Mo Elneny has reiterated his desire to stay at Arsenal beyond his current deal although he doesn’t yet know whether the club wants to keep him.
Six weeks ago, the idea the Egypt international might be offered a new contract was inconceivable, however, a run of five consecutive games covering for the injured Thomas Partey has reminded the manager and fanbase of his qualities.
Set to be a free agent in July, it’s been reported that Mikel Arteta wants to retain the midfielder’s experience as the club gears up for a return to European action.
While regular football at Emirates Stadium is far from guaranteed, Elneny is open to extending a stay that started in 2016.
“I’ve said before, if Arsenal want me, it’s my club, my family, but it’s not my decision,” he told Sky Sports. “I have to wait for them to say ‘Mo, we want you’.
“Since the first day I have been here, it has felt like a family. We really work like that here, it’s such a beautiful club.”
Elneny’s hard work behind the scenes and the patience he’s shown while on the sidelines this season has earned him a big fan in Arteta. It’s clear their relationship, which dates back to the boss’ playing days, is built on mutual trust.
“I always believed. I do my job, I let Mikel [Arteta] do his job too and respect his decisions. He always does the right thing for the team, that’s what I believe.
“Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka were playing and doing really well, there was never anything to explain, I understood. I just knew I had to be ready, we work as a team and in football everything can change in one second.
“When you suddenly are playing and the fans can see you, when you feel you play well, when you’re winning, you feel that change. I’m really proud when I hear something good about me, and they see how hard I work for this club.”
Top guy! Give him a new contract already.
He may not quite be Zidane, but it is hard to find committed players that are not guaranteed a first eleven place. Also in recent times Mo has found the forward pass, bt is still reliable with ball retention.
In my view, Elneny hasn’t just found “the forward pass” in recent games. I believe that it’s always been a part of his game, and he’s shown that from time to time in the games that he’s played for us over the years.
The real issue is that he hasn’t been rated for what he brings to the table, and therefore aspects of his game have been either ignored, or downplayed, by sections of our fanbase over the years.
You nailed it !
We love you to, Mo.
We should be forging forward not backwards. You can’t use players like Elneny and Cedric to win CL. They should be allowed to him go.
He’s reached his ceiling.
Whoaaa easy there! Not sure we’ll even be in the CL next year let alone winning it!
I remember one squad player by the name of Mathieu Flamini that slotted in at LB & helped us get to the final in 2006, so not completely true.
Every club in England, except Man City, have squad players no better than Elneny. Including Liverpool–you know, the CL finalist and recent champion.
Kind of with ya and kind of not. Definitely feel we should be moving on from him, the time is right and contractually, its come to a natural conclusion. At the same time, as ppl say, its very hard to find committed players who do not play most games. Elneny is a solid squaddie. Balancing the opposing ideas above is tricky. However it does just come down to finances. I expect we will spend a considerable amount again this window. But losing Elneny would mean Eddie, Laca, AMN and Elneny are leaving with what 10mill for AMN max in return?… Read more »
funny thing is that Mo arrived at the scene precisely due to his performances in the CL with Basel.. he is a perfect 3rd/4th choice and could well become part of the backroom staff one day.
So if you let him go, are you replacing him with a top class player that will be happy to sit on the bench? There aren’t too many of those, and Mo is good enough to fill in without too much of a drop off. And he may not win you the CL, but there are also 38 league games and cup games. You need players for those too.
Thank God you’re not Arteta.😃
The thing I love about Mo is that his attitude about the club is pretty much the same as anyone on this website would have “i love this club and I want to stay as long as possible”
Tie him down. He deserves it. You cant find any better squad player than Mo. Put the club first before his own. Respect.
Absolute dude, just the sort of person you want in your squad.
He’s a useful squad player, no harm in keeping him around as 4th or 5th choice CM on reasonable wages.
Only downside would be if he doesn’t take too many minutes away from young players we need to develop, like Lokonga. But that’s up to Arteta to manage
A true professional.
‘Mo, we want you!’
~Signed, Appreciative Gooners
With Sambi playing the same position, wonder if Mo staying will affect his progress and game time.
But with that said, if James Miller is able to provide squad cover at Pool, then I seriously dun think why Mo can’t offer the same.
He is the type of squad players we need to keep to fight for top honours and trophies. When he plays, you know you are going at get a 7-8/10 performance consistently.
A solid and humble professional – should always be a couple of those in the squad.
He is our Egyptian Pirlo. Give that contract.
He should be our next manager.
I have never seen such a unanimous message board. Elneny is the man who unites us!
He’s not good but not that good, I find him playing backwards most times. He’s unable to hold the ball look around and turn, move with the ball and find spaces for a good pass. For me that is his downfall.