Arsène Wenger has always stressed importance on stability and balance in line-ups which generally lack neither creativity nor talent. However, there have been questions asked about defensive solidity and efficiency in the final third in the recent past, and the emergence of Egyptian Mohamed Elneny has positively contributed towards the dispelling of some of those. But can he help bring back the Premier League trophy to Arsenal and how?
Praised by his team-mates and manager for his hunger to learn and respect for the club, Elneny has grabbed the fortunate chance he has got, owing to Arsenal’s seemingly never-ending list of players on the treatment table. With the likes of Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Mathieu Flamini all injured at some point since the Egyptian signed, he has lessened the pressure on Wenger’s shoulders.
Elneny recorded the highest number of successful passes (117) in the Premier League this season in the 4-0 victory against Watford, and it is easy to notice the quality of his partnership with Francis Coquelin in the middle of the park. The duo has been responsible for a large percentage of successful tackles and defence to midfield transitions.
But he offers more than that. His energy and industry improves the attacking and defensive balance in the team that Wenger so very much emphasises on, by moving forward and tracking back as and when required, thus ticking essential boxes for a box-to-box midfielder. A simple way to understand his influence (and where he could improve too) is to recognize off-the-ball movements and positional awareness of he and Coquelin.
Traditional Wenger strategies point to more attacking right-backs than left-backs – Lee Dixon ran up field more than Nigel Winterburn; Lauren was a midfielder transformed into a defender, while Sylvinho and Ashley Cole were naturally more defensive; Hector Bellerin contributes to more attacks than defensive-minded Nacho Monreal.
This could, however, reduce defensive balance, which prompts a central midfielder to stay back during most attacks – Emmanuel Petit and later Gilberto Silva took up these roles playing alongside Patrick Vieira, while Alex Song, Mathieu Flamini and Coquelin have been responsible for the same more recently. Vieira revelled in his function by moving around all over the pitch to control the game; Cesc Fabregas pulled the strings after him in the red-and-white, and Coquelin’s self-control allowed Santi Cazorla to adopt the deep-lying playmaker role in the last eighteen months.
Yet Elneny has not been as influential as Vieira, Fabregas or Cazorla. Yes, his position and Arsenal’s game demand that he sees plenty of the ball and have accuracy in passing – due credit to him for impressing in that regard. But lack of consistency and lapses in concentration have cost the Gunners valuable points this season, and Elneny’s inclusion has not addressed these.
Considering the dynamic transformation the league has undergone this season with the shift in importance from possession to counter-attacks and the link between the two, one could argue that the trend suits Arsenal (how well, or rather how badly they have used the opportunity is another issue), who have been illustrious exponents of these styles under Wenger.
This demands quick, efficient and intelligent central midfielders. Elneny has showcased his ability, maturity and resource with the ball but is not—not yet at least—the visionary who can be heralded as Arsenal’s next midfield dynamo. It is hard to imagine him keeping a fit Cazorla or Wilshere, or an in-form Ramsey out of the first team, although Wenger’s recent press conferences have suggested more attacking roles for Ramsey and Wilshere, let alone the starting eleven.
Also expected and imperative is the arrival of at least one midfielder in the summer transfer window, with Arteta, Rosicky and Flamini all not looking like they will sign contract extensions, possibly pushing the Egyptian into a squad player role subject to rotation. Time is on the 23-year-old’s side, though, and there is no reason why he cannot grow into a midfielder who can play a crucial role in future Arsenal teams.
Yes, a new arrival could halt Elneny’s development, but it will mean a healthy competition for places, and what could be that edge Arsenal need to lift the Premier League again.
