A serious knee injury may have curtailed Mo Elneny’s season prematurely but the Egypt international says he’s doing everything he can to support his teammates as they look to secure the Premier League title.
Despite undergoing surgery at the tail-end of January, manager Mikel Arteta was more than happy to hand the midfielder a new one-year deal so he could focus on his rehab without worrying about where his future lies.
The deal, thought to be on reduced terms, was also an acknowledgement of the 30-year-old’s importance to the team, not just as a backup to Thomas Partey but as a respected voice in the dressing room.
Elneny couldn’t be more grateful to sign the extension.
“It was really special because I love this football club,” he told the PA news agency.
“They care as much about me as I care about them and they showed that, it was a really good feeling.
“When I got my injury, they spoke to me straight away, Mikel, on day one after my injury. Of course, that is something special to me.
“The first ever interview I gave when I signed, they asked me about what I saw in the future – I said I wanted to be an Arsenal legend.
“I still want to be that, I want to stay here as long as I can because of how much I love this club. I don’t think I would be able to go and play for a different team any more.
“That is why every day I come here to give everything, to make sure I can stay here as long as I can.”
Arsenal may have signed Jorginho from Chelsea to fill the gap left by Elneny but the Egyptian maintains he doesn’t feel left out. The opposite in fact.
“I’m not on the pitch but I am still a part of what is going on at the moment,” he continued.
“For me, when I come to our football club every morning, it is not in my mind that I’m not playing, no injury – I come with a smile on my face, to give energy to people when they need it.
“I come in every day and I try to give everything to my family, because we work as a family and I look I try to look after my family. I try to give everything to this family. To be successful. I talk to them, I listen. We discuss things football and not football.”
Arsenal didn’t put a timeline on Elneny’s return but we suspect he may miss the start of the next campaign.
Lovely attitude, lovely person.
He is not the greatest player to ever wear the Arsenal shirt but I hope he will be remembered as a true club legend.
Classy
Does anybody think there’s something up with TO? Injury or some damn thing.
He does vary between the most sublime player to being a liability in a fair percentage of games…….West Ham being a prime example……..he was magnificent first 30/35 mins.
What nonsense are you saying, partey has been exceptional all season to the point fans were crying for him back when he was out , yes after his mistake on Sunday he was bad but that’s an anomaly as this season he’s been one of our most important players, stop being reactionary.
Maybe why he had a physio trailing him on international duty
Sorry ….TP
Cornhol-e-o? Is that you?
I definitely don’t need thomas partey for my bung hole.
TP for my bunghole
Like the guy but he won’t be a legend. Legends do not spend most of their career on the bench.
Not entirely true.
Arsene Wenger for example spent all of his arsenal carreer on the bench and he is true legend 😀
Looool
Legendary dignity.
Legendary team player.
Legendary commitment
Legendary loyalty.
Legendary calm presence.
Legendary smile.
He ain’t flash – but every shining light is only ever as good as a reliable battery, hidden away from view.
I think he falls into the ‘cult hero’ category.
Well, that’s put a smile on my face! Thanks Mo, you’re a top guy
When we went up to Anfield in 1989, the club took a 52 seater, full of first XI, reserves, youths, management and training staff.
Siege mentality; we took as many friendly faces into the lion’s den as we could.
I hope the club do likewise, as far as practicalities will allow, on Wednesday week at the Etihad.
Mo has a massive part still to play – and he knows it.
COYG
Seriously can’t think of an Arsenal player I’ve admired more over the years ? To top it all he’s a very good player ! Not elite but what a guy to be there to do a job when you need him ! Stay forever Mo I’d be happy with that !
Bloody diamond geeza… no question. Hope we pull him into the coaching/management in some way once he’s hangs his boots up.
Super Mo’Nenny.
I’m going to be controversial here but in each game I’ve watched him don’t get me wrong he’s very good, but he seems to take a long time to get going…first two/ three touches.not great..he then seems to click..now them first poor passes can be crucial. Good on him for not letting them affect his whole game. What do I know?