Arsenal

Mohamed Elneny: 'I could have left Arsenal'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 12 April 2018

Egypt international Mohamed Elneny reveals that he turned down interest from elsewhere to sign a new contract extension at Arsenal.

Mohamed Elneny has revealed that he turned down interest from elsewhere to sign a new contract extension at Arsenal.

The Egypt international penned a new long-term deal with the Gunners last month, and is now reportedly contracted to the London club until the summer of 2022.

Elneny has struggled to hold down a regular spot in the Arsenal midfield since his arrival from Basel in 2016, but the 25-year-old was not ready to 'give up on his dream' of representing the club.

"There were some clubs interested in me because I was not playing enough games and maybe they thought they could sign me or even have me on loan," Elneny told Arsenal Player.

"I heard about this in the news just like everyone else and I was not interested at all. I spoke with the people here at the club and I told them, 'I don't want to leave. I want to fight for my position'.

"I trust myself, I have a dream to pursue and I am not going to give up on it. I dream big and this is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I want to stay.

"The club welcomed my decision to stay and that was the end of it. People were saying, 'You aren't playing enough games, maybe you should leave or go on loan somewhere' but I wanted to prove myself. I played the first game of the season in the Community Shield and I proved I can play for Arsenal and will continue to fight for my position."

Elneny will be available for Arsenal's Premier League clash with Newcastle United this weekend after having his red card against Southampton overturned.