Mohamed Elneny knows that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta does not trust him to play regularly once the midfielder returns from the knee injury he suffered back in January.
That is according to Paul Brown, who claims that Elneny understands Arteta is unlikely to see a leading role for the 31-year-old. Arsenal reinforced the midfield at Emirates Stadium in the summer with deals for Kai Havertz and Declan Rice. Both have started in all possible fixtures.
Elneny has simply had to watch Havertz and Rice slot seamlessly into Arteta’s team from the sidelines at London Colney. The Egyptian has mainly improved his fitness away from the rest of Arsenal’s team since May. He needed surgery at the end of January which ended his term.
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Elneny knows Arteta will not trust him hugely for Arsenal
It was also the second time last season that Arsenal were without Elneny due to a long-term injury. Arteta had also been without the midfielder between September until November due to a thigh injury. Elneny only featured eight times for a total of 352 minutes during 2022/23.
Just five of his appearances also came during Premier League fixtures, of which he started in only one. Arteta let Elneny open the action at home to Fulham in August before he suffered a thigh injury. The midfielder returned for four brief cameos on either side of the World Cup.
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Elneny is unlikely to return from his injury before October
Now, Elneny is pushing to make his return from a knee injury but knows Arteta will not hand him many minutes in Arsenal’s matches once available. The Evening Standard has noted that the 90-cap Egypt international is now likely to re-join Arteta’s side in October at the earliest.
Elneny’s return will let Arteta, who has called the midfielder ‘special’, rotate Arsenal’s squad more often. The Gunners have a busy fixture list on the horizon with Champions League and Premier League games. Further Carabao Cup ties could follow if they beat Brentford, as well.