Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has confirmed his desire to stay on at the Emirates Stadium beyond the summer.
The Egypt international has only been given limited opportunities in the first XI this season but has impressed in back-to-back starts against Chelsea and Manchester United in the past week.
Mikel Arteta recently hailed Elneny as one of the most important players in the Arsenal squad, but the 29-year-old has been tipped to leave when his deal expires at the end of the season.
Elneny has been linked with a move to Turkey amid his struggles to displace Thomas Partey in the Arsenal XI, but the former Basel man would be keen to remain in North London.
As quoted by the Irish Examiner, Elneny said: "I always love a challenge and give 100 per cent all the time. I don't decide who plays but I keep going in training to show how good I am and to make him play me.
"If I don't play I keep going until I get my chance. If Arsenal say 'we want you' I don't think about leaving. It's my family for six years. I love this club."
Elneny set up Granit Xhaka's long-range goal in Saturday's 3-1 win against Manchester United and boasts a total of five goals and 10 assists in 142 matches for the Gunners since arriving in 2016.
Ben Knapton
