(BBC) – Substitute Olivier Giroud headed in a dramatic late winner as Arsenal fought back to beat Leicester City in a thrilling start to the 2017-18 Premier League season.
The Gunners trailed 3-2 with seven minutes to go before Aaron Ramsey and Giroud swung the game back in the home side’s favour at a euphoric Emirates Stadium.
Alexandre Lacazette headed the Gunners ahead 94 seconds into his top-flight debut, only for Shinji Okazaki to nod in an equaliser just two minutes later.
Vardy then slid the visitors ahead from Marc Albrighton’s cross, before Danny Welbeck drew Arsenal level at the end of a pulsating opening half.
Leicester took the lead again when Vardy headed in Riyad Mahrez’s corner before Arsene Wenger made an inspired double substitution which sparked Arsenal’s comeback.
Substitute Ramsey smashed in an angled drive – from a corner which was won after Mesut Ozil handled in the build-up – before Giroud showed athleticism and strength to meet Granit Xhaka’s corner.
Arsenal started the new Premier League season having won just one of their previous five opening matches – all of which were also home fixtures.
In the build-up to yesterday’s game Wenger repeatedly stressed the importance of beginning with a positive result against Leicester – and the Gunners appeared to have listened to their manager as they made the dream start.
Lacazette, who arrived for £45,6M from Lyon, was perfectly placed to take advantage of Wes Morgan misjudging Mohamed Elneny’s cross, flicking in a low header to become the fastest-scoring debutant in Premier League history.