Arsenal walked away from the Phillips Stadion with a healthy lead from the first leg of the Champions League round of 16, thrashing PSV Eindhoven.
Seven goals scored by six different players saw the Gunners smash PSV 7-1, all but sealing their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
While the return leg at the Emirates Stadium is just around the corner, Arsenal will hope to avoid a total collapse to book a slot in the next round.
With a view to further in the competition, Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid await in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, which could prove to be a tricky tie.
Arsenal will need their full squad available for such a tie, which means potential protection for Jurrien Timber as he walks a suspension tightrope over the next few games.
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Jurrien Timber on yellow card suspension tightrope in the Champions League
Jurrien Timber was the one who kickstarted Arsenal’s fantastic evening in Eindhoven, scoring the opener with a back post header for his side.
While it was an almost perfect evening for the defender, he did pick up a yellow card in the 69th minute to sour his performance ever so slightly.
That, in turn, was his second yellow card in the Champions League this season and it now puts him in a precarious position.
Three yellow cards in the Champions League result in a one-game suspension, with that risk now hanging over his head.
The slate on bookings isn’t wiped clear until after the quarter-final stage, meaning that suspension risk won’t be cleared for another three games at best.
It means Arsenal need to be careful with Timber, along with Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Martinelli who have two yellow cards for their name.
Arsenal must rest Jurrien Timber for PSV second leg
With Arsenal holding a six-goal lead heading into the second leg of the clash with PSV, it wouldn’t make sense to risk Timber and a possible suspension.
One of Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid awaits, posing a serious risk with some of the forward players at their disposal.
With Ben White not quite fit enough after injury – still building his way back to regular minutes – Timber could be needed for such an important tie.
Risking him and a suspension in a tie that is almost secured would be a baffling choice from Mikel Arteta.
For that reason, it makes sense to rest Timber in that second leg.
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