The Gunners held firm to keep a clean sheet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after a head from Gabriel had given them the lead.
However, while Arsenal’s defence does look excellent, things might have been a lot different had Jurrien Timber seen red for a rash challenge on Pedro Porro.
In the end, Timber got away with just one yellow and helped his team to the win.
But according to former Chelsea man Frank Leboeuf, Timber could quite easily have got his marching orders.
Jurrien Timber told he should have been sent off for Arsenal v Tottenham
Speaking about Timber for ESPN, the former France and Chelsea defender addressed the situation with Timber staying on the field and not seeing a red card.
And according to Leboeuf, Timber should have been given his marching orders.
“For me, in both cases, Timber shouldn’t have carried on playing. That’s for sure. He could have got two yellow cards and he would have gotten a red card. It wouldn’t have surprised me,” Leboeuf said.
“In fact, he put his foot above the ball. He’s not in control of the ball and then he goes to Pedro Porro’s ankle or even fibula. So for me, it’s a clear foul.”
Arsenal fans, of course, will point to Declan Rice being harshly sent off the week before and simply count this as things evening themselves out.
But one thing is for sure, and that’s that Arsenal will need luck to get through this season and win something.
The decision with Timber was just one example of the type of good fortune required and more will be needed as the season progresses.
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