A look back at Arsenal's best opening day performances

Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry

A look back at Arsenal's best opening day performances in the Premier League

By Josh Graham

There are fewer than ten days to go until Arsenal kick-off the new Premier League season with their first ever visit to top flight new boys Brentford’s Community Stadium.

The latest London side to grace the Premier League host the Gunners on Friday August 13, so we thought we’d have a look back at Arsenal’s best performances on the opening day of the season in years gone by.

2020/21, 3-0 v Fulham

Last year began swimmingly for Mikel Arteta with another London derby against a promoted side, this time away at Craven Cottage against Scott Parker’s Fulham.

Gabriel starred on his debut in the heart of the defence and even Arteta was surprised at how good his £23million summer signing was, given he had not played since March after the suspension of Ligue 1 amid the pandemic.

Willian, who had just signed from Chelsea, dazzled on the wing with two assists in his first game but Gooners will know the signs of promise faded fast last term as the Brazilian became a rather anonymous figure on the bench.

Alexandre Lacazette opened the scoring early on before second-half goals from Gabriel and captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sealed a very comfortable three points and the perfect start to a new season.


Olivier Giroud

2017/18, 4-3 v Leicester

Like they will do this year, Arsenal played in the very first game of the 2017/18 Premier League season at home to Leicester.

The Foxes had reached the Champions League quarter-finals the year before after their shock league title the season previous to that.

The two sides played out a seven-goal thriller at the Emirates which got off to a roaring start with the Gunners registering their first goal just two minutes in.

Lacazette got the early strike but Leicester replied three minutes later through Shinji Okazaki. 

Jamie Vardy’s double either side of a Danny Welbeck goal in first-half stoppage time gave the visitors a 3-2 lead in the second period.

But a great late show gave the Gunners a win to get up and running as Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud both scored in the last seven minutes to steal all three points.

The Frenchman headed in a dramatic late winner against a defence which included new Leicester signing Harry Maguire, sending the crowd wild.

2014/15, 2-1 v Crystal Palace


There’s nothing like a stoppage time winner to change the mood at the end of a tight Premier League tussle.

And back in 2014, Aaron Ramsey provided just that to edge a battle with Crystal Palace at home.

Arsene Wenger’s men had gone behind in the first half to Brede Hangeland’s header.

But Laurent Koscielny flicked home summer signing Alexis Sanchez’s free-kick to equalise in first-half stoppage time.

This certainly was not a performance for the ages but the grit and determination and relentless pursuit of the victory makes it worth remembering.

Palace held firm for so long until a joyous Ramsey stabbed home from close range in the 91st minute, a short time after Jason Puncheon had seen red for the Eagles.


Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie

2009/10, 6-1 v Everton


It was six of the best for Arsenal at Goodison Park in 2009 as a scintillating opening-day display put Everton to the sword.

Denilson got things going with a 25-yard effort before new boy Thomas Vermaelen headed home a second.

William Gallas also nodded in before skipper Cesc Fabregas bagged two to make it 5-0.

Sub Eduardo tapped in for a sixth before Louis Saha grabbed an injury time consolation for the Toffees.

Wenger’s men produced a stirring performance of fluent counter-attacking football which left opposition manager David Moyes unable to take away any positives.

2004/05, 4-1 v Everton


The last time Arsenal started a Premier League campaign as defending champions, the men in red got things off to a stylish start again at Goodison Park with a 4-1 triumph over Everton.

Dennis Bergkamp capped his 500th career league appearance with a powerful drilled shot to give the Gunners the lead.

The late Jose Antonio Reyes headed in to make it 2-0 at the break.

Thierry Henry teed up Freddie Ljunberg for the third but Lee Carsley pulled one back for the hosts.

Robert Pires came on off the bench and added a fourth when an Henry shot was spilled.

Bergkamp was the star, unlocking the Everton defence at ease with Henry impressing despite not managing to find his customary goal.

It was quite a marker against a team that went on to secure a spot in the Champions League qualifying rounds.


Image Credit: Getty Images

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