Mikel Arteta admits there is concern over Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny’s injury – surely ruling out a move to Aston Villa this month.
Elneny picked up a knee injury in training earlier this month and missed the trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
Elneny also missed Sunday’s home win over Manchester United, leaving some to worry about his absence.
Arsenal boss Arteta has now commented on Elneny’s situation and it doesn’t sound like great news for the Egyptian midfielder.
Arteta has told Arseblog that there are ‘concerns’ over Elneny, largely because he doesn’t usually complain about injuries.
Arteta wouldn’t commit to a timescale on Elneny but it seems that Arsenal will have to do without him for a while yet.
“There are concerns. Especially as Mo is a player that never complains about anything. Let’s see,” said Arteta.
Mohamed Elneny surely not leaving Arsenal for Aston Villa now
Elneny was actually linked with a shock move away from Arsenal earlier this month.
The Sunday Mirror (08/01, p78) reported that Aston Villa boss Unai Emery wanted to bring Elneny to Villa Park during the transfer window.
A £6million deal was suggested given that Elneny is out of contract at the end of the season.
The rumours seemed a little bizarre to begin with; Elneny worked under Emery at Arsenal and didn’t exactly love it.
The 30-year-old admitted in 2021 that he was frustrated at barely being given a chance by Emery, and he even left Arsenal for a loan spell at Besiktas.
The Mirror suggested that the pair have patched up their differences since going their separate ways, but a transfer still seemed a little hard to imagine.
Aston Villa seem to be in the market for a new midfielder – another man with Arsenal ties has been linked in Matteo Guendouzi.
Yet if Emery was hoping for a late deal for Elneny, his hopes have been effectively ended by this injury problem.
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