Arsenal players can feel fans’ anxiety and must learn to handle it, says Timber

• Defender says crowd’s tension noticeable against Chelsea

• ‘It is something we need to work on and talk about’

Jurrien Timber says Arsenal’s players can feel the anxiety of the Emirates Stadium crowd and must find a way to handle it as they chase a first Premier League title since 2004.

The defender gestured for calm in the stands after 63 minutes of Sunday’s game against Chelsea with the score at 1-1; he would score what proved to be the winner three minutes later. The fans’ nerves did not ease – even after the Chelsea winger Pedro Neto was sent off in the 70th minute – and Timber felt them particularly strongly in the closing stages.