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The world’s richest and most exciting football league kicks off this Friday when Manchester United plays host to Leicester City at the Theatre of Dreams. The opening weekend provides clubs the opportunity to get off on the right foot and kick-off their campaign towards the title in style.
With a chunk of money spent on transfers this summer, opening matches give new players their first opportunity to endear themselves to supporters. With so many variables having changed since the last Premier League game played, one can never be sure how a team will manage.
This uncertainty among players, coaches, and fans can make for some truly legendary opening matches. Here are the craziest opening weekend matches of the last 5 seasons that are indicative of what we’ll see on our TV screen this weekend.
#1 Arsenal 4-3 Leicester (2017/18)
The league picked right when they paired Arsenal and Leicester together to open the EPL season. With the day to themselves, eyes around the world sat down to welcome in the new season. A brilliant header by new arrival Lacazette put Arsenal ahead at home just two minutes into their opening match.
However, the celebrations were cut short when Okazaki netted a characteristic goal just three minutes later. Channelling their former title-winning form, Leicester then went 2-1 up when Vardy joined the goal scoring party. Just 29 minutes into the season and Arsenal fans were already doubting their titles chances. Welbeck restored tranquillity when he pulled one back before the half to tie it at 2 apiece.
However, the second half saw another early goal from Vardy. Arsenal fans were already considering heading towards the exits when Ramsey curved one to the back post with the outside of his right foot. That little bit of quality lifted The Emirates and galvanized the team to get a winner off the head of Giroud just two minutes later.
#2 Arsenal 3-4 Liverpool (2016/17)
Even if Liverpool-Arsenal finished nil-all it’d still be the most entertaining match of the opening weekend. Liverpool pressed relentlessly and countered with conviction. Despite a goal to his name, Calum Chambers had to collect his limbs after the match after having been completely ripped apart by Liverpool’s new-look offence.
After missing a penalty yet redeeming himself just a minute later, Walcott gave Arsenal a first-half lead. A glorious Coutinho free kick from distance marked the beginning of a four-goal ambush. When the game looked to have been won, Arsenal scored two late second-half goals to give home-supporters hope. Despite the comeback, the Gunners would fall a goal short to a Liverpool team that had been revolutionized by Klopp.
#3 Leicester 4-2 Sunderland (2015/16)
Leicester made an announcement of sorts when they thrashed Sunderland at home on opening day. In a free-flowing attacking style that would see Leicester’s best players get on the score sheet, Leicester put three goals past Sunderland in 14 minutes. With the game well and over by halftime, Leicester gave fans even more to cheer about when they notched another in the second half.
Having netted four goals with six being scored in total, this encounter at the King Power Stadium was easily the most entertaining opening matchday encounter of them all.
#4 West Ham United 0-1 Tottenham Hotspur (2014/15)
Bucking the trend of high-scoring opening matches, West Ham-Spurs saw just one goal pass through the gate. A red card in the first half saw Kyle Naughton depart in the 29th minute. The card wouldn’t have been such a blow if a penalty hadn’t been awarded as a result of the handball.
Despite being a man down for the majority of the match, Tottenham showed their class as they went on to boss the game. While quality chances may have been few and far between Eric Dier’s 93rd-minute winner made for possibly the most dramatic finish of the entire season.
#5 Arsenal 1-3 Aston Villa (2013/14)
At the beginning of the season, every Arsenal fan has high hopes. They’ll rate themselves among the best in the prem and bank on their team still being relevant come May. Those lofty expectations were thrashed early when Villa came to town. Benteke announced himself to the PL by scoring two goals and missing a penalty.
Koscielny was red-carded late in the second half as Arsenal looked out of sorts since the beginning of the match. Relentless pressing by Villa meant that the game was hectic and fast-paced, making it easily the most appetizing game of matchday one.
