Arteta praises Elneny, discusses his future at Arsenal

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has praised Mohamed Elneny while discussing the Egyptian’s future at the club.

Elneny spent the entirety of last season with Turkish Super Lig side Besiktas, before returning to Arsenal this summer despite rumours linking him with a move away from London.

However, the Egyptian resumed his Arsenal career with a bang, scoring his side’s opener in their 4-1 friendly victory over MK Dons on Tuesday.

Reports suggested that the Egyptian could remain with the Gunners as the likes of Lucas Torreira and Mattéo Guendouzi nearing club exit as well as the uncertainty over Dani Ceballos’ future after his loan spell came to an end.

These rumours have been backed by Mikel Arteta, who praised Elneny’s character, however, he didn’t disclose his future at the club.

“I know Mo really well,” Arteta said in his press conference on Thursday.

“I played with him, so I know what he can be and I know his strengths and weaknesses really well.”

Elneny played alongside Arteta during the Spaniard’s last season as a player, before he retired and went on to join Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at Manchester City.

“He’s a really positive character to have around and he has some really good qualities as well and like anybody else,” Arteta continued on Elneny.

“In the moment that he is with us, he will be given all our support and the best possible environment for them to perform as high as they can.

“We don’t know [if he will stay]. The sixth of October is still too far, as I said. It’s pretty unpredictable to know what’s going to happen,” he added.

Since joining the Gunners in January 2016 from FC Basel, Elneny made 89 appearances for them, scoring twice while assisting eight, helping the club win an FA Cup title as well as the Community Shield in 2018.