Arsenal are set to begin talks with midfielder Mohamed Elneny over a new contract as per a report from Football London and fans are not too happy with this update.
The Egyptian has been a decent backup without ever really threatening to establish himself in the first team. With the arrival of Albert Lokonga and the emergence of Miguel Azeez, his future at the Emirates seemed to be up in the air but that does not seem to be the case now.
According to the report, the Gunners had initially opened talks with the player in April but there has been no development since. The Emirates club will renew those discussions and they are doing this to protect his value as the midfielder has only one year left on his contract.
This news did not go down well with the Arsenal fans who would rather see the 29-year-old sold this summer. They were quick to express their feelings on Twitter and here are some of the best reactions:
Please sell him, Arsenal.
— Gurjit (@GurjitAFC) August 20, 2021
No ambitious club would renew this deal
— Ojiwa Mike (@mikeojiwa) August 20, 2021
Just sell is contract runs out next year what’s up with this club letting players run down there contract
— Chad M (@koolboy1993) August 20, 2021
This club is a joke. Edu and Arteta… Seems like a finished club
— George_Gunner1886 (@SAliMousaviI) August 20, 2021
We’re still finished then
— Etienne 🔴⚪️ (@etienne_smith23) August 20, 2021
So instead of moving to besiktas we let him run out his contract 😂😂😂
— Adham El Eraky 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@callmeeraky) August 20, 2021
Arsenal Fever View
It is a good move on the part of the north Londoners to try and extend the player’s contract. While it is clear that Elneny will not be the first name on the team sheet in midfield, he does have an important role to play as a credible backup.
Though not a flashy midfielder, the Egypt international has qualities that appeal to manager Mikel Arteta. The former Basel man has incredible energy and the ability to keep the ball moving along.
Should Granit Xhaka or Thomas Partey need a rest, Elneny is the one who will be asked to step up. Also, a failure to extend his contract would have resulted in the 29-year-old leaving for free at the end of the season. This would not have been ideal.
It is important for a squad to have depth in all positions and that could have been another factor in the club opening talks with the midfielder again. A new deal would allow them to get a fee for the player when he is sold in the future.
Arsenal have been focusing more on incomings so far and it is good to see them take a look at the players already part of the team. Someone like Elneny could have an important role to play as the season goes on.
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