Arsenal staged a sensational fightback to kick off the new Premier League season with a thrilling 4-3 win against Leicester on Friday.
The Gunners’ scored twice in the final 10 minutes as Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud netted to earn Arsene Wenger’s men victory.
Alexandre Lacazette gave Arsenal an early lead after two minutes before Shinji Okazaki and Jamie Vardy put the Foxes ahead.
Danny Welbeck equalised for Arsenal on the stroke of half time, but Vardy’s second looked to have won it for Craig Shakespeare’s side until the final frenetic minutes.
Here’s our two good, two bad from a dramatic night at the Emirates Stadium.
OLIVIER GIROUD
The Frenchman saved the day as he popped up to score the winner on the 85th minute – just 18 minutes after being introduced for Mohamed Elneny.
From a corner, he powered a stunning header in off the left upright to give Kasper Schmeichel no chance and win the game for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Giroud may not be renowned for his consistent finishing ability, but he can contribute effectively through his astute link play – an area that will prove vital as the season progresses.
With the addition of compatriot Alexander Lacazette, the 30-year-old is sure to add another dimension to the Gunners attacking exploits even if it means more game time from the bench.
Olivier Giroud
JAMIE VARDY
Vardy weighed in with two superb goals in a virtuous man of the match display.
He stretched Nacho Monreal and Rob Holding at every opportunity, ghosting past both players to score Leicester’s second from Marc Albrighton’s sumptuous left wing cross after five minutes.
Ten minutes after the break, the England international struck again as he raced in unmarked to head home Riyad Mahrez’s corner to put Shakespeare’s side in control – before Arsenal netted twice in the final 10 minutes to win the contest.
The 30-year-old will be eager to rediscover his impressive form from the Foxes 2015-16 title winning campaign when he netted 24 goals in 36 appearances.
His electric form tonight is a promising start, despite finishing on the losing side.
Jamie Vardy
ROB HOLDING
Having performed well in the Community Shield last week, Holding was presented with another opportunity by Arsene Wenger.
However, it proved to be a nightmare evening for the 21-year-old who looked well off the pace at the heart of the Arsenal defender.
His loose marking allowed Shinji Okazaki the space to score the opener after five minutes, and from there, it got worse.
With Hector Bellerin bombing forward at every opportunity, it left space exposed and Holding was continuously bullied by Vardy’s superb pace and movement.
He was subsequently substituted after 67 minutes.
Rob Holding
PETR CECH
The Arsenal netminder was caught in no man’s land for Leicester’s opener as Okazaki sent a looping header into the net.
And, he was nowhere to be seen for the second either as Vardy skipped in to put the Foxes ahead 20 minutes later from close range.
He always looked unsure of whether to stay or go, as illustrated seven minutes after the restart when he came charging out to deny Vardy with a tackle, something that could have gone incredibly wrong if his timing was off.
A poor performance all around from Cech.
