Arsenal are closing in on their first signing of the transfer window in the form of Mohamed Elneny who is set to complete his move to the North London club in the coming days, according to his club Basel.
The Egyptian has been continuously linked with the Gunners over the past few weeks and reports even suggested that the midfielder has already completed his medical last week with work permit being the only hindrance.
His current club Basel have today confirmed that the youngster has missed the club’s training session onMonday, while also revealing that a transfer could be completed in the coming days. A statement on Basel’s official website read:
Also absent was Mohamed Elneny, in which there could be a transfer in the coming days
Arsene Wenger was also questioned on the imminent Elneny during his press conference after the Newcastle United and the Frenchman replied in the most Wengeristic fashion. According to the Standard, he said:
I have nothing to say because he is not our player.
We have not signed anybody and we are not imminently in a position where we can say we have signed somebody. We are out there to get someone but we haven’t signed anybody.
It more or less seems a done deal with the confirmation from Basel, but is Elneny the player we need?. He is basically a defensive midfielder who can ply his trade anywhere up front. However it’s not the attacking side that impresses us the most, but it’s defense.
He jas the strength, which is what is missing from Arsenal’s midfield without Francis Coquelin. Flamini and Ramsey have been unable to muster any sort of defensive barrier when it comes to stopping opposing attacks and it simply comes down to size. Elneny is bigger than Coquelin and hat size is going to be a massive boost.
He will provide added aerial presence on set pieces as well. In fact, his aerial duels won have increased every single year since he’s been at Basel. But that is not the only thing that has improved every year. His tackles and interceptions have improved every year to where they are right now.
Elneny is going to serve a purpose at Arsenal and it is a purpose they have needed for a painfully long time. As an added bonus, he does have a fierce shot from distance. There is always that to look forward to. He will definitely bridge the gap between now and Coquelin’s recovery and can also provide immense competition the Frenchman when he returns.
What do you say Guys?
