I was close to giving the Man of the Match award from this amazing Premier League opener between Arsenal and Leicester City to Olivier Giroud, after the Frenchman scored a fantastic headed winner off the underside of the bar despite the attentions of both of the Foxes big centre backs, but he was only a sub and for all round performance, especially on his EPL debut I have gone for Alexandre Lacazette.
Cech 6 – Uncharacteristically nervy display but also some good saves.
Holding 5 – An awful night showed the youngster needs an experienced hand to guide him.
Monreal 5 – Must never play that central role in a three again.
Kolasinac 7 – Also sloppy at times but much better than the others in defence and a real threat the other way.
Chamberlain 7 – Tried to do too much at times but an impressive and dynamic game in general. Created first goal.
Xhaka 6 – Redeemed himself with exquisite assist for Ramsey but some awful passing nearly killed us.
Elneny 6 – Great cross for opener and mostly good but also gave the ball away cheaply and regularly.
Bellerin 7 – One or two sloppy passes but a decent game overall without hitting top form.
Ozil 6 – Flashes of brilliance and the hub of creativity but not enough overall from him.
Welbeck 7.5 – Put in a real shift and took the crucial and timely second goal very well.
Lacazette 8.5 – Sniper’s instincts, movement, sharp, technical and showed grit to track back and get stuck in.
subs:
Ramsey 8 – That is what you want from a player off the bench. Desire and impact.
Giroud 8 – As above and what a touch to set up Lacazette before he scored the winner.
Bob.