Arsenal fans have reacted angrily online to the news that Mohamed Elneny has signed a new one-year contract extension at the club.
The 29-year-old's deal was set to expire this summer. However, the Gunners have decided to keep the midfielder at the Emirates Stadium, with the 12-month deal coming with the option of a further year.
Elneny has made 147 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2016 from Basel. He made 17 club appearances this term in all competitions. He played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal's final seven Premier League games due to an injury to first-choice central midfielder Thomas Partey.
The north London club won five of those seven encounters. However, that wasn't enough to claim a Champions League spot as rivals Tottenham pipped Mikel Arteta's side to fourth place.
The Egypt international has clearly impressed enough in the past couple of months to be kept in Mikel Arteta's plans.
The Gunners fans do not seem too impressed by the news though. They took to Twitter to explain why they are unhappy at keeping the defensive-midfielder. Many believe that he is simply not good enough for a Champions League chasing side. Here are some of their reactions:
Mikel Arteta and Edu explain decision to keep Mohamed Elneny at Arsenal
Elneny is one of the Gunners' longest serving players and as a useful backup option. In him, Arteta has clearly decided to keep some experience around a relatively youthful squad.
As per Arsenal's official website, the Spanish boss said following the announcement of Elneny's re-signing:
“Mo is a really important part of the team. He brings endless energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the team and is loved by everyone. He's an important player for us on and off the pitch, a real role model to our younger players and I'm delighted he's staying."
Gunners technical director Edu added:
“Mo has an incredible mentality which is so important for our squad. He helps the team as much as he can every day. We are all very happy to have him with us as we look to build on what has been achieved this season."
Elneny was part of the Arsenal squad that won the 2017 FA Cup. He also helped his team reach the 2019 Europa League final where they ultimately lost to Chelsea in Baku.
The midfielder was shipped out on-loan to Turkish side Besiktas during the 2019-20 season. He played more games in a single season for them (36) than he has during any of his campaigns at the Emirates Stadium.
Australia9135487
1
He has been the one player that comes on and gives 100 prc and he has a great attitude.
kisilah
2
Elneny has never disappointed whenever given an opportunity and he never complains when not playing regularly. he is a silent leader and very important but nketiah should have been released.
cemabpruyz
0
He’s not going to play much. He’s an insurance guy. Good teammate, willing to sit and be ready when needed.
JamesMikeDaniel
0
Elneny yes but Nketiah no pliz
saucyfresh
0
Some fans are just shits maybe they watch soccer while sitting on there scrotum
Cotclmrst
0
Arsenal will sign another midfielders
DapoBollace
1
Everyone saying Eleny signing is not a good deal is a pure hatter 🤬
Semcprsu
1
why fans are saying this because arsenal transfer partner is very bad they can even stop adding another midfielders and while we need midfielders that can move with ball
Kahbdknpyz
1
The Headline reads different things while the story details says another thing 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 All Football needs to learn how to speak well without causing confusion
MUTINDO
3
It seems Arsenal's haters are creating their false stories to stay relevant... Who didn't notice the role of Mo Elneny in the absence of Partey... Fake fans get other things to cheer about spare Arsenal... ❤️🔥🔥🔥 Gunners For Life....
DSellu
3
All the fans that are critizing Mo's contract extension are clueless!!! Had it not been for Mo's presence in the middle of that park, with the like of Lokonga, we would have been languishing around six to seven place this season!!! I would have even preferred a two or three years extension for such an outstanding performance Mo always put out whenever he is called upon, regardless of his less playing time on the pitch!!! Congratulations once again Elnany...
Waudiopy
0
may people here don't know a good player mo is the best midfielder at the moment
bipepsy
0
guys pls Elneny is a experience middlefielder arsenal front 4 theiy are weak not good for ucl except saka if you look arsenal squad only cedrick, xakha, Elneny , Lacazette, Partney those are experienced players for ucl
Mt Wali
1
If not for El neny we could have lost so many matches playing Lokonga at the middle
Vabamnprs
0
Frankie De Jong is on the loose and we are like blind.
Vabamnprs
0
Truly someone is Lazy in doing their recruitment job! First they snub Yves Bissouma for Sambi Lokonga. Now they snub Bruno Gumaraes for an extension on Mo Elneny. We are not going anywhere!!!!
teyiknpuy
0
If you don't know football shut your mouth.
Miockmnt
2
i will be angry if lacaZ, pepe and xhaka stays.
Dutadeilno
2
players like elneny are extremely vital to any squad...most especially an inexperienced one, arsenal fans are absolute clowns for not appreciating him, ask any arsenal player or coaching staff and they'll tell you all about his relevance
Ddjplm
2
This Arsenal fans are very funny 😆
Mubarakrahim
6
Hypothetically fans who don’t appreciate what he or how good he was wen he came n cover us for the remainder of the season.we r happy for u ❤️❤️❤️
Noebeiuyz
1
You guys should buy us the most notable star players we are desperate for 💯🤔😳🙄👌