Arsenal Make Mohamed Elneny Transfer Decision

Arsenal have made a call on Mohamed Elneny’s immediate future.

Transfer season is in full swing. Arsenal are set for a busy window almost entirely centred around outgoings, moves that could prompt players moving in the other direction.

Already we’ve seen Sead Kolasinac join former club Schalke 04 on a six-month loan deal, one which has seen Arsenal accrue a €3m loan fee and does not include a mandatory purchase option, with more deals in the works.

William Saliba was the next to temporarily depart north London, this time joining OGC Nice until the end of the season, but someone who will not be making way this month is Mohamed Elneny.

Besiktas, who previously loaned Elneny for the 2019/20 campaign, have been rumoured to offer a permanent €7m transfer this January. But a few months ago, Arsenal may well have taken the Turkish side’s bid without a moment’s hesitation.

As per football.london, there will be no winter departure for the Egyptian as Mikel Arteta intends to keep the midfielder for the remainder of the season to aid with their push up the Premier League table, and for their Europa League campaign.

Arteta handed Elneny a chance to stake a claim at the beginning of the season, one the 28-year-old grasped with both hands. Some impressive displays in the heart of midfield prompted a change of heart from the manager, who felt Elneny could be of service to the club this term.

Although his decent early form has since tailed off with a handful of less than inspiring outings, it’s highly doubtful that Arsenal will be making any additions to that area of the pitch this month, thus reducing the numbers in midfield is not on Arteta’s mind.

Elneny is a squad player by all accounts. Great determination and work-rate, coupled with good man-management saw him elevate his game to a level few saw probable, including a stirring performance in the victory at Old Trafford.

Imagining that could be sustained for an entire campaign was the result of shock-induced zealousness. While a drop-off was inevitable, with plenty of the season left to play Arsenal still need a player of his ilk to fill in when called upon. All squads need an Elneny-esque workaholic with complete focus and professionalism, even if they’re not world-beaters.

Selling in the summer won’t make a vast financial difference.