Mohammed Elneny may not be the player on every Arsenal fan’s mind week in week out, with the midfielder largely more of a backup man than first team member. However that doesn’t stop the player himself from dreaming big and according to his latest statement, he is going for a legendary status at Arsenal.
Elneny is very much a player who does his job well without acclaiming too much credit for his performances. Considered a steal by Arsene Wenger in the current transfer climate, a reported £5 million for Elneny last January has turned out to be a very welcomed investment. Admittedly, Elneny may not be the player who is going to make all the difference to your team and at the end of the day, the midfielder is yet to show the capabilities of making a major impact in a game. However many fans will agree that he is a reliable member of the squad who seems to be happy to get on with his job when called upon.
Such a role unfortunately means he’s a bit more of a reservist than starting eleven quality, especially when comparing if he’d get into the teams at some of Europe’s biggest clubs. However Elneny is aiming for much higher at Arsenal and has revealed that he fully intends on achieving legendary status with the club.
Elneny told the media: “I want to be a legend at this club, like Thierry Henry. I mean, obviously not exactly like him. I have my own personality, my own character. I want to be different to anyone that’s gone before. But since I got here, I’ve always had that in mind. I wanted to become an Arsenal legend.”
Comparing himself to Thierry Henry’s status may be a big claim, but I get his point on what he wants to achieve with Arsenal. Much like other players at the club, such as Laurent Koscielny and Hector Bellerin, they feel they owe something to Arsenal for giving them a big break in major European football. As a result they have a loyalty to the Gunners that would take a lot of breaking and they only have eyes for success at Arsenal. The likes of Koscielny and Bellerin have also stated in the past that they only wish to win big with Arsenal and although of course they aren’t going to come out and say any different, I really do believe them, and Elneny, when they state that want to win with Arsenal and become legends at the club.
Personally, I’m still yet to become a big fan of Elneny. The player was a fantastic purchase for Wenger, especially at a reported £5 million. However I just keep thinking back as to whether someone of Elneny’s quality and capability ever has a chance of becoming a regular at Arsenal, especially in such a competitive midfield. At the moment I can’t see that happening, but of course at 24 years old, he still has plenty of time to stake his claim.
Elneny has completed a full 90 minutes just once this season and has been used sparingly by Arsene Wenger since the Egyptians move from FC Basel. Elneny is currently away from Arsenal on international duty at AFCON with Egypt, but the Gunners could really do with his presence at the club at the moment, given the absences of Xhaka, Cazorla and Wilshere in midfield.
By AH