Aaron Ramsey lasted a grand total of 16 minutes in Arsenal’s 4-0 thrashing of Hull City in midweek. The win may have secured the Gunners’ place in the quarter finals of the FA Cup, but at what cost? The Wales international replaced injured teammate Gabriel just before the hour mark, before limping off with a thigh problem a quarter of an hour later, not only putting Arsenal’s hopes in jeopardy, but Ramsey’s Euro 2016 participation in doubt.
It remains to be seen whether he was rushed back by Arsene Wenger or whether the player himself pleaded to feature, but either way; the Gunners’ domestic chances are dented as a result. While underwhelming in the middle of the park of late - a decent outing in the North London Derby aside - the Welshman’s absence leaves Wenger thin on the ground in regards to deep-lying options.
Jack Wilshere and Santi Cazorla remain sidelined, while Mathieu Flamini’s lacklustre performances in the middle of the park suggest he is hardly the man to provide the necessary defensive foundations to build upon. While injuries are continuing to ravage Wenger’s side, Mohamed Elneny could maximise the ever-increasing absentee list to leave his mark for the north London side.
The Egyptian was an unexpected starter in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham, yet looked a seasoned Premier League pro in an effective showing in front of the defence. It would likely have been a full league debut to remember had it not been for Francis Coquelin’s nonsensical red card in the second half that allowed Spurs back into the game. Having served his suspension at Hull, however, Coquelin is expected to feature alongside Elneny in the double-pivot in Wenger’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation against Watford on Sunday.
Given the club’s midfield crisis, Coquelin and Elneny are expected to partner one another for the foreseeable future. While injuries are never pleasant for any team, Elneny now has the chance to showcase his worth to the fans, much like Coquelin following the termination of his loan spell at Charlton.
The 23-year-old played a vital role in Basel’s progression to the knockout stages of the Europa League prior to his switch. A WhoScored rating of 7.70 remains the best of all players for the Swiss side, with Elneny the lynchpin in the middle of the park. Indeed, only Mirko Valdifiori (100.6) and Mats Hummels (92.1) have averaged more passes per game than Elneny (90) in Europe’s second competition this season, with the Egypt star finding a teammate with 92.4% of his passes.
His calmness in possession is perhaps his strongest trait, with a composing figure in the middle of the park an asset, particularly with the at times erratic Flamini and Coquelin being Wenger’s other two options in his position. While he struggled to really set the tempo at White Hart Lane, an 80.5% pass success rate - the third best of all Arsenal starters - in his baptism of fire was a commendable enough return given the occasion and Spurs’ high-pressing style of play.
As the games come thick and fast for Arsenal, this lack of urgency can be a blessing in the middle of the park. While teams may franticly hunt down their end goal, Elneny remains a calming influence in the middle of the park. Of course, any player who moves to a new league in January can initially struggle, but Elneny’s sporadic outings suggests he is one who will swiftly adjust to the rigourous demands of English football.
It’s now crucial he maintain an immediate level of consistency if he is to quickly get Arsenal’s title charge back on track and help the team book another trip to Wembley. While a Champions League exit is a nigh-on certainty, there is still silverware to be won and Elneny has a crucial role to play for that to come to fruition. Arsenal are averaging the most possession (55.9%) in the Premier League this season and it’s somewhat evident that the young midfielder adequately suits Wenger’s approach.
While he won’t provide the same thrust as Ramsey or creative qualities as Cazorla from deep, his ball retention qualities puts him ahead of Flamini in the pecking order, of that there is no doubt. Coquelin offers a higher level of defensive resiliency, but Elneny's ability to hold onto the ball in the face of adversity would ensure Arsenal remain settled. An inclination to sit deeper also allows for the full-backs to break forward more readily, safe in the knowledge their midfield teammates are covering the space they leave when they move forward.
As the games tick down towards the end of the season, with the Gunners in with their best chance of securing the Premier League title for the first time since 2004, Elneny suddenly has an important role to play in the coming weeks.
Does Elneny have what it takes to establish himself as a first team regular in the Arsenal midfield? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
