Mohamed Elneny: Arsenal's new boy shows Arsene Wenger is as stubborn as ever

ARSENE WENGER'S done it again. He’s pulled the wool over.

 

Mohamed Elneny made his Arsenal debut in the 2-1 win over Burnley

 

Mohamed Elneny was supposed to be the right man at the right time.

Finally Wenger had done the business and got the player he needed.

The January window opened and, with a strange precision, the Frenchman acted and got the deal done early.

Elneny signed for Arsenal on January 14 to beef up that midfield to help the title charge.

 

Arsenal were top of the league on goal difference and three points clear of Manchester City.

Fast forward two weeks and Arsenal are third, three points behind Leicester with Elneny yet to feature.

He made his debut this afternoon in the FA Cup fourth round tie with Burnley.

He gave away a foul inside two minutes. Was shrugged off by Andre Gray. And hit three or four shots, more out of hope, into a body of Burnley defenders.

He sauntered between midfield roles, swapping with Francis Coquelin, back after injury, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Alex Iwobi as he looked to find his calling.

 

"He’s not a monster,” Wenger admitted beforehand, almost a confession of doing it again: buying a midfielder similar to a number of others he already owns.

“Typically Middle Eastern people are very [wiry] with a big stamina and very agile.

“Sometimes they lack a bit of power, so he’s not a powerhouse, he's more of a mobility player."

That showed here on his debut against Burnley in the FA Cup. He moved well without the ball, tracking runs and filling empty pockets. 

He played simple passes, mostly back to the centre backs, before roaming on to try a shot or two from the edge of the box – someone might have to remind of the Arsenal Way: don’t shoot unless all other options have been exhausted.

 

Wenger said afterwards that he needs to adjust still. 

Just what Arsenal need in the middle of a title race. 

“He started a bit cautious, played a bit secure, but became more adventurous and had some good shots on goal,” Wenger said.

“His ability, his work rate was exceptional, for the rest he needs to adjust to the power of the game in the Premier League – it was a good welcome today and certainly he’s learned a lot today.

“Now he needs to adjust to the power side of our game here. 

He could prove to be a hit at the Emirates but again Wenger’s gone for what he knows rather than what he needs - and that could prove costly.