Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hailed Mohamed Elneny as one of the most important players in his Gunners squad despite his lack of game time.
The north London giants earned a 4-2 victory over Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday. They went into the game on the back of a three-game losing streak, but bounced back with a big win at Stamford Bridge.
Goals from Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka and a brace from Eddie Nketiah gave Arsenal the win against the Blues. Also starring in the game for Mikel Arteta's side was Elneny, who dominated the middle of the pitch.
Elneny's performance against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge has earned him praise from Arteta himself. The Arsenal boss has labeled the Egypt international as phenomenal and went on to claim that he does not get the credit he deserves. He told a press conference [The Metro]:
"I have always said that for me he [Elneny] is one of the most important players in the squad. For what he does when you give him the chance to play and for the things that he does when he doesn’t play. He’s a phenomenal person and a great footballer that sometimes doesn’t get the credit he deserves."
Having impressed against Chelsea, Elneny will be hopeful of keeping his place in Arsenal's starting eleven to face Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday.
How has Mohamed Elneny fared for Arsenal this term?
Mohamed Elneny has amassed only 512 minutes of playing time for the Gunners this season. It is worth noting that Wednesday's game was just his second Premier League start of the campaign.
The 29-year-old's previous appearance for Mikel Arteta's side came on January 1. Considering that he is not a regular starter for the Gunners, he did exceptionally well against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
It now remains to be seen if Wednesday's performance will earn him a string of games for the team in the coming weeks. Elneny's long-term future, though, remains uncertain.
The central midfielder has his contract with the north London giants expiring at the end of the season. As things stand, Elneny will be putting an end to his six-and-a-half-year association with Arsenal in the summer.
Although unlikely, the Egyptian's display against Chelsea could lead to a change of fortunes for him at the Emirates Stadium.
foherda
0
is it ONLY now that Arteta finds Elneny is good? just watch this guy playing for Egypt, simply phenomenal in midfield
Strength1999
0
he is hard as rock as a CDM
Vapdikrsz
1
see ur mouth. important player can not sit on d bench d way u put him. you have refuse to believe on africans players. arteta out!
Denbeikrt
0
really I emotion it. why Elneny was bench?
voselmnosu
0
Elneny deserve to start the game even today
Javimor
0
You don’t even play him
Conimrtuy
1
Arteta how come Elneny was there and you started Lokonga in three matches we lost 😞 sometimes I feel like blaming you for many matches we lost 😡
Cotclmrst
0
Arteta is a hypocrite, how do you give credit to someone always on the bench. There's no credit on the bench
because he performed very well last and he deserved the praise
musty356
0
you are talking nonsense boss he always on the bench while you're claiming he deserves credit from where? seating on the bench
jasondrx77
0
he keeps saying thins like this and leaves them on the bench🤷🏾
Jupabcdeuy
0
Arteta is allways wrong you must follow hw the player performs nt following your hart we support Arsenal and you are nt arsenal
Dixonmande
0
he doesn't get the credit from I ofcourse
dekabinoz
0
Arteta is a hypocrite, how do you give credit to someone always on the bench. There's no credit on the bench
Zueceimnuz
2
We've never won a game with lokonga on the pitch, someone prove me wrong here
He's only a kid ya melt
Zueceimnuz
0
You don't even start him ya fooking clown
IbnMubarik
2
This Arteta paaaaaa. Who is not giving him the recognition he deserves? If you were giving him playing time, don't you think he would have gotten the recognition? Masa play the guy and he will get the recognition he deserves. Elneny is a very good baller and very workaholic
Titi14
0
u play him
Humancal44
3
We've never won a game with lokonga on the pitch, someone prove me wrong here
Norwich, Villa, Leicester, Southampton, Watford and Newcastle
ukiron
3
there should be Xaka, Partey, Elneny ... substituting each other... young squad is good but we need people who fight for the club... many players don't fill self as part of the family yet, they need time. Elneny is here for years....but lokonga picked before him.
Cundmoprtz
3
We've never won a game with lokonga on the pitch, someone prove me wrong here
Cundmoprtz
0
Arteta is just Not Serious, how could u bench Elneny and play the lazy busy body Lokonga.
Leyacdpsuz
0
Golden25
1
I wonder why he is benched my love for Eleny