ – Danny Welbeck shows great pace and skill to break through the midfield but is brought down for an Arsenal free kick.
2’ – GOAL FOR ARSENAL! What a start for the home side as Alexandre Lacazette cleverly uses his head to re-direct a through ball, drilled in the air by Arsenal midfielder, Mohammed Elneny. Lacazette showed his goal scoring touch as his header flew past the outstretched arms of the Leicester City goalie, Kasper Schmeichel. Just 2 minutes into his first Premier League appearance, Alexandre Lacazette has his first Premier League goal for Arsenal FC.
1-0
4’ – Riyad Mahrez tries to equalize for Leicester immediately as he strikes a volley from the top of the 18 but it slices wide of Petr Cech’s goal. “1 nil to the Arsenal” chant the Arsenal fans, their voices echoing down from the rafters of Emirates Stadium, as the jubilant Arsenal fans voice their support after the opening goal for the home team.
5’ – Goal for Leicester City! Leicester’s Shinji Okazaki heads into the Arsenal net to cap off a frenetic opening 5 minutes of the 2017-18 Barclays Premier League season. Marc Albrighton sends a deep cross to the back post which is headed back into the danger area by defender, Harry Maguire, and Okazaki, the Japanese forward, powers his header past the helpless arms of Petr Cech.
1-1
7’ – Jaime Vardy breaks behind the Arsenal defense for the first time of the night and squares to Okazaki whose heavy touch is well defended by Nacho Monreal.
8’ – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain drives at the heart of the Leicester defense and blazes a left footed shot over the goal. It’s worth mentioning that Oxlade-Chamberlain is playing out of position, at left wing back. In past seasons, Arsene Wenger has deployed ‘The Ox’ as a right winger or a right midfielder. Throughout preseason and during the Community Shield, Oxlade-Chamberlain has played well in the left-wing back role. He has a less than a year left in his contract and his future with Arsenal has still yet to be determined.
10’ – A deep cross from Oxlade-Chamberlain is headed back into the 16-yard box by Hector Bellerin who seems to be fouled in the process as the Arsenal fans yell for a penalty to be called. Nothing given by the referee, Mike Dean.
12’ – Rob Holding is called for a hard foul on Shinji Okazaki.
13’ – Arsenal do well to defend 2 successive Leicester city forays. Hector Bellerin shows off his pace and technical ability to start an Arsenal counter attack which is slowed down by a lofted cross field ball by Mesut Özil.
15’ – Mesut Özil is put though on goal by Granit Xhaka but the flag goes up and he is just offside. If Xhaka had found his pass seconds earlier, Özil would’ve been clean through on goal.
17’ – The camera changes to a shot of Leicester City’s new signing, Kelechi Iheanacho. It’s surprising that the exciting young forward isn’t starting today as his high profile move from Manchester City has created headlines throughout the English media.
18’ – Oxlade-Chamberlain uses his pace and his power to get to the byline but his left-footed cross is unable to find an Arsenal attacker. Hector Bellerin then fouls Marc Albrighton in the penalty area to end the Arsenal attack.
19’ – Lacazette continues his bright start as he receives a pass and quickly turns in a single motion. The Leicester defender, Harry Maguire, is fooled and clips Lacazette from behind.
This is where Alexandre Lacazette can add a new dimension to the Arsenal attack, that fellow Frenchman, Olivier Giroud, hasn’t always been able to add. Giroud is known for his physical presence and his ability to hold the ball up, without turning and running at defenses. Lacazette can receive and turn with the ball at his feet from a central position, hopefully creating a more direct and dangerous attack at times. From here, hopefully he will be able to combine with fellow Arsenal attackers or even create a threat himself.
22’ – Özil and Welbeck combine for a give and go and Özil squares the ball back again for Welbeck whose goal-bound shot is blocked Harry Maguire in the 6-yard box. Arsenal come close to taking the lead again!
26’ – The ever-dangerous Danny Welbeck combines again with Mesut Özil as he stays on his feet and weaves his way to the by-line but his cross is cut out.
27’ – Another Arsenal debutant, Sead Kolasinac finds himself in the penalty area and sends a strong, deflected, left footed volley into the body of Kasper Schmeichel which then runs out for a corner kick.
29’ – Goal for Leicester City. The visitors take advantage of misplaced pass in the back by Arsenal midfielder, Granit Xhaka. Marc Albrighton sends in a picture-perfect ball from the left side which finds a lurking Jamie Vardy at the back post, who thrashes his side-footed shot into the Arsenal net.
Arsenal have now conceded goals through a corner kick and a giveaway of possession in the back. Dominant French center back, Laurent Koscielny misses today’s game through suspension. The tall figure of Per Mertesacker is also missing as a cut to his face in Arsenal’s Community Shield triumph over Chelsea keeps him out of the squad today. Starting center back, Skhodran Mustafi is also on the bench for Arsenal, as he is coming off a busy summer with the German National Team at the European Championships. Without 3 of their first-choice center backs, Arsenal’s defense has noticeably been weaker so far.
1-2
36’ – Hector Bellerin attempts to stretch his legs and push the ball past Harry Maguire but the defenders sliding tackle thwarts Bellerin.
40’ – The ball manages to bounce over the head of Nacho Monreal which seems to send Okazaki through on goal but Rob Holding is there to smother the danger.
41’ – Oxlade-Chamberlain sends in a dangerous cross to the back post which is deflected behind for an Arsenal corner kick. The home side are pressing for an equalizer before halftime.
42’ – Sead Kolasinac has an attempted cross blocked by Leicester defender, Ndidi. The ball appeared to strike the hand of the defender but Arsenal’s penalty claim is denied by Mike Dean as he points for a corner kick.
45’ + 1’ – Christian Fuchs’ long throw almost flies over the outstretched arms of Petr Cech but the danger is nullified by a Shinji Okazaki foul in the penalty area.
46’ + 2’ – GOAL FOR ARSENAL! The Gunners equalize just before halftime. Alexandre Lacazette scuffs a shot which falls kindly to Sead Kolasinac who squares to Danny Welbeck who taps into an open Leicester net to level the score seconds before the halftime whistle.
2-2
HALF-TIME – The referee blows his whistle, bringing an end to the first 45 minutes of the 2017-18 Barclays Premier League season. Arsenal scored within 2 minutes of the start of the game as Alexandre Lacazette opened his Arsenal account with a brilliant redirected header. Arsenal were then pegged back minutes later through a set piece finished off by Shinji Okazaki, who headed past Petr Cech. Leicester City then took the lead as Jamie Vardy fired Marc Albrighton’s sweet left-footed cross into the back of the Arsenal net. The Gunners managed to cancel out Leicester’s 2 first half goals, as a tap in from Danny Welbeck brought the hosts level just before the break.
2-2
46’ – Leicester City get the second half underway through Shinji Okazaki. Neither sides have made any halftime changes.
49’ – Mesut Özil takes a driven shot from just outside the 18 which he drags just wide of the Leicester goal.
51’ – An over hit cross finds Riyad Mahrez at the back post who turns and sends an errant cross far over the Arsenal defense which goes out of play for an Arsenal throw in, much to the delight of the home crowd.
52’ – Petr Cech does his best impression of a sweeper keeper as he rushes off his line to tackle the ball away from Jamie Vardy who thought he was clean through on goal.
55’ – Riyad Mahrez makes uses a quick fake and turn to make a yard of space for himself on top of the penalty area and takes a dangerous right footed shot which forces Petr Cech into a save as he palms the ball over the Arsenal goal for a Leicester corner kick.
56’ – Goal for Leicester City! Jamie Vardy scores his second goal of the night as he wins a free header from the resulting corner kick which finds its way, untouched, into the side netting of the Arsenal goal. For the second time tonight, Arsenal concede a goal resulting from a corner kick. Leicester City have regained control in the opening game of the Barclays Premier League season.
2-3
59’ – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain sends Danny Welbeck clean down the left flank who squares his body and does well to find a breaking Oxlade-Chamberlain at the top of the penalty area. His low, driven shot is parried by Kasper Schmeichel and the ball falls perfectly for an offside Lacazette who is unable to convert the rebound, which would not have counted. Arsenal are again searching for an equalizer.
62’ – Welbeck threads a perfectly weighted ball in behind the Leicester defense to right wing back, Hector Bellerin, whose shot from 8 yards is inches from sneaking through the legs of the Leicester goalie, Kasper Schmeichel. Arsenal have done well to respond from going down 3-2.
67’ – Mohammed Elneny makes way for Aaron Ramsey who looks to slot right into Elneny’s position as the holding midfielder. Ramsey should offer more of an attacking midfield role with his dribbling and creative ability. Olivier Giroud replaces center back Rob Holding as Arsenal revert to their traditional 4-2-3-1 with Giroud making his way to the pinpoint of the Arsenal attack as the target forward.
68’ – A superb left-footed cross from Alexandre Lacazette finds the head of Aaron Ramsey in the 6-yard box who is just put off at the last second by the Leicester defender, Christian Fuchs, preventing Ramsey from getting a clean header on the ball. Another great chance for Arsenal to draw level.
70’ – Lacazette finds himself free in space down the left-hand side and sends a cross to the top of the box to Granit Xhaka who sends a bouncing volley into the waiting hands of Kasper Schmeichel.
71’ – Lacazette does brilliantly again to make a bit of space for himself down the left-hand side and he pulls a pass back for Mesut Özil who can’t make a clean connection on a first time shot as Leicester clear yet again.
74’ – A switch in play from Arsenal finds its way to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who fizzes a low and hard shot which looked to be finding its way into the side netting but it deflects out of play for an Arsenal corner.
74’ – Özil finds himself with space inside the penalty area as the Leicester defense seems to fall asleep but instead of easily squaring the ball to a waiting Olivier Giroud, he sends a first time, left-footed volley into the side netting ending more Arsenal danger.
75’ – Theo Walcott comes on to replace goal scorer Danny Welbeck. Walcott is appearing for Arsenal in his 13th season for the club.
81’ – Granit Xhaka sees his shot from distance take a deflection, almost wrong-footing Kasper Schmeichel but the ball goes out harmlessly for a corner kick.
82’ – Kelechi Iheanacho makes his Leicester debut as he replaces Matty James with 8 minutes remaining.
83’ – ARSENAL EQUALIZE! Granit Xhaka sends a lovely outside of the foot pass to the back post to a waiting Aaron Ramsey who takes a single touch and fires into the back of the net. Game on with 7 minutes plus stoppage time to play!
3-3
85’ – Inches from taking the lead! Aaron Ramsey chips a dangerous ball into the penalty area which finds a streaking Olivier Giroud who lays a beautifully weighted ball back to Alexandre Lacazette who dances and weaves his way past 2 Leicester defenders before sending a deflected shot at a flailing Kasper Schmeichel who tips just over the bar. Corner for Arsenal.
85’ – OLIVIER GIROUD SCORES FOR ARSENAL! Arsenal snatch the lead right back from Leicester City as the super substitute, Olivier Giroud, shows his brute strength to hold off the Leicester City captain, Wes Morgan, and head home Granit Xhaka’s in-swinging corner kick. Giroud’s header careened off the cross bar and landed just over the goal-line of Leicester City to give Arsenal their second and most crucial lead of the night.
4-3
88’ – Demarai Gray replaces Marc Albrighton with 2 minutes to play plus stoppage time. Leicester must now search for a goal to escape the Emirates with a point.
90’ + 1’ – Theo Walcott is played through on goal by Lacazette but is ruled just offside as his shot flies just over the goal. Walcott really should have stayed onside and finished Leicester off with a 5th Arsenal goal.
90’ + 3’ – Sead Kolasinac leaves Riyad Mahrez in the dust with a clever Maradona spin but his ball forward is to an offside Mesut Özil. 2 minutes to play with Arsenal holding on.
90’ + 5’ – Aaron Ramsey lets an ambitious shot fly from distance but he slices it well wide of the target.
FULL-TIME – The full-time whistle blows and Arsenal come from behind twice (2-1 down and 3-2 down) to beat Leicester City on the opening night of the much anticipated 2017-18 season of the Barclays Premier League Campaign.
FULL MATCH STATS –
| Arsenal: | Leicester City: |
| 27 (10) Shots (on Goal)
9 Fouls 9 Corner Kicks 5 Offsides 70% Total Possession 0 Yellow Cards 0 Red Cards 0 Goalkeeper Saves |
6 (3) Shots (on Goal)
12 Fouls 4 Corner Kicks 3 Offsides 30% Total Possession 1 Yellow Card 0 Red Cards 6 Goalkeeper Saves |
Stayed tuned to https://viewsfttl.wordpress.com for all the analysis from tonight’s match between Arsenal and Leicester City as well as more coverage of the Barclay’s Premier League this weekend. Lastly, click the link below to watch all of the highlights from a crazy opening to the season. As always, thank you for reading!
Arsenal vs. Leicester City Highlights:
Views From the Touch Line 