Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has taken back his comments regarding Arsenal ’s post-match celebrations after being put in his place by Laura Woods. Agbonlahor accused the Gunners of celebrating “like they’d won the Champions League ” after their 1-0 away victory against his former side.
Bukayo Saka’s first half goal saw Mikel Arteta’s side strengthen their grip on fourth position, extending the gap separating themselves and Tottenham Hotspur to three points. It was an understandably huge result for the north Londoners who were bouncing back from a humbling 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool in their previous fixture.
But their celebrations were deemed unpalatable by Agbonlahor who ripped into the Gunners by stating they were not “not qualified for it”. However, an on-air verbal assassination from Woods has prompted the 35-year-old to take back his harsh criticism.
“Yes, I’ve seen Laura’s comments – and she’s spot on,” he told talkSPORT on Tuesday. “Laura puts me in my place a lot and this is why she’s getting awards – because she’s a top presenter.
“I was very bitter after the game. Where I was watching the game from the BT Sport studio, I could see the Arsenal fans all game. And seeing them celebrating after the game, I think it was a bit of jealousy.
“So I take that comment back and I apologise to Arsenal fans. Their celebrations were fine and I’m sure they will get that top-four position.”
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His recent quotes were a far cry from his what he said on the airwaves shortly after the home defeat to Arsenal. “The way they celebrated at the end of the game was like they’d won the Champions League, not qualified for it,” Agbonlahor said on Sunday.
“I know it was a great result but the scenes, the players, and we were right behind the fans, it was like they’d won the league, not beaten Aston Villa, a team that they should be beating. I think they overdo the celebrations.
While the former Aston Villa captain was absolutely hammered by Arsenal supporters and fans of other teams alike, the most damning reply came from his colleague Woods. The presenter spectacularly took him down by replaying some previous quotes from Agbonlahor where he praised the passionate celebrations of Villa boss Steven Gerrard.
“You have to be able to celebrate. You have to be able to go to a game and I love that they celebrated,” Wood said during her verbal takedown of the former striker.
“That’s what Arsenal is all about now, that unified presence. “But Gabby, don’t listen to me, listen to your own argument…”
““Well done Gabby for undoing your own argument before you’d even made it!” Agbonlahor learned in the firmest possible way that Woods, and Arsenal fans, have very good memories.
Fortunately for Agbonlahor, he will not have to comment on Aston Villa for a while as the Premier League has entered the international break. Villa’s first match in April will be a home slash against Arsenal’s fierce rivals Tottenham.
