The Gunners could bring the midfielder in before Tuesday’s transfer deadline amid concerns over Mohamed Elneny’s injury, Arsenal’s head coach has admitted.
What did Mikel Arteta say?
Arsenal have already made two signings this month: Belgian player Leandro Trossard arrived from the Seagulls for £26m ($32m) and Polish defender Jakub Kiwior joined from La Spezia for around £20m ($25m). But they may have to plunge back into the market amid fears that a knee injury that Mohamed Elneny picked up in training ahead of the north London derby could rule him out for the season.
Asked about the possibility of missing the Egyptian player for the remainder of the campaign, the Arsenal manager said there are concerns, especially Mohamed Elneny, a player who never complains about anything. According to Mikel Arteta, he had some problems with his knee which they are evaluating at the moment and they will have to see how it develops.
Mohamed’s injury leaves Belgian midfielder Sambi Lokonga as Partey’s only remaining natural cover and with the Belgian yet to show any type of convincing form since joining from Anderlecht, the Gunners now look very light in central midfield. Speaking about the possibility of adding another player to cover the Egyptian player, Mikel added that they need some more cover in midfield ideally if they can. Arteta says it’s quite difficult to do so in this market. If there is something else that can make them better, they will look into it.
What will happen after this for the Gunners?
Arsenal head to Man City on Friday night in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Gunners manager Mikel Arteta would have preferred not to challenge Guardiola’s Citizens for the league title due to the friendship between the two.
How was everything?
The Gunners will face Manchester City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday, pitting them against their friend and former manager. The pair are also vying for the Premier League title, but Mikel says the high stakes in the competition won’t affect their friendship. Mikel Arteta at the press conference said that he had a strange feeling. According to him, he wants the best for him, sincerely, and when they try with such a person, something happens in between.
Arteta has always hoped that one day it will be like this and it is happening this season. It won’t change any friendship, the moments they have, how important he is in his life, how important he is in his profession. They are both ready to win and protect their clubs in any case and it has always been that way from day one. Mikel Ateta would rather do it with someone else to be fair.
A little about the topic
Mikel spent three years as Pep’s assistant before he left the Premier League champions to take over as Gunners manager in 2019. His team are now five points away from Manchester City at the top of the table and have only lost once in the competition this term. Arsenal will try to qualify for the next round of the FA Cup when they face Man City this week. They will then take on the Toffees in the PL on February 4th.