Arsenal: Mohamed Elneny news means nothing for midfield partners

Mohamed Elneny has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal. The news, though, means nothing for the futures of his midfield partners, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey.

Mohamed Elneny, as it was released on Monday afternoon, has signed a new long-term contract. While the precise terms have not, as of writing, been released, it is fair to assume that the deal will keep him at Arsenal well into the 2020s.

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The Egyptian international, signed a little over two years ago, has never been able to forge a regular starting role for himself. There are rather substantial limitations with his game, from his restricted passing range to his mediocre but not marvellous athleticism, and there are more influential, higher-ceiling players in the squad to take his place.

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Nevertheless, his reliability, consistency, and willingness to be little more than a reserve, rotational player should not be overlooked. They are valuable assets to a team that often struggles with great variance in their performances from week to week. But let’s not overplay the possible ramifications of the deal. It is important and it should be celebrated and praised. But it does not change much in regards to the other decisions that need to be made at the central midfield position.

Specifically, I am referring to the futures of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere. Both are nearing the end of their respective contracts — the former’s has a year more to run but both are either coming up to crunch time or right in the middle of it –, both are fairly controversial figures with a wide array of opinions regarding their qualities and their influence, and both have dealt with a mire of injury and fitness issues, which often muddle the pictures of their futures.

Nevertheless, the securing of Elneny’s future should not change the perspective on Wilshere or Ramsey. While it is another body ensured for the next two or three years, it does not mean that Arsenal now have the quantity and quality in central midfield to allow either of their two fledgeling starters to depart.

Elneny is not of the level required to entrust him with 30 Premier League starts and believe that the team can mount a serious and sustained title challenge. He is perfectly adequate, but he’s little more than that. Now, some may say the same about Wilshere and Ramsey, and, at least to some extent, they may have a point. But I believe there is one key difference.

Both Ramsey and Wilshere have the potential to be leading Premier League midfielders, at least for a period. They may lack the fitness consistency needed to stay at the top level for a number of years, but when they hit their stride, however rare that may be, they are far superior players to what Elneny could ever be.

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So, even with Elneny’s future secured, Arsenal have neither the quantity nor the quality to allow either Wilshere or Ramsey to leave. In that regard, then, nothing has changed whatsoever. Contracts still need to be sorted, and sharpish.