It's finally official - http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20160114/mohamed-elneny-joins-arsenal Woo! We have a new player - Welcome Mohamed
Although it is great news that we have signed a player more dynamic and mobile than Flamini and Arteta, I think we need to lower our expectations somewhat. We shouldn't expect a player that has joined a new country and new league to slot seamlessly into our midfield instantly. It's why I am slightly apprehensive about starting him against Stoke away. It's probably the worst place you'd want to have your debut. But we don't have much option, so it could be forced. I don't want to harp on about it, but I really wish this transfer was done five months ago.
Unfortunately for him, he HAS to hit the ground running. This league is going to the wire whether we like it or not and we can't afford to carry passengers in the hope they come good. If he's good enough, he'll be playing regularly, if not, Flamini will be the main man until Coqs comes in. It's really all in his hands and he won't get a better chance than this.
Yep this really. We need that position to be strengthened now. It will be a case of being in at the deep end for Elneny, but I'm sure Wenger feels that he can handle it, otherwise he wouldn't have bought him.
I don't doubt that Wenger thinks he's good enough but he's really going to be up against it. Not only is he going up a couple of levels, but he'll be joining mid way, challenging for the title and faced with stiff competition. On the flip side there is a vacant spot that he can challenge for and if he performs well he will be making us a whole lot stronger and help maintain our challenge. This signing has the potential of really strengthening us if it works out.
Personally I think it's sensible not to expect him to be at his best straightaway, it might take him awhile to acclimatise. I mean Campbell wasn't great when he 1st came back to us but improved slowly until now he's an important player. I mean it even took a world class player like ozil awhile to get used to the league.
I reckon he'll probably be on the bench for the Stoke game. For me it's too risky just throwing him in there on day 1 of his Arsenal career.
I agree lads but this is one strange season and it's becoming a bit of a war of attrition and we'll be needing all hands on deck at the moment. In an ideal situation he would get more time to fit it but unfortunately he may not get that choice. Our weakest point in the team has been the absence of Coqs, in the DM area. So far we've been able to ride it, but this is one area we want to reduce risk in asap.
Was reading about him and he's an interesting case. Sounds like he was brought to Basel to, somewhat patronisingly, keep Salah company. He's apparently a very quiet and humble person and it ended up being Salah that kept him company and helped bring him out of his shell. Took him a few seasons to grow in confidence and win the crowd over. Salah was all occasional flashes of brilliance whereas Elneny was consistently good if not incredible. Fingers crossed that he keeps that belief in himself as he'd not be the first player to get overawed at moving up a level. He needs to realise this is a golden opportunity for him to grasp with the players we have out injured. If I were Wenger I'd hold up Campbell and Coquelin as examples of people who stepped up. I'm holding a secret hope he becomes out new Gilberto!
We probably only need someone who will produce a solid, consistent performance in DM, than someone spectacular. If he can do that until Coqs is back to fitness, then we will be laughing. But agree with you on the golden op for Elneny, he will have a great chance to make first team football for us if he performs. Lets just hope he grabs it with both hands. As for being lonely, i'm sure a trip to Edgware Rd will do the trick!
Speaking to the club about the move, Elneny said: “It is an indescribable feeling, I am really glad of course. “Arsenal is one of the world’s greatest teams, and I am very keen to participate positively with my new team, God willing, and to give my best for the team and for myself. “Arsenal is one of those teams that everyone enjoys watching and of course I would love to play for such a great team."
