What happened to Arsenal's 'next Vieira' who Emery was accused of freezing out
For so long, Arsenal fans would say that the Gunners were just one combative midfielder away from challenging for the big honours.
Back in the Gunners' glory days, they'd have the likes of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva lining up in the middle of the park, fiercely contesting every duel as if it were their last. Then, once the two departed, that glaring physical presence was replaced with a more technical profile, but Silva feels there is one player still within the Arsenal ranks that can hold his own.
Mohamed Elneny, signed by Arsene Wenger in 2016, was for a long time one of the few Gunners midfielders who boasted traits similar to that of legendary midfielder Vieira - according to Silva. Speaking in 2020, the Brazilian seemed to suggest the Arsenal midfield was crying out for something different.
"In the last few years, the situation has been difficult at Arsenal," Silva told France Football. "They have very similar players in midfield, with profiles that resemble each other and not really players of the profile of Patrick Vieira, or even my profile.
"The only individual who resembled... (is) Mohamed Elneny, but he didn't play. But they have not really had those types of players to cover the defensive midfield position."
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The comments came at a time when Elneny had been sent out on loan to Turkish giants Besiktas, having been deemed surplus to requirements by then Arsenal boss Unai Emery. Many thought that his time at the Emirates was all but over, until Mikel Arteta arrived at the helm.
The Spaniard once considered Elneny a team-mate and has spoken a number of times during his four-year reign as Arsenal boss about how much he values the Egypt international as a member of the squad. Though Elneny is by no means the first name on the team-sheet, he is a popular member within the dressing room.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Was Emery wrong to send Elneny out on loan? Comment below
Mohamed Elneny is Arsenal's longest-serving player (Getty Images)After the 31-year-old made a long-awaited return from a lengthy knee injury that kept him sidelined for nine months, Arteta told the media: "He fully deserves that. It’s been a long, long process for him, he’s put a lot of hours and work, and it’s credit as well to the physios and the medical department because we need him.
"He brings something special to the team and I’m really pleased that he played some minutes today."
Arteta's comments are in stark contrast to how Emery felt about Elneny, with one openly explaining about how the side needs him while the other shipped him out on loan. The midfielder remains at the club to this day, though has played just nine minutes of football so far this season.
As for the rest of the Arsenal midfield, it looks as if they finally got their Vieira replacement after all in £105million man Declan Rice.
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