Mikel Arteta set for January dilemma as Arsenal duo consider exits
Mikel Arteta may have a midfield problem in the New Year, with Mohamed Elneny and Ainsley Maitland-Niles both allegedly considering leaving the club according to the reports from the metro.
Maitland-Niles has only started one league game this season, while Elneny has only made one appearance in the EFL Cup, against West Bromwich Albion in August.
The former made no secret of his disappointment on social media after a botched deadline day loan deal to Everton fell through.
After the 24-year-old went public with his issues, Maitland-Niles and Arteta conducted open conversations, with the Spaniard allegedly telling him that he’ll be included in his plans.
Elneny, on the other hand, looks to be even lower down the pecking order, with Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Parte, and Albert Sambi Lokonga all ahead of him.
Xhaka has been ruled out for three months due to injury, but any player may be given extra game time.
If it doesn’t work out, both players might look to leave in the January transfer window, according to The Sun.
Elneny’s contract expires at the conclusion of the season, and despite Arteta’s best efforts, there is presently no new agreement on the table.
Maitland-Niles is under contract until the summer of 2023, but he was obviously keen to go on loan to Everton in the summer to gain more playing time.
With Partey and Elneny due to represent their nations in the African Cup of Nations in January, Arteta may be left with disgruntled players in the new year.
According to the source, Arteta may convince Maitland-Niles to stay in order to offer insurance for Partey and the injured Xhaka, while the Gunners may contemplate selling Elneny for a price in order to prevent losing him for free next summer.
