Shortly before the end of Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Chelsea, Jurrien Timber and Enzo Maresca had an odd conversation. The Gunners knew going into the match that they needed a boost to their already slim chances of winning the title, and they were able to reduce Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League to 12 points after makeshift forward Mikel Merino converted a corner from the return of Martin Odegaard.
Maresca’s team put on a lacklustre performance, and the visitors were unable to capitalise on what was ultimately a lacklustre showing from the hosts. To make matters worse, fans on the internet think they have figured out the nasty remark Dutch defender Timber made to the Italian well into stoppage time in the second half.
Maresca is told to “try harder” by Timber during Chelsea’s victory.
At the conclusion of the game, the two were observed conversing.
Maresca was seen griping about Arsenal winning a free kick in the final moments of the match in video that went viral on social media. Timber, who was standing on the sidelines next to Maresca, was then the target of the complaints. The two then started talking, with the former Ajax player seemingly telling the Chelsea manager to “try harder” over and over while grinning, before finally congratulating the Italian.
dfkm did timber tell him to try harder 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/PL1eFEjcRl
— munii🧃 (@m1nuyln) March 16, 2025
Before play started, the two men shook hands on the touchline, as if they could see the humorous side of the exchange.
Even though Pep Guardiola’s team lost to Brighton on Saturday, the loss puts Chelsea five points behind third-place Nottingham Forest and right in the middle of fifth-place Manchester City. Maresca asserted that he was pleased with his team’s performance at the Emirates, even though the chance to distance himself from the Cityzens was not taken advantage of.
“I believe we played the entire game. The former Leicester City manager claimed that there was little difference between our two games. “Given the injuries, we fought until the end.”
“We produced some opportunities and maintained control of the game. We were there in the second half. I believe we did a great job competing overall.
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