Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles could hand Mikel Arteta a nightmare in the January transfer window, with both midfielders considering their futures, per The Sun.
Elneny and Maitland-Niles stayed at the Emirates Stadium following interest in the summer but have failed to secure key roles. Arteta has consistently favoured Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka or his £17m signing Albert Sambi Lokonga over the Gunners’ early fixtures.
Arteta wants Elneny to stay in north London and sign new terms, with the Egyptian out of contract next June. However, Arsenal have so far failed to agree a deal and are reluctant to let him leave for free. So, may look to cash in during the winter market if there is interest.
Maitland-Niles could also look to leave Arsenal during the mid-season transfer window in search of more regular game time. The 24-year-old was set to sign for Everton on Deadline Day, but Arteta blocked his exit at the last minute.
But Arteta has only started Maitland-Niles in one Premier League fixture and one Carabao Cup tie so far. Instead, making four of his five top-flight appearances from the bench, with a longest cameo to date of 19-minutes.
Additionally, Arteta only started Maitland-Niles against Norwich City as Xhaka served a suspension for his red card. Leaving the five-cap England international to question his future at the Emirates, and potential leave Arteta in a nightmare situation.
Arteta will lose Partey and Elneny in January while they compete at AFCON, with Lokonga and Maitland-Niles his only cover. Nonetheless, Arsenal will consider selling at least Elneny in the January transfer window – if not Maitland-Niles as well – to recoup some form of fee.
Should Arsenal sell Elneny and/or Maitland-Niles in January transfers?
Arsenal will have to consider selling Elneny in the January transfer window if he does not sign the contract Arteta wants the 29-year-old to sign. The Gunners may also have to consider Maitland-Niles’ future if he becomes too discouraged by his role at the Emirates.
Arteta can at least tempt Maitland-Niles to stay around for longer by using the £52k-a-week dynamo in defence. The Athletic report he is no longer against playing at full-back if it means playing regularly, as that could be his best route back into the England set-up.
But as Elneny is out of contract next summer, Arsenal may have to hope clubs sniff out his services. As Galatasaray did this summer, with Takvim reporting he even agreed a contract with the Super Lig outfit to leave Arteta, who considers him ‘special’, via the Metro.
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