New season, same old Arsenal - That's how my first post-match piece for The Arsenal Way started following a dismal performance away to newly-promoted Brentford at the beginning of the 2021/22 league campaign.
It wasn't the best of starts, far from it. The display was poor, Covid hit the squad and injuries also meant key players were missing, but I still believe we had enough to get something from the game.
Despite the frustrations 189 nights ago, how far this team has come since must be commended.
Only five players who started the first game of the season still find themselves in the starting lineup today, one of whom is Ben White.
Arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion for £50 million, making him the club's most expensive addition during last summer's shopping spree, all eyes were instantly on White who had the difficult task of operating within a weakened backline against the Bees.
White played alongside Calum Chambers and Pablo Mari, with Kieran Tierney at left-back. It's fair to say he struggled, but so did the team as a whole. Brentford's pace going forward caused problems and the physical presence of Ivan Toney made it difficult for White to deal with any long balls coming his way.
The Englishman's showing was instantly picked out by pundits after the 2-0 defeat, with Jamie Carragher expressing his concerns about the Arsenal new-boy.
"Ben White isn’t going to get as many opportunities to step in with the ball, to actually show the quality that we all associate with him," Carragher said.
"You want to see him do well, it’s a big price tag, but I must say that as soon as Arsenal bought him – and he was linked with Liverpool for 12-18 months – my fear was I wouldn’t want him to come to Liverpool because he’s not tall enough, not good enough in the air.
"So he’s got to get someone in front of him or he’s got to get a lot stronger, cleverer in his body movements."
I think the comments were fair when you evaluate White's first game, but we all know you shouldn't speak too soon.
As the season has progressed, White has become a stalwart at the heart of Arsenal's defence alongside the vigorous Gabriel Magalhães, establishing a formidable partnership with the Brazilian which has enabled him to showcase the qualities that Carragher believed he wouldn't be able to.
Calm on the ball and more composed when dealing with pressure, White has also become stronger in the air and is often able to drive forwards from the back to open up space and get things moving.
The 24-year-old's wide range of passing has also added something different to Mikel Arteta's team, which can be beneficial for the wide players as they look to run in behind the opposition.
Despite White's rocky start to life at Arsenal, which also saw him absent for a short period due to Covid, the Arsenal boss always believed his new addition would come good.
"We brought him because we believe that he can be extraordinary," said Arteta.
"He doesn’t have that much experience in the league still. He has experience with Leeds and the experience he had with Brighton for a year, so he is not mature in that sense, but he has already shown his qualities and what he can do. The way he has adapted to us is impressive so the potential is there."
We often talk about the character and mindset of this current Arsenal group, how healthy and determined it is. White epitomises it perfectly, he has shown the strength and necessary attitude to overcome the doubters.
The exact same goes for the likes of Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who also arrived last summer. People were unsure if they would offer enough quality, highlighting the goalkeeper's back-to-back relegations in particular, but both players are now vital members of the squad.
Can Ben White improve? Absolutely. But he has so far proven that it won't be an issue for him whatsoever.
The youngest team in the Premier League may have its flaws at times, but it has all of the ingredients to grow into something special.
Brentford will be facing a rejuvenated Arsenal side at the Emirates Stadium tomorrow. Dealing with the pressure and expectation is now the biggest challenge for the Gunners, who continue to push for a European spot between now and the end of the season.
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