Mikel Arteta admits he’s been impressed by Mohamed Elneny’s performances this season but made clear it’s too early for talk of a contract extension.
Many expected the Egypt international to leave Arsenal when he returned from a year-long spell at Besiktas but after impressing the boss in training he was handed a chance to challenge for a regular starting berth.
From the moment he scored from the halfway line in a pre-season friendly with MK Dons, he’s not looked back.
After the 28-year-old was lauded for his efforts in the 1-0 win over Manchester United, Arteta was asked about the way his former teammate has stepped up.
“I think he is responding really well to all the challenges we are putting in front of him,” said the boss.
“He had a big one when he came back from his loan spell to show what he could bring to the squad and I think everyone has seen what he can do, so I am really pleased with his performances and what he brings to the team.”
Elneny is under contract at the Emirates until July 2022 so there’s no particular rush to nail him down to a new deal, but if he continues to deliver the goods, it’s not out of the question.
Not that Arteta would be drawn on the matter. He said: “Let’s go step by step please!”
“What I can say is that I am really pleased with the player and everything that he is doing and hopefully he can continue like that and perform rally well throughout the season.”
He will be 30 by then so no rush
Yeah. When he hits 30 we can do the Arsenal thing and tie him down to a four year contract at 120k a week.
Seriously, why did we sign Willian or Soares?
I think the rest of the business has been pretty good but those 2 make no sense to me.
I suppose, not that I don’t agree with you, that at the moment we have no injuries and relative freshness.
Once this seasons insanity truly kicks off it is good to have a certain amount of squad depth.
But no, I agree, it seems mental. Especially when we have no place for potential youngsters like ESR and Nelson. These guys are ready for us to put our trust in.
One word, one agent: KIA
He shafted Raul
Not sure he shafted Don Raul. Don Raul was only too happy to give his mate Kia way over the asking price for his handmendowns. And here we are.
Rewind a couple of months and not many people were concerned about giving Willian a three year contract at the money he’s now on. In fact many were pleased that it had happened.
Soares for sure. Big miss.
So that Papa and Ozil can enjoy a very long paid vacation?
Let’s just imagine the presence of Soares is what triggered the return to form for Bellerin. Willian shall make sense with time. Maybe not this season but he will come good.
Maitland-Niles looked liked he wanted out in January or was unprepared to play fullback, so getting a back-up right-back made sense at the time. Maybe someone at the club could’ve just had a conversation with AMN at the time? Willian has been performing at a high level for Chelsea for a few years now and the manager probably wanted some technical security in the wide forward positions (plus the ‘war-chest’ was more of a ‘war-lunchbox’ during the summer). Note that the manager is playing him regularly as it is, as well (I don’t think he’s been as bad as people… Read more »
V Utd…….. he drove forward a lot, he passed forward a lot.
AND he complied with the non negotiables.
Elneny on the back of a fans shirt….. sure!!!
you don’t sound very cranky
I was …… after Leicester
He is a very precise passer of the ball. He doesn’t provide penetrating passes often but you can see that he is encouraged to get into supporting positions further upfield and look for the mechanics of a third man run. The midfield is way less ponderous and open with Partey and elneny. Ceballos and Xhaka will probably be used as a combo for teams in a low mid block. For low block it will be Partey and Ceballos. One with pace to slow down opposition counterattacks and both can lift balls over opposition backline and keep the ball moving quickly… Read more »
With some distance from the midfield performance on Sunday, one would wish to exercise caution. There was a time when Francis Coquelin was the best defensive midfielder in the league after returning from loan, and there was also the return of Mathieu Flamini. Hoping that Elneny goes the distance, but Arteta is unlikely to place all his eggs in this basket just yet.