JURRIEN TIMBER should have been sent off against Tottenham as fans claim the referee “bottled” showing him a red card.
The defender featured in his first North London Derby and sparked a melee with a tackle in the first half.
He went into a 50-50 challenge with Pedro Porro and the Spurs defender came off second best.
Timber caught him on the ankle after he went over the ball with his studs, which referee Jarred Gillett deemed a yellow card.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believes the Arsenal star was “lucky” to escape a red card, claiming other refs would have sent him off.
He said: “It’s an unusual action because he does definitely go over the top of the ball. He rolls his foot, it’s an unusual action you would usually come in with a side foot to make a challenge like this.
“He is very very lucky. Has he gone in with excessive force to do him like in the olden days? No.
“He has given the referee a massive decision to make. I think he’s incredibly lucky because other referees might have sent him off.
“He doesn’t need to go in like that, it’s such a strange one. Has he caught him badly? No, but it’s not the point.
“It’s excessive force, I think he’s lucky.”
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GABRIEL headed in the only goal of the game as a depleted Arsenal snatched all three points in the North London Derby.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated the Gunners players…
DAVID RAYA – 8/10
Commanded his area well, and was a safe pair of hands throughout the game. Another great showing in what has been a spectacular start for the Spanish stopper.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 7
Did well from an attacking perspective, charging down the left hand side on various occasions. Solid defensively too against Spurs’ flying right side of Johnson and Porro.
Some would argue he should’ve been sent off for a challenge on Pedro Porro in the first half, but he escaped despite squaring up to Vicario in the aftermath.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
A really good recovery challenge in the first half to deny Dominic Solanke, despite being booked early on.
You can always count on Saliba to put in a solid display, and he didn’t disappoint today with fantastic passing out from the back too.
GABRIEL – 9
A fantastic defensive showing throughout, reinforced with a towering header inside the box to give his side the lead from a set piece (shock).
Has formed an impeccable partnership with Saliba, personified by their heartwarming celebration together after the opener. He’s the man.
BEN WHITE – 6
Gave away the ball in a dangerous position in the first half, with Solanke failing to capitalise and had a tough first half against the quick feet of Heung Min-Son.
Was not able to demonstrate the dangerous right-hand side overlap we saw work so effectively last season, but wasn’t threatened in the second 45.
JORGINHO – 4
Struggled to replace the suspended Declan Rice for this North London derby, whom the Gunners really missed.
A tough task, but didn’t come close to matching Rice’s intensity or ability to drive the ball up the pitch which left Arsenal weak in the forward areas.
THOMAS PARTEY – 5
Struggled in transition with Jorginho alongside him, another player who felt the full force of no Rice and Odegaard.
Not fast enough with or without the ball, and will need to perk his ideas up for City next week.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 6
Looked like a bright spark with his running and forward movement, but was let down by his end product or lack thereof.
Worked really really hard throughout, just looks short of confidence in the last actions.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Dropping deeper into more of a midfield role than he’s used to today, it should be noted that he did a job for the team when they needed him.
Not the flying efficiency machine we have seen him be from the bench, but his versatility will be needed this season it seems.
BUKAYO SAKA – 7
Didn’t make the kind of impact on the game we are used to seeing from the brilliant Bukayo Saka, and looked less of a threat without Martin Odegaard to combine with.
Did some really good defensive work nonetheless, and delivered the perfect corner to claim the assist for Gabriel’s opener.
KAI HAVERTZ – 6
A good header in the first half was saved well by Vicario in the spurs net – actually made more clearances (3) than he managed shots on target (2) in the first 45.
Was a handful for the Spurs defence, but largely nullified by the pace and power of Mickey Van de Ven and Cristian Romero.
Some fans agreed with Redknapp while others argued Timber should have picked up a second booking for his coming together with Tottenham keeper Gugliemo Vicario.
He grabbed the Italian by the shirt in an aggressive coming together yet only Vicario was yellow carded.
Supporters claim the ref bottled the double booking for Timber, suggesting he was fortunate to stay on the pitch.
One fan said: “Timber didn’t get a red card for all these btw. Pure robbery.”
Another added: “Bad tackle, yellow. Grab a player’s shirt, 2nd yellow. But only player booked was Vicario. If you book one, you give the 2nd yellow to Timber. Ref bottled it. Pure and simple.”
A third wrote: “If Vicario is booked (and he should be), Timber should get a second yellow.”
