Mikel Arteta has revealed he blocked Mohamed Elneny from leaving the club in January saying he knew the Egyptian would be needed during the final months of the season.
The midfielder was handed his first start since December when Arsenal faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and, as he so often does, he ended the evening earning praise from the boss and supporters for an assured performance.
Quick to put any rustiness to one side, the Egypt international went toe-to-toe with N’Golo Kante in the centre of the park to justify his selection ahead of Sambi Lokonga. The 29-year-old will now be hoping he retains his place for tomorrow’s clash with Manchester United.
Asked about his faith in Elneny, Arteta said: “I always said that for me, he’s one of the most important members of the squad.
“For what he does when you give him the chance to play and for the things when he doesn’t play.
“It’s a phenomenal person and then you have to judge the footballer as someone who probably doesn’t get the credit that he deserves.”
After six-and-a-half years at the club, Elneny looks destined to leave the club in the summer when his current deal ends.
Since impressing on loan for Besiktas a couple of years back, he’s been regularly linked with return to Turkey and is certain to have no shortage of suitors come July. Many showed interest at the turn of the year while he was at the African Cup of Nations.
Asked about the decision to block a move, Arteta revealed: “It was more in January than in the summer and I think he understood that with the squad we had I could not let another player leave.
“It’s a tough balance because, in the end, they are in a period of their career where they are looking to extend their football lives but at the same time, I thought he could be important for the team in the last part of the season.”
“We’re going to have a conversation at the end of the season,” said Arteta about his former teammate’s future. “I’m really happy with him, that’s all I can say.”
It was against Man U. he had that insane performance before wasn’t it? When he ran around like a Duracell bunny on speed. More of the same tomorrow please!
The thing about Elneny is you just know he’s absolutely thrilled to be at a club like Arsenal. Let’s be honest, this will be the pinnacle of his playing CV.
We’ve had a lot of players who have taken Arsenal for granted so I love the players like Elneny or Jenkinson or some of the young lads that are just so proud and excited to be with us.
Thank you for being a bench warmer
You’ve got to play him more chief.
Dunno if I’ll be in the minority or not, but I say give him a new deal. Provided at least that it’s not at the expense of a midfield signing this summer, which I think is essential.
His experience will be important to this young team and it’s quite rare to find a model professional who pretty much always does a solid job when required who’s perfectly happy being on standby for months at a time.
If we sign another midfielder, we’d have Partey, Xhaka, Lokonga, and the new signing. Elneny’s playing time will even shrink further.
I think he should be let go for his own sake.
He needs to play regularly.
Unlike this season, next one we’ll have European football (hopefully champions league, worst case Europa League). That’s a lot more playing opportunity and we’ll need a bigger squad to cope.
Oh yeah, I totally agree that if he wants to go then best of luck to him. I just think we should put an offer in front of him and give him the option. It doesn’t appear like he’s itching to leave, and if he does then his future’s very much in his hands either way
Solid role player; gives 100% 100% of the time. Really like him. Consummate professional; was great on Weds, and almost always delivers a 6/10 performance or better. Know he’s probably on his way this summer but, at 7 million pounds, I’d rate him overall as a net bargain and a clear net positive for the club.
Have always though Elneny has been a solid squad player. Certainly not a starting level match in match out holding midfielder, but certainly can come in and be a consistent performer that will not lose a game for you. Works his tail off and is always safe in possession and doesn’t give up stupid fouls as many others do.
If he’s so vital, how come he hasn’t started more often?
He’s a squad player- I believe that’s the point we are making.
He should get a new contract!He is a train at the midfield ,every time when he played the game ,he can be the first defensive wall in front of the square!
People like Mo Elneny are rare to find in any profession and its harder to find them in the cut throat world of football. The ones who put team first ahead of themselves.
A guy who is comfortable in his skill and himself, gives 100% all the time and knows that he isn’t in the team because there are arguably better players ahead of him.
Wenger knew what he was bringing in
The key, for me, is that 4-2-3-1 just suits us better than 4-3-3
Let’s stick with that until we get the squad to change…..
Elneny came in next to Xhaka and gave us some security so our talented youngsters could run amok up front 💥
I would give him a new deal. He doesn’t seem to complain much, his a great engine and looks like he keeps himself in great shape, and we need a deeper squad for whatever European competition we’re in next year.
He’d probably extend for what he’s on.
play elneny instead ov sambi. i wish arteta to use the same lineup which bit chealse
I have said it before but i will say it again, you need players like him in your squad. Too many fans say get rid of him and Holding they cost 10 million combined. When you look at the money we have wasted I think we have had our monies worth from these two . I would keep both.
I’ve always thought Mo was massively underrated by Arsenal fans. I’m not sure I can remember when he has ever let us down badly. Yes he isn’t spectacular but when called upon he has always given a decent performance and occasionally he has put in a stormer. I’ve always sung his praises and I thought I might be mad for seeing something in him that not many other seem to see.
I Love Elneny to bits. As everyone mentioned he is a consummate professional. People complain that he passes sideways, but that’s his role. Recycle the ball quickly and screen the defenders. He is capable of much more, he can pass the ball vertically and score goals from long range like he did last season. Also note how he is always near the side line throughout the game and encourages the team. He joins them in celebrations and is always smiling. No matter what anyone say he is comfortable with his space and he knows his capability. He has no ego… Read more »
Love Elneny and he is a key part of the Egypt national team and won more with them that Gerrard did with England!!!!
Elneny is our old reliable. You can count on him to get the job done. Can still remember how he anchored the midfield with Partey when we won at Old Trafford in the League.
People who rail against Elneny piss me off so much. A decent option.but also an excellent servant of the club. Could we upgrade? Probably, but you dont find players with his attitude all too readily
Elneny always moves the ball quickly, gets criticised for moving it sideways too often, but his speed and precision is what we could have done with against Palace and Brighton. I’d rather keep him than AMN because he’s not the type to start moaning all over Instagram.
I’d like to see him get a run of games, and let Sambi take notes from the bench. No comparison.
Mohammed Alneny has been fantastic against Chelsea deserve a credit because when I looked to Chelsea squad compare to Arsenal I said to one of the Chelsea friend that no way Arsenal to win .me IWas a player in Africa I used to play either no 10 nor 9 but it’s not easy. Mike Arteta need to know that the bigger the squad the chances you get to win.
He is the one lad I would give a contract to if he wants it ? Very underrated player and should play more but next year is Europe so Mo becomes even more important What a great lad and true Gooner as well !