"We need to put that right" – White eyes Villa revenge

08/22/2024 11:02 AM

Ben White wants revenge when Arsenal play Aston Villa on Saturday after a brace of damaging defeats to Unai Emery’s side last season.

While December’s 1-0 loss at Villa Park was frustrating, particularly because a late equaliser was ruled out, the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates in April proved to be a real gut punch for the Gunners’ title chances.

Not only did late goals by Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins end Arsenal’s 11-game unbeaten streak, in one fell swoop the Villans handed the title race momentum to Manchester City.

It was a season-defining moment, one White hasn’t forgotten, even if other dropped points earlier in the campaign were also costly.

"We need to put that right and get that result this time," he told Arsenal.com. "I'm sure we'll do that and prepare well for it.

"They're all big games, no matter who you play against. The points you drop anywhere in the season, you can put it back to that. There are games that we drew that we should've won and they're two points that we should pick up.

"It's always a tough game when you get there [Villa Park]. There are a lot of duels, it's very aggressive. They're very quick and want to play on the counter, so we've got to be ready for that."

Both sides won on the opening weekend with Villa picking up a 2-1 win at West Ham and the Gunners easing past Wolves 2-0.

For White, who had a lengthy summer break before being recalled for a pre-pre-season training camp in Marbella, victory was the result of solid preparation on the training ground.

"It was an amazing start for us to win and get back into the flow of things, starting where we left off last season," he added.

"It's always tough in the first game. You're seeing where you are, the level you've been training at, and playing a game gives you the reassurance that you're doing the right thing.

"We're not worried about anyone else, what they're doing, or sending messages. We've got to continue to do what we've been doing and reach higher levels as a team. If we play the way we can, we'll beat anyone."

While we’re sure the Arsenal players don’t need any extra motivation coming into Saturday’s clash, the fact Villa’s social media team decided to bring up December’s home win over the Gunners as part of a recent meme won’t have gone unnoticed at the Emirates.

Nobody will remember:
– Your salary
– How "busy you were"
– How many hours you worked

People will remember:
– John McGinn's goal last time we played Arsenal at Villa Park
– The limbs in the Holte End pic.twitter.com/581aeTfzst

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) August 20, 2024

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