Mikel Arteta thinks Mohamed Elneny is now being respected, Ian Wright applauds him

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has told Football.London that he thinks Mohamed Elneny was ‘tremendous’ against Manchester United today.

The Gunners made the trip to Manchester seeking a better result than their last trip, having lost 1-0 to Manchester City in their last trip to the North West.

Arsenal were the better side throughout, and claimed a deserved opener in the second half when Paul Pogba tripped Hector Bellerin inside the penalty area.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang stepped up to score from the penalty spot, and Arsenal held firm to take all three points back to North London.

A number of players starred for Arsenal today, including new signing Thomas Partey, but his midfield partner was exceptional too.

Mohamed Elneny may have become a forgotten man under Unai Emery, spending last season on loan at Besiktas, but he has become Arteta’s man for the big occasion.

The Egyptian has played in a number of big games since returning to Arsenal, and provided real energy and pressing ability in today’s win.

Now, Arteta has suggested that Elneny creates ‘an atmosphere’ with his energy and positivity, and was ‘tremendous’ against United.

Arteta added that Elneny is admired at Arsenal, and is now being respected as a footballer having previously been cast aside by Emery, whilst ex-Gunners star Ian Wright took to Twitter to applaud Elneny’s outstanding display.

“Absolutely. What Mo transmits to the team especially,” said Arteta. “He has this energy as a person, he creates that atmosphere. I thought we needed that energy and positive feeling today. I thought he was tremendous.”

“With Mo we know his qualities as a person and what he brings to the squad. I like players that have zero ego that play for the team and want to contribute whether it’s one minute or 96 minutes, or just by being there and contributing to our culture. Mo is a person who is admired amongst everyone at the football club and I think now is respected as a footballer, something that I always believed he had to be,” he added.