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Arsenal star Mohamed Elneny’s form for club and country during this calendar year has earned him a place on the 30-man shortlist nomination for the CAF Player of the Year award.
The midfielder was central to Egypt’s run to the final of the African Cup of Nations in January – ultimately losing on penalties to winners Senegal – formed a vital midfield partnership with Granit Xhaka replacing the injured Thomas Partey, who isn’t on the shortlist.
Elneny has since been awarded a new contract at the Emirates having previously looked a nailed-on candidate to leave the Emirates this summer.
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🇹🇳✖️130 players from 13 countries contending to sit on the throne of African football. 👑
Your preliminary nominations for the #CAFAwards2022 Player of the Year 📝 pic.twitter.com/FZGiM7ugxP
— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 30, 2022
Indeed, in 14 Premier League outings and eight starts, the former Basel man excelled superbly in his defensive contributions, forming a solid base in front of the Arsenal back-line, averaging 1.0 interceptions, 1.1 tackles, 0.8 clearances per game as well as winning an impressive 60% of his ground duels proving a crucial tool in Arteta’s team.
With Arteta looking to considerably bolster his young squad this summer, keeping the invaluable experience and qualities of the 91-time Egyptian international is the correct decision, with the Spaniard needing all the know-how and experience from his stars heading into the new campaign.
While a CAF award triumph may seem far-fetched for the 29-year-old, he can certainly take tremendous pride in how his second half of the 2021/22 campaign played out. Long may it continue.
AND in other news, club legend urges Arsenal to sign “exceptional” £63m-rated deadly finisher…
