Arsenal: 17 players on loan or with 2023 contract expiry
Mohamed Elneny
Elneny may as well walk around the pitch with ‘limited edition’ stuck to his forehead. It’s impossible to mention the Egyptian without listing his drawbacks.
What he is, however, is someone who knows how to play defensive midfield. He isn’t magnificent at it and is relatively average in all departments, but as someone who will fill in when needed and not kick up a fuss or strop and moan, Arsenal could do far worse then keeping him on as a fourth choice central midfielder.
He does only have one year left, though. It’s not like Arsenal are going to be making a fortune on him if they sold this summer and if they kept him on for the final year of his deal merely as a backup player then it wouldn’t constitute a dreadful decision.
If there is money to buy better then sell. Otherwise, it’s not a detrimental call.
Verdict: Keep