I don't have "the" answer, but I know there is also a perceived advantage to the throttles being mounted up high in view of the crew when it pertains to attempting to prevent takeoff with only one engine at flight. Also it can be more obvious to the crew which throttle to pull if so required in an EP. That said, short of TR failures, there isn't a rush to close a throttle in any emergency and pilots should take their time identifying and slowly closing that throttle to begin with.