Elneny’s departure would leave a hole in Arteta’s squad, more for his influence off the pitch than on it. Arteta recently said about the midfielder: “I always said he’s our glue player, he’s the one that brings everybody together, sticks everybody together, he’s a really important player for me in the squad and I am delighted to have him.”
Elneny would have to give a green light to a move in January and could stay at Arsenal until the summer if he so wished as his contract doesn’t expire until June 30. He previously claimed he would love to finish his career with the Gunners.
“Arsenal football club, they know I love them 100 per cent, so much,” he said. “They know I don’t want to leave. I want to stay and finish my career there, 100 per cent.”
Elneny may have no choice but to leave at some point if Arsenal don’t decide to offer him a new deal this year. His exit would mark the end of an era left behind by Wenger.
