"When things become difficult, I think the club has to behave in the right way. We have some really good examples of that and we have to continue to do that," the Spanish tactician said in an answer to a reporter's question at a press conference on Friday on whether Elneny’s contract - set to expire in June 2023 - will be extended.

"Our way of treating people [is] living together and what we expect from people is to give the maximum," stressed Artete, whose Gunners are leading the English Premier League with 17 games to play in the season.

The 30-year-old Egyptian made his last appearance with the Gunners on 9 January, playing the full 90 minutes and finding the net in his side’s 3-0 win over Oxford United in the FA Cup.

However, he was injured in a training session a few days after the Oxford win.

Elneny, who joined the Gunners in 2016, has struggled to secure playing time with the team this season, making only eight appearances in all competitions.

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