Ex-Spurs man explains what Arteta told him about Arsenal’s Elneny two years ago

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Former Tottenham striker Mido spoke on his YouTube channel about Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny.

The Gunners midfielder spent last season on loan in Turkey with Besiktas where he had a brilliant campaign. Elneny is now back with Arsenal and has started each of the club’s last two games, albeit due to lack of available options.

The former Basel man even scored from long range in the friendly game against MK Dons before having a fine evening at Wembley as he helped Arsenal beat Liverpool to lift the Community Shield.

As good as Elneny was, and as good as he can be, it is unlikely that he stays at Arsenal beyond the end of this transfer window. The Gunners are close to getting Dani Ceballos back on loan while they are also actively chasing Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey (Goal).

With Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Mesut Ozil set to stay as well, Arsenal will have more than enough midfielders. However, Mido has revealed his conversation with Arteta about his compatriot and has explained why Elneny could stay in the Gunners boss’s plans for the new season.

He said:”I have met Arteta in Wales two years ago and I have asked him about Mohamed Elneny. Arteta replied: ‘Elneny is a very good player and I like him because he is not easily dispossessed.’

“I think Arteta’s style of playing out from the back grants Elneny a golden opportunity to stay at Arsenal. Elneny played very smartly against Liverpool and this could make him part of Arteta’s project at Arsenal.”

Elneny, undoubtedly, is a very useful player to have in the squad. His passing range is good and, as Arteta told Mido, he is very safe with the ball at his feet and rarely gives it away.

However, Elneny will also have to look at his own career. At Arsenal, the Egyptian will not be a first-choice starter and there will be games when he might not even make the bench, especially if Arsenal get Partey and Ceballos, and keep hold of the likes of Maitland-Niles and Lucas Torreira.

It will be interesting to see how this pans out. Elneny will likely be allowed to leave if he wants out but, if he asks Arteta and the club to keep him, he might well get a chance to fight for his place this term.