Arsenal were unstoppable on Tuesday night as Mikel Arteta’s team defeated PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 clash.
It was truly a night to remember for Arsenal as they made history, becoming the first team ever to score seven goals in a Champions League knockout game away from home. Martin Odegaard notched a brace to go along with goals from Timber, Ethan Nwaneri, Mikel Merino, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori.
However, Timber who played a key role in the victory is now a suspension risk as Arsenal prepare to move forward in the Champions League.
Timber picked up a needless caution during the match and this might affect his team in the next round. The right-back was booked for time-wasting with just over 20 minutes to play at Philips Stadion despite his side holding a commanding 5-1 lead at the time. He was then replaced by Ben White.
Martin Odegaard celebrates scoring Arsenal’s fourth goal with teammate Jurrien Timber during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg match between PSV and Arsenal FC. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
That was the Dutch international’s second yellow card in the Champions League this season after he was also booked in the 3-0 home win over Dinamo Zagreb back in January, with three yellows in the competition leading to an automatic one-match ban.
However, with Arsenal’s six goal lead, Arteta can afford to rest several key first-team players including Timber for next Wednesday’s second-leg clash with PSV at the Emirates Stadium.
If Timber is not listed among the team, he should avoid the possibility of being banned for the opening (home) game of a quarter-final tie that will be against either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid next month.
Yellow cards in the Champions League are not reset until after the quarter-final stage, meaning another booking for Timber in the first leg against one of the Madrid teams at the Emirates would see him banned for the second leg out in Spain.
Mikel Arteta will be eager to have all his best players on the pitch when they face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals.
