Arsenal: Mohamed Elneny gives comprehensive look at his limitations

Arsenal utilized Mohamed Elneny in his natural position in the midfield, but all in all, we more or less got a look at the extent of his abilities.

Arsenal had been using Mohamed Elneny as an emergency fill-in along the defensive three and it had been, well, partially innovative and partially disastrous. But against FC Koln, he was put back into his natural role in the center of the pitch.

I have to say, he was good. He was absolutely, positively adequate. He took no risks and suffered no issues. What he did do, which he deserves commendations for, is make himself readily available no matter who had the ball. He was always open for the pass and he was fielding the ball left and right.

He completed 94% of his passes, but created just one chance and took just one off-target shot. Again, he did so many respectable things. So many calm and composed things in his natural position. But at no point was he dangerous. His crosses had a hint of spice on them, but they were nothing like his pristine cross against Leicester City.

It was spectacularly average and gloriously good.

It was a comprehensive, all-inclusive look into what a squad run by Elneny would look like. If everything goes according to plan and everyone does their job, they will look calm and cool and relaxed. But when pressed to change the flow of the game, it’s not exactly the easiest thing to do.

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The most telling sign, to me, that Elneny is not of Arsenal quality is that, throughout Granit Xhaka‘s struggles across the board – and he has had his fair share – Elneny has not once looked capable of holding onto the same job, let alone merely sneaking in for a match or two, which he did manage last year.

There has to be some sort of pressure exerted on the first-choice players by those playing behind them and Elneny simply doesn’t provide it. He is splendidly average. I think the right team may be able to use him well, but for Arsenal, who already have trouble with punching home goals every so often, Elneny is not the guy.

Defensively, he doesn’t do much. Offensively, he does similar. You always have to admire the guy’s work ethic, but beyond that, I just think it’s time we accept that it’s time to move on. He was unable to power this team, at the heart of the team, against Bundesliga bottom-feeders FC Koln.

Next: 5 Things Learned Against FC Koln

And granted, that isn’t all his fault, but he was the pivot, the Aaron Ramsey role. And nothing came of it. No sort of push or drive.

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