Mohamed Elneny signs a one-year contract extension with Arsenal

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has signed a short-term contract extension with the North London club after excelling towards the end of the 2021-2022 campaign.

The Egyptian international’s current contract at the Emirates was due to expire at the end of June but he has now signed a new one-year deal with the option to extend. 

Elneny has been one of Mikel Arteta’s most consistent performers during Arsenal’s final run of games – having provided five goals and 10 assists this season. 

Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has signed a short-term contract extension with the club

Speaking about his new deal with the Gunners, Elneny told Arsenal Media: ‘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.’

Elneny previously stated his desire to see out his career at Arsenal, telling reporters: ‘I feel like when you play in one of the biggest teams in the world and you have an amazing family and the fans are really amazing as well – they make me feel special. 

‘You feel like you are special for this club and this club is special for you. Of course, I want to stay here until I finish my career actually.’

Mikel Arteta is equally as excited about Elneny’s decision to extend his stay at the Emirates. He said: ‘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 younger players and I’m delighted he’s staying.’

While Arsenal’s technical Director Edu added: ‘Mo has an incredible mentality which is so important for our squad. 

‘He helps the team as much as he can every day. We are all very happy to have him with us as we look to build on what has been achieved this season.’

Elneny joined Arsenal six and a half years ago from Swiss side Basel. Since then he has made 147 appearances and spent time out on loan to Turkish side Besiktas during the 2019-2020 campaign. 

He has been one of Mikel Arteta’s most consistent performers during their final run of games

Elneny had made just one Premier League start all season until Arsneal’s win over Chelsea

Elneny struggled to cement his place in the starting XI under Arteta this season. However, the Spanish manager turned to him when Thomas Partey went off with a thigh injury in their 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace. 

Arteta initially called on Albert Sambi Lakonga but his performances in Arsenal’s 2-1 defeat to Burnley, and 1-0 loss away at Southampton, were unconvincing. 

This led to Arteta calling on Elneny for the first time in over three months in the tricky looking clash at Stamford Bridge, and the midfielder rewarded his manager’s choice with a brilliant display.

He was at the centre of everything as he never stopped running and put Thomas Tuchel’s players under pressure from start to finish in a 4-2 victory to start Arsenal’s revival.

As a result, he kept his place in the squad and went on to make seven consecutive starts in the centre of midfield. He was also voted man-of-the-match in Sunday’s win over Everton. 

However, since that game at Stamford Bridge, he has been a pivotal player in Arteta’s squad 

Elneny said Arteta’s vote of confidence at the end of the season convinced him to sign new terms with the North London club. He said: ‘I needed to hear what he’s thinking about me and I always say to him, ‘Mikel, I really appreciate what you’ve done for me.’

‘Because with Mikel I play more than I was before. I said to him, ‘Mikel, if you say to me that you want me to stay or you want me to leave, I’m going to do whatever you want.’ Then the way he spoke about me is something that really makes me emotional.

‘It was really good for me to hear it from Mikel, about the way I play and the way I’m happy with him and being positive. It’s incredible for me to feel this way from Mikel, from the club and from Edu. I’m really happy.’