There have been rumours doing the rounds that Arsenal have held talks with Switzerland-based FC Basel to sign their defensive midfielder Mohamed El Neeny in the January transfer window. It is also believed that the 23-year-old has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners ahead of his move to the Emirates.
The deal is reportedly pegged at £5 million for the Egyptian International.
If the deal does materialise it will be Arsenal’s first signing in the January transfer window. Rumour has it that Wenger is also keen on landing Russian international striker Aleksandr Kokorin who plays for Dynamo Moskva.
El Neeny has made 144 appearances in three seasons for Basel and has 36 caps for the Egyptian national side.
Arsenal have been struggling for some time with injuries in the defensive midfield position. With first team regulars Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin out until at least March and Mikel Arteta’s long term fitness in considerable doubt, El Neey would be a welcome addition to the squad.
It so happens that El Neeny somewhat resembles Coquelin physically with the former being a little taller as well as a bit thinner than the boisterous Frenchman. Wenger will have something less to worry about as it seems likely that El Neeny can cope up with the physical challenge of the English Premier League. Thus over coming an aspect of the League that has made many stalwarts of the game struggle in England, El Neeny has the added advantage of pace and physicality.
Arsenal need reinforcements in midfield owing to their injury crisis
Statistics also show that Arsenal has performed better when Coquelin has played as their holding midfielder. They have won 10 of the 13 games they have played with Coquelin as the defensive midfielder. However, they have won only 6 of the 15 games they have played without him. Coquelin’s pass completion rate currently stands at 83.47%.
But now with Coquelin injured along with Cazorla, Arteta and Jack Wilshere, Arsene Wenger is currently with a mini injury crisis on his hands. He has tried to play Calum Chambers in that position but it has not been of much help. Mathieu Flamini and Aaron Ramsey have started the Gunners’ last four games in central midfield.
However, the pair looked sluggish in Arsenal’s 4-0 demolition at the hands of Southampton on Saturday. El Neeny could be the answer to Arsenal's problems.
Sometimes small names with smaller fees are smarter solutions than big names with big money transfers. Arsene Wenger is going for a smart solution and is trying to prove yet again that Arsenal are different from the rest.
