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Arsenal's Late-Game Anxiety: Timber Calls for Mental Toughness

Sky Sports Champions League •
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Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber has admitted the team needs to address their late-game anxiety after another nervy finish against Chelsea. The Gunners secured a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge but required a 92nd-minute save from David Raya to deny Alejandro Garnacho, extending a worrying trend of conceding late goals this season.

Since January, Arsenal have dropped points against Wolves, Brentford, and Manchester United due to late lapses. Timber acknowledged the team's tendency to stop playing when protecting leads, particularly with a man advantage against Chelsea. The Dutch defender emphasized the need for open discussions about the pressure and anxiety players feel in closing stages, noting how crowd energy and player fatigue contribute to these situations.

Despite maintaining a five-point lead over Manchester City, Timber insists the title race remains distant in their minds. With nine games remaining across multiple competitions including Champions League and FA Cup fixtures, Arsenal are taking a game-by-game approach. Timber praised Raya's match-winning performance, highlighting how crucial saves like Sunday's can define a season's trajectory.