(Football news) Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny has extended his contract with Arsenal until June 2024. Elneny will be the club’s longest-serving player as he  is currently out with a knee injury and the timescale for his return is unknown The 30-year-old has gone on to play 155 times since signing from Basel in 2016. Elneny subsequently last played for the club in the FA Cup third round against Oxford in January, where he scored the opening goal in a 3-0 victory.

The Egyptian midfielder was set to be out of contract this summer and would have been a free agent in just a few months’ time. Arsenal confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the Egyptian star has agreed fresh terms, extending his contract by a year. With Elneny now committing his future to the Gunners, he will be hoping to play a role in their title run and potential return to the Champions League. Arsenal are currently two points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in-hand as Elneny hopes to come back and add bench strength to the team.

Elneny recently turned 30 as he spent a brief spell away from the club during the 2019/20 season with a loan spell to Turkish giants Besiktas, where he did really well as he has continued his form the Turkish League to the Premier League. Elneny’s injury meant that Arsenal had  to dip into the transfer market to acquire fellow midfielder Jorginho from Chelsea in the January transfer window as they push for a first Premier League title since 2004.

“I’m so happy, I love this club and our supporters so much and I’ll give everything to help us be the best we can be,” Elneny told Arsenal.com.

On his status as the longest-serving player among the current squad, he added: “It makes me so proud to have represented this amazing club since 2016. The spirit and togetherness we have in our squad right now is so positive.”

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