Elneny celebrating his goal against Oxford United
Mohamed Elneny is Arsenal’s longest serving player, having joined the club from FC Basel in January 2016. Elneny has just amassed 155 appearances in his six-and-a-half seasons with the club, winning one FA Cup, two Community Shields as well as being a losing finalist in the 2018 Carabao Cup and 2019 Europa League. In his time with Arsenal, Elneny has never really commanded a first team berth, and as always served as a loyal backup in central midfield, coming to see out games.
However, in recent campaigns, Elneny got an extended run out in the team (41 appearances in 2020/21 season) thanks to Thomas Partey suffering a litany of injuries in his fledgling Arsenal career, which has kept Arsenal fans on the edge in regard to his fitness issues. Despite being a complete model citizen and epitome of consistency in the club, Elneny has had some bad luck this season, suffering a thigh injury in preseason, that saw him miss the early part of the campaign and some important Europa League group stage matches that he would usually feature in. Things went from bad to worse for Elneny when the club confirmed that he had to go under the knife to mitigate a niggling issue on his knee, that would keep him out for a very long time, and clearly beyond this summer when his contract was meant to expire.
With Elneny’s injury challenges, Partey also having an injury scare that has seen him miss matches recently and Albert Sambi Lokonga’s underwhelming form, Arsenal had to make signing a central midfielder a priority, and everyone could attest to the drama surrounding the pursuit of Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, before the Gunners wrapped things up for Chelsea’s Jorginho right at the death.
It has been reported that Arsenal has awarded Mo Elneny a contract extension by an additional year, which will allow the midfield recuperate and rehabilitate from his knee injury using the club’s medical facilities, as well as put up some appearances on the pitch before his final hurrah in the summer of 2024. This is a great gesture from the club, proving that they are willing to stand by their players through difficult times, and it augurs well for Mikel Arteta, who believes that Elneny has a role to play in this exciting project currently brewing at Arsenal.
It is also believed that Elneny reportedly took a pay cut on this extension, which shows how much he wants to be here,
“I’m so happy, I love this club and our supporters so much and I’ll give everything to help us be the best we can be, every day I’m here.”
On being our longest-serving player, Mo added: “It makes me so proud to have represented this amazing club since 2016. The spirit and togetherness we have in our squad right now is so positive and I’m so happy I have extended my contract.”
Elneny has been one of those players that exudes everything we expect from the club, and his extension will not change Arsenal’s long term plans for signing a marquee central midfielder this summer, with West Ham’s Declan Rice heavily linked.
Elneny’s contract extension shows the togetherness within the club, and the players will be happy to have their oldest serving lad around for a little while.
Sayonara.
Follow Gooner Daily on Twitter @goonerdaily.
Visit Gooner Daily’s Facebook page.
Click on the “Follow button” to join Gooner Daily’s Mailing List
