Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny has often been a benchwarmer during his matches with Arsenal, and this season has been no different, with Elneny continuing to be "king of the bench." However, everything changed three days ago when he transformed into a "great" player. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described Elneny as a "great player" after his impressive performance against Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday.
Arteta stated: "Elneny is an exceptional person, a great player who does not get the recognition he deserves." These words from Arteta, one of the best coaches in the Premier League, contrast sharply with the significant criticism Elneny faced while representing the Egyptian national team in the recent Africa Cup of Nations.
Elneny was subjected to a considerable backlash from Egyptian fans due to his inconsistent performances with the "Pharaohs," especially given the high expectations for him as a Premier League player. However, what transpired over five days might compensate Elneny for the disappointment with the national team and potentially give him the recognition he deserves for his dedication and commitment to performing well for one of England's biggest clubs.
### A Shift in Momentum in 3 Days
Since joining Arsenal in 2016, Elneny has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, yet he consistently worked hard whenever he was called upon, maintaining a professional attitude despite limited playing time, which Arteta acknowledged. The Spanish manager remarked, "Elneny is one of the most important players in Arsenal's squad because of what he brings when given the chance to play and how he contributes when he doesn't play."
Arteta revealed that he convinced Elneny to stay at Arsenal during the last winter transfer window, as he wanted to rely on him in the upcoming phase. While Arteta has not featured Elneny frequently throughout the season, he suddenly became a key player, participating in two of Arsenal's most important matches of the season as they compete for a spot in the Champions League.
On Wednesday, Elneny delivered an exceptional performance against Chelsea in a match that saw the "Gunners" triumph 4-2. He then dominated the midfield against Manchester United on Saturday, contributing to a 3-1 victory.
Three days were enough to turn the tide for the "patient" player Mohamed Elneny, who delivered a performance deemed "great" by Arteta and received substantial praise from Arsenal fans worldwide. Elneny may become an essential player for Arsenal in the upcoming crucial matches that could solidify his position at the club and lead to a contract renewal that expires next summer.
