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Player Ratings: Arsenal 4-3 Leicester City

 

Arsenal have finally done it, they have won their opening Premier League game. After what was a rollercoaster of emotions, Arsenal came back from a 3-2 deficit entering the final 10 minutes to finally win it 4-3.

After years of losing the opening game of the season, Arsenal finally managed to begin a Premier League campaign with a win. Although it must be said that the Gunners didn’t put in the most convincing display, three points is three points, so here are our player ratings from tonight’s game.

Petr Cech: 4/10

At fault for Leicester’s equaliser, as he followed Maguire, it was a bad day at the office for the Czech, who seems to hate Premier League openers, after his disaster classes against West Ham in 2015 and Liverpool last season. Not his best game but Cech did enough to stop Vardy late on. 

Hector Bellerin: 4/10

He struggled massively today, failing to stop Albrighton from crossing throughout the game, his place in the starting XI is under threat more than ever. 

Rob Holding: 3/10

He went through the equivalent of Calum Chambers’s trip to Swansea back in 2014, suffering every time Leicester attacked, keeping the ball for too long to ultimately lose it. His worst performance in an Arsenal shirt although it doesn’t affect his overall talent. The fact that he was replaced by Giroud and that Arsenal shifted to a four at the back system using two left backs as central defenders is somewhat telling. 

Nacho Monreal: 8/10

An unsung hero. Once again the Spaniard put in a huge shift in the middle of the back three, a new position for him that didn’t seem to trouble him one bit, tidy on the ball and always following Vardy’s runs.

Sead Kolasinac: 9/10

Arsenal’s man of the match, he did everything right, whether it was bullying Mahrez all game long, or breaking lines with his passes, he will be a beast once unleashed in his preferred position out on the left. He’s looking more and more like the bargain of the summer, after joining Arsenal on a free transfer – a fan favourite in the making. 

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 6.5/10

Starting at left wing-back again, the Ox was a constant threat when he came forward against Mahrez and Simpson. Problem is, he needed to cut back inside in order to cross with his right foot, he’ll probably switch to the right flank after Bellerin’s performance. A good shift at right-back the changes too.

 

Mohamed Elneny: 4/10

He was given a starting spot ahead of the freshly returned Aaron Ramsey, but he failed to build on his good performance in the Community Shield. A few sloppy passes, one leading to Vardy’s first goal, and some questionable positioning worked as a reminder as to why he’s a squad player and not a starter.

Granit Xhaka: 6/10

It was far from his best game for Arsenal but the fact that he finished the game with five chances created and two assists to complete Arsenal’s comeback says it all about his quality. He truly is Cazorla’s heir as the main deep creator of the team, and he’ll be one of the most important players in Arsène Wenger’s squad this season.

 

Mesut Özil: 5/10

Coming back from an ankle injury, the Maestro struggled against Leicester’s backline, often getting stopped by Ndidi and Maguire before creating any chances, he seemed to be lacking a bit of sharpness after his injury. He often ended up playing sideways instead of breaking the lines although he was involved in the build-up to Welbeck’s goal, not his best game. 

Danny Welbeck: 5/10

As often, the best of Danny Welbeck comes when the ball is far away from him when his runs open spaces for the other attackers to run through. As always, he was clumsy with the ball, but he still managed to tap in a goal following Kolasinac well timed pass into the box to get the equaliser right before halftime.

Alexandre Lacazette: 7.5/10

Arsenal’s record signing has needed less than 100 seconds to get off the mark, scoring a great header to open his Premier League account and get rid of any pressure surrounding his first goal. He also showed his all-around play, linking up well and always offering solutions of the ball, he’ll be a treat to watch this season, as he wasn’t scared by the physical demands of the Premier League.

SUBS:

Theo Walcott: N/A

Came on to replace Welbeck and failed to have any real impact, only having one shot off target.

Aaron Ramsey: 7/10

He came on when Arsenal needed him the most, and he was there to get an equaliser after a great run into the box.

Olivier Giroud: 7.5/10

He’s always there when you need him, and the impact sub struck again, fending off Maguire to get ther winner off the bar. He’s staying at Arsenal, and he’s one goal away from 100 Arsenal goals.

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