Jamie Redknapp and Paul Merson claim Jurrien Timber is ‘incredibly lucky’ to avoid a red card after Arsenal star’s challenge on Tottenham defender Pedro Porro

Jamie Redknapp and Paul Merson have claimed that Jurrien Timber was ‘incredibly lucky’ to not get sent off during the north London derby. 

During a goalless first half, referee Jarred Gillett was not shy to book players, showing seven yellows in total in the opening 45 minutes. 

There was a controversial moment when Timber caught Pedro Porro’s ankle after 36 minutes and got in the referee’s book instantly. 

The Dutch defender was cleared of wrongdoing, with VAR claiming that while it was ‘a reckless challenge’, there was ‘no serious foul play’. 

However, Redknapp disagrees and claims Timber should have seen red for using ‘excessive force’ in the tackle. 

Jamie Redknapp and Paul Merson have claimed  Timber was fortunate to avoid a red

The former Spurs and Liverpool midfielder said on Sky Sports: It’s an unusual actions because he does definitely go over top of the ball, he rolls his foot, he uses an unusual action you normally come in with the side foot to make a challenge like this but he goes over the top with his studs on it. 

‘His foot then bounces on the ball. With the tackle here last year with Curtis Jones and Bissouma, Curtis Jones ended up getting sent off for that so very similar. He is very very lucky.

‘He has given the referee a massive decision to make I think he’s incredibly lucky because other referees I think 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 that’s not the point. It’s the excessive force he has gone in with.’ 

Former Arsenal striker paul Merson agreed with Redknapp, saying: ‘Looking at it, he is (lucky). Naturally when you put your foot on the ball it’s always going to roll that way, it’s never going to put it on and bounce back it’s going to go that way. 

VAR said that while it was ‘a reckless challenge’, there was ‘no serious foul play’ involved 

Arsenal went on to take advantage of having all 11 players on the pitch with a 1-0 win 

‘He’s fortunate especially away from home and the way this referee has given out yellow cards like ice creams, he’s very fortunate.’

Arsenal went on to take advantage of having all 11 players on the pitch by securing a 1-0 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium thanks to Gabriel’s second-half header.