Mohamed Elneny: who is the FC Basel midfielder set to undergo Arsenal medical next week?

All you need to know about the 23-year-old Gunners' target

James Orr
Monday 28 December 2015 16:01 GMT
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Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny
Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny (Getty Images)

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Reports are gathering pace at rapid speed that Arsenal are closing in on the £5m signing of Mohamed Elneny, but who is the Egyptian midfielder?

Where does he play?

The 23-year-old plays in central midfield. A position where players are much needed to Arsene Wenger at the moment, with Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere all currently sidelined.

It has been reported that Wenger sees Elneny as a long-term part of the squad, and just a stop-gap to cover the mounting injuries.

He is a pass master

Elneny's pass completion rate of 92.4% in this season's Europa League was the highest posted by any Basel player.

He played at the London Olympics

This will not be the first time he has played in England, far from it. Elneny played in all four of Egypt's games at the 2012 Games, when they reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Japan, losing 3-0.

How many international caps has he won?

At senior level for Egypt, he has won 39 caps.

Can he play in the Champions League this season?

Yes. He is eligible to play in the Champions League after Basel failed to qualify for this season's group stage.

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