Arteta 'could have walked' if Arsenal missed title, says Eboue, as Timber races to be fit for Budapest

Emmanuel Eboue has claimed Mikel Arteta could have quit Arsenal had the club failed to win the Premier League this season, as the Gunners prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday.

Arteta’s side sealed their first league title in 22 years with a game to spare, and the manager was able to rest key players during Sunday’s final-day win at Crystal Palace. That result leaves most of the squad fit and refreshed ahead of what would be a historic double.

“I think if he didn’t win the Premier League, he may have decided to go,” former Arsenal defender Eboue said. “When you are at a club that loves you, who gives you everything to win the league… After you’ve given everything, your best, to go so close after 22 years without winning it, I think he could have walked away.”

The most pressing concern ahead of the final is the fitness of Jurrien Timber, who has missed 14 games with a groin injury. The 24-year-old full-back is on the mend but remains a doubt for Saturday’s showpiece.

Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman has been monitoring the situation closely, naming Ian Maatsen and Lutsharel Geertruida as standby options for the World Cup should Timber fail to recover in time. “The situation with him is that he was due to train with the squad, to see how things look ahead of the weekend,” Koeman said. “We’ll have to wait and see if he’ll make it.”

Timber himself struck a cautiously optimistic tone. “There’s hope, but we’ll see. I’m working really hard and obviously playing in the Champions League final is a dream,” he said. “So I will give everything, and with the World Cup as well, but obviously, first the Champions League final. It’s going to be amazing anyway.”

Should Timber be passed fit, he is expected to be tasked with containing PSG winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the competition.