Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has signed a new contract at the club.
Elneny said of signing a contract extension: “I love this club and I feel like part of this family.
“I want to continue at this amazing club and amazing family and I’m very happy and very excited for the future.”
Mikel Arteta added: “Mo is a really important part of the team. He brings endless energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the team and is loved by everyone.
“He’s an important player for us on and off the pitch, a real role model to our youngers players and I’m delighted he’s statying.”
The 29-year-old joined Arsenal from FC Basel in 2016, and spent 2019-20 on loan at Besiktas.
He appeared to be a peripheral figure under both Arteta and his predecessor Unai Emery, but has emerged as an unlikely star of the side towards the tail-end of the season.
When three straight defeats left Arsenal’s top-four hopes in jeopardy in April, Arteta called Elneny into his starting XI for a daunting trip to Chelsea. It ended in victory and the midfielder went on to start the final seven games of the season as Arteta’s side narrowly missed out on a Champions League place to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
The Athletic understands he is seen as a popular member of Arteta’s squad, and his experience and character are valued highly internally.
Midfield is still an area where Arsenal intend to recruit, with Belgium international Youri Tielemans of Leicester City currently the top target for the No 8 role.
With Tielemans heading towards the final 12 months of his deal at the King Power Stadium, Arsenal’s key decision-makers are thought to be in favour of acquiring the former Monaco midfielder and dialogue with his representatives is said to have offered cause for encouragement.
