Arsenal star Mohamed Elneny has now opened up on the ‘amazing’ feeling of finally returning having been sidelined since January after needing surgery on a knee injury.
The 31-year-old got his first appearance since January 9 as Arsenal beat Brentford 1-0 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Elneny had not featured for Mikel Arteta’s side since he scored as they beat Oxford United in the FA Cup. The Egyptian sustained his major injury in training.
Arsenal sent Elneny for multiple scans following the blow at London Colney that revealed he suffered significant damage. It was also gutting for the midfielder having already missed two months with a thigh issue. The problem had sidelined Elneny from September to November.
Arsenal star Elneny opens up on his ‘amazing’ return from injury
Elneny initially resumed training at London Colney following his knee injury in May. But only in September would he return to full team sessions under Arteta. So, to finally return with a late cameo as Arsenal beat Brentford in the Carabao Cup this Wednesday meant a lot to Elneny.
“I was missing this moment because it’s been a long time injured,” he told football.london. “It feels amazing to be back with the team and get the win, as well, and move to the next round. It feels amazing for me.”
Elneny can help Arteta manage his fitness crisis in north London
All in all, Elneny only managed to feature eight times for 352 minutes last season due to his injury problems. But Arsenal chose to keep the 90-cap international for a further year as his contract was set to expire this June. He is the club’s long-serving player after joining in 2016.
Now, Arteta’s decision to sanction a new deal could pay dividends, starting on Saturday. The Arsenal boss is juggling an injury crisis with Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli nursing issues. Elneny can help to ease Rice’s possible absence away to AFC Bournemouth.
Arteta clearly appreciates what Elneny offers Arsenal’s squad and that presence returned to the field at Brentford. He got the last eight minutes of regular time as the Gunners dug in to see out a 1-0 result. Arteta turned to Elneny as the Bees upped their search for an equaliser.
Elneny can now help Arteta manage Arsenal’s future fixtures, too, following his long-awaited return from injury. The coach will surely also be opposed to taking any risks with Rice’s back injury against Bournemouth or RC Lens with Arsenal hosting Manchester City on October 8.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
