The English defender took revenge for his teammate William Saliba after being targeted by John McGinn.
In Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, Ben White delivered a solid defensive performance as the Gunners avenged their two defeats to Villa from the previous season.
The 26-year-old also showcased his strong support for his teammates when clashing with John McGinn, a player known for his antics at Aston Villa.
When the match was still goalless, McGinn kicked the ball into William Saliba’s body in frustration after being penalized by the referee—a completely unnecessary move from the Scottish player.
White immediately retaliated by kicking the ball straight into McGinn’s stomach. As expected, the Villa captain collapsed to the ground, unable to endure his own trickery.
Successful teams need a ‘big brother’ figure who looks out for his teammates in every situation. Ben White has perfectly embodied that role at Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
White has just started his fourth season at Arsenal after moving from Brighton in 2021.
At the time of his transfer, many mocked the decision to spend £50 million on the right-back, but such criticism has vanished completely due to White’s outstanding performance.
White feels comfortable in Arsenal’s competitive environment, as the 26-year-old explained when discussing the pre-season period with the club.
Speaking to the media, as reported on Arsenal’s official website, White explained why this summer has been a “different” experience for the players.
“We are here to really achieve something, and we know we can do it because we came very close to winning the title last season. That’s the confidence we’ve built during our training and in the first game.”
When asked about Manchester City’s success and whether Arsenal needs a perfect season to beat them in the Premier League title race, White said: “They are unbelievable and have done it for many years.
The players they have are excellent, so each season is very different. Perfection may be needed to win the Premier League. And we have the capability to achieve that.
We all aim for victory, and you see the work we put in day in and day out. The coach helps us get into the right mental state. He is a special manager to work with, and you cannot help but give 100% for him.”
Regarding his personal goals for this season, White is eager to help the team progress.
“I set goals for myself each season, both personally and in life,” White explained. “It’s the same—just do your best and try to improve every day for the team.
If you ask Arteta, there are many things I could improve! That’s the goal for this season.”
White certainly doesn’t need to improve his team spirit—his actions against McGinn to stand up for his teammate have only made him more beloved by Arsenal fans and his teammates.