Arsenal s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny
The 31-year-old, whose contract expired in June, signed a one-year contract extension with the London club.
Elneny stated that he still has a lot to offer in football for another five or six years.
In an interview with the Evening Standard, Elneny described the day he signed the contract extension as one of the happiest days of his life.
“It was one of the happiest days in my life,” Elneny said in an interview with English newspaper Evening Standard.
“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 per cent, so much. They know I don’t want to leave. I want to stay and finish my career there, 100 per cent,” the Pharaohs player added.
Elneny's contract extension came while he was recovering from a serious knee injury that kept him out of action from January to September. Despite his injury, Arsenal did not hesitate to offer him a new contract, which Elneny appreciated. He praised the club for their immediate response and their belief in him.
“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,” the player explained.
Future plans
Having made 156 appearances for Arsenal since joining in 2016, Elneny emphasized that he still has a lot to achieve before retiring from football.
He aims to continue playing until the age of 36 or 37, giving him approximately five or six more years in the sport.
Elneny is determined to prove his worth this season and regain his place in the starting lineup, showing his commitment to the club.
“I want to finish my career when I’m 37 or 36, so I still have five or six years left to go,” he said.
“I’m working really hard like always and trying to go back into the first XI for Arsenal. For sure, it’s my goal this year,” the veteran midfielder said.
“I know I’m coming back from a long injury and this is what I’m doing in the training ground; fighting, fighting and fighting to come back and be in the starting XI.
“That’s why I’m giving 100 per cent every day to show I’m ready to play and then when I get the chance to play, I have to show I can still be there and give my everything to this club,” he concluded.
Arsenal has had a strong start to the season, currently sitting in second place in the Premier League table with 20 points. Elneny hopes to contribute to the team's success and repay the faith shown in him by the club.
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