Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny will be out for a “considerable spell” after picking up an injury in the 2-1 win against Fulham, reports The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
Mohamed Elneny Expected to Miss ‘Considerable Spell’ for Arsenal
🚨 Mohamed Elneny suffered significant injury vs Fulham. Arsenal awaiting full extent but 30yo expected to miss considerable spell. Partey also nursing (relatively minor) muscle issue so #AFC may look to recruit in midfield. With @gunnerblog @TheAthleticUK https://t.co/8b567oDygj
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 30, 2022
Light in Midfield
The 30-year-old picked up the injury during Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Fulham, where he played 90 minutes in the absence of Thomas Partey, who was also sidelined with a minor issue.
The Egyptian international recently signed a new deal to keep him at the club as a reliable backup midfielder, but Elneny now looks set to miss a large chunk of the season.
Ahead of the closure of the transfer window, Elneny’s injury may change Arsenal’s strategy as a new midfielder may be prioritised. A defensive midfielder was already on the radar given Partey’s poor fitness record, and without Elneny as his understudy, the club may look to recruit in this area.
With Mikel Arteta and Edu Gaspar previously prioritising a winger, as well as being heavily linked with a more attack-minded midfielder in Youri Tielemans of Leicester City, these plans may be shelved in favour of signing a number six style player who can replace Partey and Elneny’s more defensive presence at the base of the Arsenal midfield.
Fair play to Mohamed Elneny. Injury thought to be ‘significant’ and I assume he probably knew that and played through it after it happened against Fulham. Completed 90mins to help the team. You would struggle to find a more committed player than him. Hats off. pic.twitter.com/qTJ8TM805X
— Freddie Paxton (@Freddie_Paxton) August 30, 2022
Should Arsenal not sign a midfielder to replace Elneny before the window shuts, their only option beyond Partey would be 22-year-old Albert Sambi Lokonga, or potentially even playing defender Ben White further up the pitch.
With the club originally targeting a winger, with Pedro Neto and Yeremy Pino linked, there may not be enough time or resources to sign all of their targets, and a midfielder may have to replace the potential arrival of another attacker.
An alternative option would be to keep Ainsley Maitland-Niles as extra cover in midfield, who was previously set to depart the club with several sides interested, but the 25-year-old may not be keen on a backup role with first-team places available elsewhere.
