Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s decision to recall Mohamed Elneny to the starting eleven at the start of the campaign has surprised many supporters.
The Egyptian international spent last season out on loan at Besiktas and many had expected him to be sold this summer without playing another game for the London club.
However, Arteta was seemingly impressed by Elneny during preseason, and he subsequently selected him to start in the Community Shield against Liverpool and in the win versus Fulham last weekend. The 28-year-old repaid the faith of his manager by performing well in both games. Fans on Twitter are now debating whether the Gunners should keep hold of the player:
the Egyptian Pirlo
— Lord Executioner ? (@the_mukama) September 15, 2020
Hopefully his stock has raised to be sold ??♂️
— DeepInTheCoug (@in_coug) September 15, 2020
Our boss
— Wiz Ezra (@WizEzra1) September 15, 2020
Mohamed Elpartey!
— Mark (@Mark77284750) September 15, 2020
He has been good but doesn’t mean i would start him week in week out
A good squad player
Go for rotation squad &play him…in europa league ..Fa cup
But hope that doesn’t stop the development of ESR ..and willocksince Mo is here…would prefer if arsenal send willock on loan
— Karanveer Singh (@Its_Veer_) September 15, 2020
I liked him when he first came because he showed fight and enthusiasm but in a poor side towards AW reign he didn’t develop. The loan to Besiktas has helped and MA rates hom having played with him. Might get the best out of him.
— Uday Desai (@UdayDes91175947) September 15, 2020
We should still sell him and get Aouar and Partey.
— zafar (@zaf__ar) September 15, 2020
He’s done well for 2 whole games. Let’s judge at the end of the season if he’s still here ?
— Chris Topher (@topbottom23) September 15, 2020
Great squad player, the type we don’t have in our young guns.
— Scorched Earth Democrat (@EarthDemocrat) September 15, 2020
His been honestly fantastic ??
— Johnny_Quid (@Sheshi_Ntwana) September 15, 2020
I still think he has to move
Elneny, Torreira, Guendouzi
Sokratis , Chambers, Kolasinac— HA (@HA50726793) September 16, 2020
It does feel like Arteta is using Elneny as a stop-gap to some extent with both Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi effectively on the transfer list. It could be the case that the Egyptian will be utilised until they can find a replacement like Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Partey.