Mikel Arteta reveals Arsenal player has ‘done something’ after injury scare v PSV

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal welcomed back Mohamed Elneny for his first start since a long injury layoff, but he could be set for further frustration.

The midfielder missed most of last season after picking up a knee injury, but was handed a new contract at the club and returned to action during the summer.

The Egypt star made his first start since January as Arsenal drew 1-1 with PSV Eindhoven, but was withdrawn for Martin Odegaard after going down injured in the 62nd minute.

There was concern amongst the Arsenal staff and fans that they could be about to lose Elneny again, and it has now emerged that he has picked up a hamstring problem.

Mikel Arteta gives Mohamed Elneny injury update

Speaking after the game in Eindhoven, Mikel Arteta was asked whether Elneny’s problem was related to his hamstring, and he revealed the bad news.

“Yeah we don’t know the extent of it but he’s done something,” he stated of Elneny.

The 31-year-old has been on the bench in recent weeks following injuries to Thomas Partey, Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith Rowe, and losing another midfielder may be worrisome for Arteta.

However, he was able to welcome Smith Rowe back towards the closing stages of the PSV draw, as he returned after a month-long layoff.

Mohamed Elneny’s Arsenal future

Although he does not play much, Elneny is an important character in Arsenal’s dressing room. He is the longest-serving player at the club, having joined in January 2016, and is the only member of the squad to have played for Arsenal at the same time as Arteta himself.

Elneny is out of contract at the end of the season, and it now seems unlikely that Arsenal will aim to renew it. Although he is popular amongst his teammates, as well as the fans, his poor injury record means that he can no longer be considered a reliable backup.

This latest blow will be a sore one for Elneny, as he recovered from a long-term injury to return, and he was solid on the ball in yesterday’s draw.

Arsenal will reportedly listen to offers for Elneny in January, as they aim to add a new midfielder to the club, and seven years after he joined, his spell at the Emirates looks set to come to an end soon.

If his hamstring problem is not a serious one, both he and the club will hope that he can either return to action as a squad member or move on in January. If he is absent for a while again, it seems unlikely that a deal will materialise in the winter window.