‘Really good’: Mikel Arteta hints £7m player could now be ready to start for Arsenal again

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hinted to the club’s official website that Mohamed Elneny could now be ready to start again.

The Gunners are set to face FC Zurich at the Emirates tonight and need to pick up a win to ensure they top their Europa League group.

Arteta has been without Elneny ever since he played 90 minutes in the 2-1 win over Fulham back in August.

The £7 million man had been struggling with a thigh injury but is now seemingly ready to return to action for the Gunners.

Arteta hints Elneny could be ready to start

Ahead of tonight’s clash, Arteta provided an update on Elneny, Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

“They are at different stages obviously,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website. 

“Mo [Mohamed Elneny] had a long-term injury but he has recovered now in a really good way and has been training with the team for a week or two now.

“Alex [Zinchenko] is just very recent and he’s had two training sessions. Bukayo just missed one or two sessions and was fine today.”

The Egyptian midfielder has proven to be an important squad player for Arteta over the past couple of years. Elneny put in some decent displays in the absence of Thomas Partey last season. 

Arteta will be delighted to see the midfielder returning to full fitness as he’s been lacking options in central midfield. 

The Spaniard has been forced to use either Granit Xhaka or Partey in the Europa League, alongside Sambi Lokonga.

With Elneny seemingly close to a return, Arteta will be able to rotate his squad effectively once again.

Elneny will be hoping to return to action tonight in the Europa League with Arteta expected to make big changes ahead of Sunday’s clash with Chelsea.