Mohamed Elneny Thread (official)

[I am invisible]

If that's the best that can be commented about him, probably best just waiting until he plays because that comment from that other poster says nothing really.

If the most negative thing anyone can find to say about him is that they're not sure he's going to be taking a starting spot from Coquelin or Cazorla yet, then I think that's fair enough. I mean is anyone really likely to predict anything more, given the jump from the Swiss league to the Prem, and the fact that he's making the switch mid-season? Even if you thought he could be a future Ballon D'or winner, you'd probably still err on the side of caution here.

Besides, there's no shame in sitting behind those two right now anyway...

http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...o-ronaldo-rank

(See numbers 21 and 22 on the list respectively)

Based on the bits I've seen and read about him though, it all sounds positive. At the very worst I think he'll end up being a kind of midfield utility man, who has a great attitude and work ethic, and who can provide a bit of cover as either a defensive, holding, or box-to-box midfielder when needed. At best, I'm hoping we've unearthed another gem for peanuts. Obviously it would be great if it's the latter, but even the former would be welcome, given out current needs!

[fakeyank]

To 'watch me (whip / nae nae)

He's from Egypt,
He's Elnenny

He's from Egypt, Egypt,
He's Elnenny.

Love that!

[Letters]

And picking out one poster on another forum, no matter his nationality, hardly makes him the authority on Elneny. That's as daft as someone coming on here and quoting Letters elsewhere as the most rational and informative Arsenal fan.

Hey! Wait.....what?!

[KSE Comedy Club]

Love that!

I can't help but sing it whenever it comes on the radio now

[Özim]

What level did you expect to be available at this time of year, especially early in the window? And that comment complains he didn't go forward much and kept it simple - isn't that what we need at the moment alongside Ramsey? Looking at his stats he has played 91 games in two and half seasons, so he seems fairly integral to Basel.

And picking out one poster on another forum, no matter his nationality, hardly makes him the authority on Elneny. That's as daft as someone coming on here and quoting Letters elsewhere as the most rational and informative Arsenal fan.

That's a bit of an excuse, if you have the money there's always someone, yes sure you'd have to pay more but that's what happens when you make poor managerial decisions and fail to adequately recruit in the summer transfer window thus forcing you to spend in January.

As for picking on a posters comments, well trouble is noone else knows anything about this guy, so to have someone who has seen him play for years comment isn't unreasonable.

The trouble is with this guy, is yes he could be some kind of bargain buy, but on the same token he could be an average joe we end up being stuck with for the next 5 years which effectively rules out us signing someone of quality for that period.

At the end of the day we can make all of the excuses we want, but he's an unknown, pretty cheap and a typical Wenger signing, a few come of these come off but plenty of these don't as well and once again Wenger is being Wenger and making cost the primary criteria, let's face it you wouldn't have found one person on this forum (possibly any) who would have touted this guy as a potential signing.

[Özim]

It's January bro, if anyone makes a substantional signing this month I'll be surprised. The best players just aren't going to up and leave midway through a season.

This guy is underwhelming sure, but like all new players lets just wait and see what he does on the pitch first. For what it's worth this isn't like signing Kallstrom, the Egyptian has obviously got some sort of pedigree in terms of the level he's been playing at for the past couple of years.

I don't disagree, but on the same note where there's a will there's a way (if you're willing to pay basically), we couldn't do it last summer so I didn't expect us to do it now, so I'm not left disappointed.

As for this guy and his pedigree, I'm not too sure, noone's heard of him so it doesn't like he's stood out, and tbf we'd heard of the guy Chelsea signed, Saleh. We'll see what he does, but this is Wenger allover really.

[Gooner23]

I don't have an issue with this signing. I wouldn't swap anyone for Coq as our first choice holding mid right now, or not anyone that is realistically attainable this transfer window anyway. So if this guy provides solid back up I'd be happy. I know it is a bit of a punt but from what I have read it sounds quite promising and will give him a chance. Wenger's recent record with more unknown signings (Gabriel, Monreal) has been pretty good.

[Letters]

@Zim

You really are the most negative, glass half empty person ever.
You just suck the enjoyment out of everything.


No, it's Wenger that does that (thought I'd add that to save you the bother of replying.

[Power n Glory]

http://www.skysports.com/football/ne...-in-at-arsenal

Sounds like a good player on our hands. We need strength and energy in the middle. If his passing is good, it may help Ramsey get back to form and soften the blow of losing Cazorla.

[Kano]

That's a bit of an excuse, if you have the money there's always someone, yes sure you'd have to pay more but that's what happens when you make poor managerial decisions and fail to adequately recruit in the summer transfer window thus forcing you to spend in January.

As for picking on a posters comments, well trouble is noone else knows anything about this guy, so to have someone who has seen him play for years comment isn't unreasonable.

The trouble is with this guy, is yes he could be some kind of bargain buy, but on the same token he could be an average joe we end up being stuck with for the next 5 years which effectively rules out us signing someone of quality for that period.

At the end of the day we can make all of the excuses we want, but he's an unknown, pretty cheap and a typical Wenger signing, a few come of these come off but plenty of these don't as well and once again Wenger is being Wenger and making cost the primary criteria, let's face it you wouldn't have found one person on this forum (possibly any) who would have touted this guy as a potential signing.

Far from an excuse, it’s a reality. Go back and check how many reputable players transfer early in the January transfer window, if at all. If anything, it’s a thin and lazy accusation to trot out generic statements about big players etc without bothering to look at how recent windows have panned out across the board. Of course Wenger made a big mistake in the summer not buying in a back-up but we can either live in the past and cut ourselves over the mistakes, or accept what has happened and deal with the reality of now. I’m sure you don’t live your life that way, so I don’t see the point in constantly lamenting what happened 6 months ago.

Picking out a random poster on the internet means nothing, mostly because they have no credibility. He is just a random on the internet laying out a post, without any context. Just words that mean pretty much nothing. Fans go onto websites everyday with their ludicrous ideas about the game, suggestions on players that have amazing stats on FIFA and so of course must be just as good in real life, or vice-versa. Some Egyptian dude (apparently) leaving a post means very little. But if you insist we set-out our opinion on this player based on this mystery fan, then take a second look at his opinion. Simple passes and doesn’t get forward much? Tick. A competent back up to Coquelin? Tick. What else do you want at this time in the season, within the context of our current mid-season squad?

And of course, Elneny could turn out to be a disaster or a success but why think of the worst case scenario first of all? Surely we all want him to be a plus to the team, so until we he steps onto the pitch and plays a few games, as an Arsenal player we should be behind him. I always thought that came part-and-parcel of being a football fan. No-one is punching the air because we are signing Elneny but I would assume most fans are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now.