PIRAEUS, GREECE - FEBRUARY 25: Bernd Leno of Arsenal celebrates with Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal after the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal FC and SL Benfica at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 25, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece. Arsenal face SL Benfica at a neutral venue in Piraeus behind closed doors to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

PIRAEUS, GREECE - FEBRUARY 25: Bernd Leno of Arsenal celebrates with Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal after the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal FC and SL Benfica at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 25, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece. Arsenal face SL Benfica at a neutral venue in Piraeus behind closed doors to prevent the spread of Covid-19 variants. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

Arsenal News

Arsenal make Mohamed Elneny & Bernd Leno transfer decisions

by Ross Kennerley
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Arsenal make Mohamed Elneny & Bernd Leno transfer decisions as Mikel Arteta prepares for January window to open. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

The January window is fast approaching, even if it’s still a month away. The rumours continue to swirl with new arrivals linked with Arsenal just as outgoings are heavily mooted.

Throughout the Premier League season it’s become clear who is part of the manager’s thinking and who isn’t. Ever since having his near full complement of players available for the Norwich game, including the summer signings, a core group has been called upon.

That has left fringe players such as Calum Chambers, Eddie Nketiah and Pablo Mari left out of matchday squads entirely. The futures of a decent handful of players remain up in the air with some contracts expiring at the end of the season and others sure to seek premature exits.

Mohamed Elneny and Bernd Leno are among that group.

Arsenal make Mohamed Elneny & Bernd Leno transfer decisions as Mikel Arteta prepares for January window to open

As the fixture list piles up the minutes will be there for the Egyptian. Elneny has fallen down the midfield pecking order to Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Sambi Lokonga, two players Arteta has favoured to partner Thomas Partey in Granit Xhaka’s absence.

Rumours have been plentiful surrounding the 29-year-old, who continues to attract interest from sides in Turkey.

Reports have been steadfast on the point that Galatasaray are all-but certain of bringing him in over the winter window, a move Elneny may favour as he bids for regular football in this latter stage of his career.

As per The Athletic, these are advances that Arsenal look set to shun, as Arteta’s preference is to retain Elneny until the end of the season to maintain depth in his midfield. Of course, he won’t be available to for selection for what is likely to be the entirety of January, with Egypt favourites to win AFCON next year.

The final of that tournament is pencilled in for February 6.

By the end of the month Arsenal should be able to rely on the services of Partey, Xhaka, Sambi and Maitland-Niles, although they will also be in the reckoning for three competitions with the FA Cup beginning in January and the two-legged semi-finals of the Carabao Cup taking place on February 1.

Arsenal still have to navigate their way past Sunderland at home in the quarter-finals, but it would require an almighty upset to be knocked out by League One opposition at the Emirates Stadium.

The question is whether Arsenal can do without. Four midfielders is not a great deal, but Miguel Azeez can also be recalled in January to bolster the numbers if needs be, and he might be able to fill some gaps in the FA Cup. What this does suggest, most of all, is that midfield additions are unlikely in the winter window.

Elsewhere in the squad, a decision has been made on Leno.

Continued on next page…

Next: Leno transfer decision made

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