Jurrien Timber urges Arsenal to confront late-game anxiety in title race run-in

The Gunners restored their five-point cushion at the summit with a tense 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Timber's second-half header proved decisive in a contest dominated by set-pieces, but the closing stages told a familiar story.

Despite playing the final 20 minutes against 10 men after Pedro Neto's dismissal, Arsenal retreated into their shell. Goalkeeper David Raya was required to produce a superb stoppage-time save to deny Alejandro Garnacho, while a late equaliser was ruled out for offside as nerves swept around the stadium.

"You feel it, especially at the end," Timber admitted. "We stopped playing, which was unnecessary, especially with a man up. It's something we need to work on and talk about.

"It has happened a couple of times already. Sometimes we got through it, but there have been a couple of times where we didn't."

Recent weeks have highlighted the issue. Since the turn of the year, Arsenal have conceded damaging late goals against Wolves, Brentford and Manchester United - dropped points that could yet prove costly in a tight title race. Timber believes the anxiety stems from a combination of internal and external pressures.

"It's part of the game - the energy within the players, the crowd, the anxiety," he said. "You have to understand what happens in the moment. But it's something we need to address."

While Timber delivered the winner, he reserved special praise for Raya, whose interventions proved just as vital. The Spaniard prevented a Declan Rice own goal in the first half and produced a string of second-half stops, including his dramatic save in the 92nd minute.

"David is amazing," Timber said. "Often he shows that he wins us games. He has a lot of magic moments. He's a great character and a leader in our group. These actions can define a season."

The victory keeps Manchester City at arm's length, although Pep Guardiola's side still have a game in hand. The two clubs will also meet later this season in the league and in the Carabao Cup final, adding further intrigue to a campaign in which both remain alive in the Champions League and FA Cup.

With nine league matches remaining - starting away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday - the finishing line is in sight. Yet Timber insists it does not feel that way.

"I heard it is just nine games to go, but it feels so far off because we're playing in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup," he said. "There are so many games to play. If we look too far ahead, it becomes a bit too much.

"For now, we recover and look at Brighton."

After three successive second-place finishes, Arsenal know the margins are razor-thin. If they are to end their long wait for a league title, steadying their nerves in the decisive moments may prove just as important as any goal scored.

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