Arsenal keen to keep hold of 28-year-old midfield star – The right choice by Arteta?

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Sourav Ghosh

Why Arsenal are doing the right thing by keeping Mohamed Elneny

According to Football.london, Arsenal are keen to keep a hold of Mohamed Elneny amidst interest from Besiktas. Elneny, who spent the last season on loan at the Turkish club, is said to be wanted on a permanent deal by the club. However, Arsenal don’t want to sell him as they try to salvage their campaign.

Elneny has been a surprise inclusion this season

While it might have been a huge surprise to see Elneny start for Arsenal, it is not without a reason. Mikel Arteta has very few viable options in midfield. Mesut Ozil hasn’t kicked a ball in ages. Matteo Guendouzi has been offloaded on loan. While Thomas Partey has arrived from Atletico Madrid, Lucas Torreira has gone the other way to join the La Liga side.

arsenal fc v dundalk fc group b uefa europa league 1
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 29: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Europa League Group B stage match between Arsenal FC and Dundalk FC at Emirates Stadium on October 29, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

This leaves the club with a handful of names in central midfield such as Dani Ceballos, Granit Xhaka, Joe Willock, Emile Smith Rowe and Elneny himself, along with new signing Partey.

Now that’s quite a small contingent of midfielders for a club competing in so many competitions this season. Elneny is the only backup defensive midfielder that Arteta has at his disposal after Partey.

Elneny deserves to stay at Arsenal

The 28-year-old Egyptian has featured in 19 of Arsenal’s games this season, which shows Mikel Arteta is open to the idea of keeping him in the squad and also provide him with a decent amount of game time.

In a season where games have come thick and fast, it was vital for Arsenal to have a player like Elneny, who slogged out quite some games in the absence of Xhaka, Ceballos and Partey.

fulham v arsenal premier league
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal shakes hands with Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal after the Premier League match between Fulham and Arsenal at Craven Cottage on September 12, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Childs – Pool/Getty Images)

Elneny has gone out there and grabbed his chances. He has formed a good partnership with Partey in midfield and he presses the opposition to suffocate them of space and passing options. His full powers were on display in the game against Manchester United where he kept chasing every ball and pressed with vigour.

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Elneny has had a long journey at Arsenal from being a sporadic player to being sent out on loan to finally starting games on a regular basis. In a season of inconsistencies for Arsenal, Elneny has perhaps been the one bit of constant for Mikel Arteta.

If Arsenal are to turn their season around, they will need all the help they can get and there should be no doubt about Elneny giving it all for the side.