Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber was fortunate to avoid being sent off during the North London Derby against Tottenham, in a game where his performance at left-back stood out. After missing the first two derbies due to injuries in his debut season, Timber was determined to make an impact in this clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but he quickly became a target of the home crowd.
The incident in question occurred during a 50-50 challenge between Timber and Tottenhamโs Pedro Porro. Timber appeared to roll his foot over the ball, catching the Spanish player in the process. Referee Jarred Gillett initially gave Timber a yellow card, and there was a momentary review by VAR to assess whether the challenge warranted a red card. However, after checking, VAR decided to uphold the yellow card, allowing Timber to remain on the field.
This decision sparked debate, with both Arsenal legend Paul Merson and former Tottenham player Jamie Redknapp weighing in on the controversy. Redknapp, speaking on Sky Sports, drew comparisons to a previous incident involving Curtis Jones, who was sent off for a similar challenge on Yves Bissouma. He expressed his belief that Timber was lucky not to be sent off, suggesting that the challenge involved excessive force and was an unnatural action. He emphasized that other referees might have shown a red card.
Merson agreed with Redknappโs assessment, pointing out that Timber was fortunate, especially given the fact that the referee had been issuing yellow cards frequently throughout the match. Merson humorously noted that the referee was โhanding out yellow cards like ice creamโ during the game. Both pundits agreed that the incident was a pivotal moment, one that could have significantly altered the course of the match had Timber been dismissed.
From Tottenhamโs perspective, they may feel aggrieved by the decision, as Timberโs continued presence on the pitch could be seen as a stroke of luck for Arsenal. However, the Gunners might view the situation differently, especially after feeling that the red card given to Declan Rice in their previous match against Brighton was overly harsh. In this sense, Arsenal might consider Timberโs reprieve as a bit of good fortune that balances out past decisions that have gone against them.
The Timber incident will undoubtedly be a key talking point in the aftermath of the match, with fans and pundits alike discussing whether the decision was correct. It also puts Arsenal in a better position as they prepare for their crucial Premier League showdown with Manchester City next weekend. This moment of good fortune may provide a timely boost to the squad ahead of one of their biggest challenges of the season.