New Arsenal signing Mohamed Elneny has sky-high ambitions with treble targeted this season

MOHAMED ELNENY celebrated the finalisation of his drawn-out move to Arsenal by raising the prospect of trebles all round.

 

Mohamed Elneny scored two goals in five Europa League appearances for Basel earlier this season

 

The Egypt international completed his lengthy £5million move from Basle and could even play in Sunday's Premier League trip to Stoke "subject to the completion of regulatory processes," according to Arsenal official website.

The match starts an important period of the season for the Gunners when they are looking to shrug off joint leaders Leicester at the top of the table, continue through the fourth round of the FA Cup and eventually do their best to topple Barcelona in the first knockout round of the Champions League.

"I am hoping that we win the Premier League and cup this season and the Champions League as well," said the midfielder.

"Arsenal is one of the world's greatest teams and I am very keen to participate positively and to give my best. Arsenal is one of those teams that everyone enjoys watching. It is an indescribable feeling to have signed.

"Mr Wenger is a highly respected manager and one of the world's best managers; it is my honour to be trained under his management.

 

"I would like to tell the fans that, although you have not seen much of me, I promise I will contribute positively."

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, of course, knows all about him, having tracked Elneny for more than a year.

He added: "He can be box-to-box and be a holding midfielder so that is for us very promising. We wanted a versatile player and I wanted a player who can play defensively but can as well play to box-to-box.

"His strengths are his technical level, his vision, his intelligence, his disciplined attitude and his physical attitude to compete at a high level. I think he has the physical qualities to play at the top level."

His arrival in Switzerland coincided with the first of three successive back-to-back Swiss Super League titles for Basle, which in turn led to plenty of European experience.

 

Of course, as a midfielder there will be no hiding from the cut and thrust of the unique experience of playing in the Premier League and with that in mind Wenger is cautious about rushing Elneny too quickly into the thick of things and plans to blood him gently over the rest of the season.

"Where he needs to adapt is to the challenges, the force needed in the Premier League to survive," said Wenger. "I think that could demand a little bit of adaptation. But overall I think he has all the attributes to do well."

A visit to the Britannia would indeed be a baptism of fire as Arsenal always seem to struggle at Stoke, having lost three times and drawn twice in their last five visits.

Speaking after the thrilling 3-3 draw against Liverpool, Wales international Aaron Ramsey cannot afford to let that run continue if Arsenal are to keep their noses in front in the title race.

"We have a tough game coming up against Stoke," he said. "We haven't found it easy the last few times we have been there but we will be looking to get back to winning ways and get back on another run."