ARSENAL ‘have NO intentions’ of allowing Mohamed Elneny to leave this month.
The Egyptian midfielder, 28, has struggled for match action in recent weeks despite being a regular under Mikel Arteta earlier in the campaign.
He has been pushed down the pecking order after the arrival of Thomas Partey from Atletico Madrid and Besiktas have been linked with a loan swoop for the star.
Elneny played 36 times for them on loan last season, becoming a firm fan favourite.
Despite making 19 appearances in all competitions, Partey’s imminent return to action is likely to see Elneny fall even further down the pecking order at Arsenal.
And Besiktas are ready to return and offer him an escape from the Emirates.
But according to football.london, the Gunners have no plans to let Elneny leave while they are still challenging in the European places in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Arteta hailed Partey as an ‘enormous talent’ who is set to ‘transform’ Arsenal for the remainder of the season.
The Ghanian, 27, has been restricted to just six games so far due to injuries and suffered a recurrence of his thigh problem on his return during the North London derby defeat to Tottenham.
Now he is well on the road to recovery and is hoping to feature on January 9 against Newcastle in the FA Cup.
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Arteta said: “We are in January and I think he’s played two and a half games, that’s all and he was our main signing.
“We’ve been missing him. He brings something different to the team, he’s a player with an enormous talent. But as well someone that can transform the team the way we want.
“It’s great if we can have him, keep him healthy and I think he will contribute in a really positive way.”
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