Arsenal: Mohamed Elneny won’t get what he deserves

Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny had quite the game against Ostersunds FK. But with competition high in the midfield and Arsene Wenger having a selection dilemma to sift through, I fear that he won’t get what he deserves.

Arsenal showed what they could do with a convincing 3-0 win over FK Ostersunds in the first-leg of the Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday night. The problem for them, however, has been their inability to carry over that same form on a consistent basis in the Premier League. If they could, then they might just be able to haul their way back into the top-four.

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One player who has to emulate his level of performance is Egyptian international Mohamed Elneny. Elneny hasn’t had many games to remember since arriving two years ago. But on a cold Thursday night in Sweden, he had quite the game.

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He was always there to squash any attack from the opposition, dictated the tempo, spraying passes around all over the pitch, and controlled the game with a wonderful command and authority. He dominated the midfield with pin-point passing and well-timed tackles. With the young and relatively inexperienced Ainsley Maitland-Niles alongside him, it was only natural for Elneny to drop deep and cover. He did a wonderful job in doing so.

Elneny may not have been on the scoreboard but he was dominating in the middle of the park. Completing 111 passes and only losing possession once the whole game. It’s easy to see why Elneny was everyone’s favourite player at the end of it all. He was there to shut down the opposition attacks with tackles and interceptions that maybe Granit Xhaka wouldn’t have been able to, and then looked to initiate attacks himself once he had recovered possession.

Elneny has now given manager Arsene Wenger a selection headache. There are only so many midfield spots available for next Sunday’s Carabao Cup final. It will be difficult to squeeze everyone in, and given the limitations of Elneny’s game, it is highly that he will be the one left out.

When he does start, however, it helps balance the team, providing focus for those who are more inclined to sharpen the attacking aspects of their game. Elneny may not be the rip-roaring midfielder that people want at the heart of the team. But he is a complementary option that should be explored, especially with Xhaka’s troubles.

The problem is that I am not sure if Wenger will use him. He has been little more than a reserve squad player this season, filling in when injuries, suspensions and fatigue have set in. With Aaron Ramsey close to a return and Jack Wilshere now up to speed, those same concerns are not so pertinent.

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Elneny was excellent against Ostersunds. He deserves more recognition and more playing time. I’m not sure he’ll get either.