Mohamed Elneny has explained what would make him walk away from Arsenal, speaking to Mehwar TV after the midfielder’s agent confirmed approaches from Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Leeds.
Barely a window goes by without Elneny being linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium.
After being farmed out on loan to Besiktas during Unai Emery’s final season at the helm, the Egypt international looked certain to depart in the summer of 2020.
That was, however, until a handful of impressive performances in pre-season caught Mikel Arteta’s attention.
In the blinking of an eye, Elneny went from outcast to key player, starting in the Community Shield victory over Liverpool.
With his contract expiring in five months’ time, however, it seems unlikely that the long-serving enforcer will be handed another fresh start.
The former Basel ace has started just one Premier League game all season, after all, with youngster Charlie Patino threatening to push Elneny even further down the pecking order.
“I have a dream and I will not give it up,” Elneny admits.
“This question (about my future) is also asked by people very close to me. My answer is: ‘I have a dream and I will achieve it’.
“I see myself in the starting XI. But if I saw that the difference between me and my colleagues at Arsenal was too big, I would leave immediately. I’m not stubborn.”
Does Mo Elneny have a future at Arsenal?
Earlier this week, Elneny’s agent admitted that Newcastle, Leeds and Watford had all submitted enquiries during the January transfer window (Sporx).
But, with the absences of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey exposing the lack of depth in Arsenal’s engine room, Arteta once again decided to stand in Elneny’s way.
“After my loan to Besiktas, Arsenal contacted me with very clear words that I was out of Arteta’s plans. I agreed with my agent on that, but I had to start training with Arsenal until I found a new club,” he adds.
“After a while, Arteta began to re-think. I scored in the next friendly game, another goal, then the Liverpool game came and we won the title (the Community Shield). Arteta told me; ‘You were out of my squad, but now you are one of the important players for me’.
“I talked to the club before the season and in January about my position in the squad and if I have to leave the club. But Arteta rejected that.”
Teams from Turkey continue to show an interest in Elneny. The midfielder’s father, however, has ruled out a return to Egyptian football.
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