Arsenal’s latest signing, Mohamed Elneny, has arrived from FC Basel with high ambitions and a desire to quickly adapt to life at the Emirates. At 23, the Egyptian midfielder is eager to showcase his talent in the Premier League and proudly represents his country on one of football’s biggest stages.
“Any player would be so proud to play for Arsenal, whether they’re Egyptian or not,” Elneny said in an interview with Arsenal Player. “Being Arsenal’s first Egyptian player is a huge honor and it makes me very happy.”
The Pharaoh is determined to prove himself both for the club and for his nation. “I am ready to work hard for the Premier League, for my own reputation but also for that of Egypt, and also to show everyone that Egyptian players are capable of playing very well in the Premier League,” he added.
Elneny’s football journey began in his hometown of Almahallah, Egypt, where he trained at El Mokawloon SC. His development was shaped profoundly by his parents, who instilled in him a deep passion for the sport from an early age. “My father is a football coach here in Egypt. He has a great passion for football and he always made sure that I accompanied him to all his matches and training sessions,” Elneny recalled.
The young midfielder remembers long hours on the pitch, playing in the intense Egyptian heat for more than 10 hours at a time. “Sometimes we played in the heat for more than 10 hours. This is really normal in Egypt. I was like all Egyptian children because we all have a great passion for football. As soon as we left the classroom, we headed straight to the football pitches,” he said.
Elneny credits his parents for nurturing his ambition and supporting his early footballing endeavors. “My parents played a big role in my passion for football and they encouraged me to play football. It’s very nice and important to have such supportive parents, I’m very grateful to them,” he said.
“My mother accompanied me to all the clubs I went to. Ever since we were young, my parents wanted me to become a footballer and they are behind this great passion I have for football. I could feel their support from home. It’s very nice to see they like your job or the job you like to do, and that really helped me a lot,” Elneny added.
Having honed his skills at FC Basel before joining Arsenal, Elneny is now set to test himself against some of the toughest competition in the Premier League. His technical ability, combined with his discipline and determination, has already earned him recognition in Europe, and the Gunners hope that he will provide a reliable presence in midfield.
For Elneny, the journey is about more than just personal success; it is also about inspiring young Egyptian players and showing that talent from Africa can thrive on the world stage. As he dons the Arsenal jersey, Mohamed Elneny carries both the hopes of his new club and the pride of his nation.
