Mohamed Elneny cried when he learned Arsenal were offering him a new contract, shortly after his injury earlier this year.
Mohamed Elneny suffered a serious knee injury with Arsenal earlier this year, requiring surgery and an extended absence.
But just a day later, the midfielder reveals the Gunners were already talking to him about a new contract.
“It was one of the happiest days in my life,” Elneny said. “The way they spoke to me, the way the entire club was happy about this decision, they made me cry this day.
“Arsenal football club, they know I love them 100 percent, so much. They know I don’t want to leave. I want to stay and finish my career there, 100 percent.
“I was injured and my contract was finishing and I could not play anymore last season, and they came straight away after I got injured, the next day and said: ‘Mo, what sort of contract will it have to be? We love you here and we and we want you to stay’.
“Really, this club is great.”
Elneny eventually signed a contract extension in February, agreeing on a deal to 2024.
The midfielder previously had a contract to 2023, plus a one-year option to extend. However, he signed a totally new deal on lower wages instead of activating that option.
This made sense for Elneny, as it secured his future while he recovers from injury with Arsenal.
If the Gunners had opted against activating his extension, he would’ve been an injured free agent in the summer.
On Arsenal’s end, they saved a bit of money while Elneny was injured due to the wage drop, and now they have the midfielder fit and available again on lower wages this season. So it worked for them too.
Elneny recently returned to the starting lineup with Egypt, playing 45 minutes and impressing in a friendly win over Zambia.