Rarely-seen £50k-a-week Arsenal man has ‘golden opportunity’ under Arteta, says compatriot

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Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has a “golden opportunity” under Mikel Arteta, according to Mido, who says he spoke to the Gunners boss about his compatriot two years ago.

The 28-year-old Egypt international has made 90 appearances for Arsenal since joining from Swiss outfit FC Basel in 2016 for a reported £7million (The Independent).

Last season, on Unai Emery’s watch, Elneny left Arsenal for a season-long loan at Besiktas, becoming a mainstay of their squad and making 36 appearances in all competitions.

Of those, 27 came in the Superlig, Elneny scoring one goal and registering four assists as the Black Eagles finished third in the table to seal Champions League qualification.

Now back at Arsenal, the £50k-a-week ace started in the pre-season friendly against MK Dons, going on to score, and also started – and impressed in – the Community Shield final.

“I have met Arteta in Wales two years ago and I have asked him about Mohamed Elneny,” Mido said on a video posted on his Youtube channel, as transcribed by KingFut.

“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.”

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Elneny largely played a bit-part role under both Arsene Wenger and Emery before leaving for Besiktas.

With William Saliba taking his shirt number at the start of the season, there were doubts over his future at the Emirates Stadium.

However, Elneny has done his chances of staying at Arsenal no harm with his pre-season displays and, with Mido claiming Arteta is a big fan, it remains to be seen what the future holds for him.

After all, it’s worth remembering that Arsenal legend Gilberto Silva told France Football in April he thought Elneny was the closest thing the Gunners currently have to him or Patrick Vieira.