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Tag: Mohamed Elneny

  • Evaluating Albert Sambi Lokonga’s Potential Departure from Arsenal

    Evaluating Albert Sambi Lokonga’s Potential Departure from Arsenal

    By Milcah Tanimu

    As speculation mounts regarding Albert Sambi Lokonga’s future at Arsenal, it’s crucial to assess the implications of his potential departure. Despite high hopes upon his arrival in 2021, Lokonga’s performances have failed to meet expectations, leading to limited playing time and loan spells.

    While Lokonga’s departure may signal Arsenal’s need to strengthen their midfield, it also raises questions about the club’s long-term strategy and recruitment priorities. As they aim to compete at the highest level, Arsenal must strike a balance between nurturing young talent and acquiring players who can make an immediate impact.

    With the midfield department already facing uncertainties with Mohamed Elneny’s departure and Thomas Partey’s future uncertain, Arsenal’s negotiation team faces a significant task in reshaping the squad for the upcoming season. Ultimately, Lokonga’s potential exit underscores the challenges Arsenal faces in assembling a competitive team capable of challenging for top honors in the Premier League and beyond.

  • Mo Salah and Mohamed Elneny to fly home from Egypt after further positive tests

    Mo Salah and Mohamed Elneny to fly home from Egypt after further positive tests

    Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny will fly back to the UK on a private jet from Egypt on Friday after returning further positive tests for coronavirus, according to the Egyptian Football Association.

    Both players have been self-isolating after testing positive while on international duty and were checked again on Thursday, returning another positive swab.

    Salah, who initially tested positive for coronavirus last Friday, has missed Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations two qualifiers against Togo.

    The pair will now return to the UK, where they will be tested on arrival and must complete their 10-day isolation period, as outlined by the UK government’s coronavirus rules.

    Salah is expected to be ruled out of Liverpool’s match with Leicester in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League.

    In a statement on Thursday, the Egyptian FA said: “The Egyptian Federation has been in constant contact and coordination with the two clubs since each of them was infected with coronavirus.

    “Communication was made through captain Mohamed Fadl, a member of the five-year committee in charge of managing the Federation’s affairs at the administrative level, and Dr. Muhammad Abu Al-Ela, the doctor of the national team at the medical level, while the two players made a new swab for each. Both of them today were positive.”

    Salah is the fourth Liverpool first-team player to test positive for coronavirus this season, following Thiago in September and then Sadio Mane and Xherdan Shaqiri in October.

    Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac has also tested positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    Kolasinac and international team-mate Ibrahim Sehic both missed Wednesday’s game against Italy.

  • Arsenal midfielder isolating in Egypt after positive Covid test

    Arsenal midfielder isolating in Egypt after positive Covid test

    Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny is self-isolating in Cairo after testing positive for Covid-19 while on international duty with Egypt.

    The 28-year-old tested positive after arriving in Togo with the Egyptian squad ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday.

    Elneny is showing no symptoms and is now back in Cairo isolating.

    The news was confirmed by his agent on Twitter and the Egyptian Football Association on Facebook on Monday evening.

    Arsenal are in contact with Elneny and the Egyptian FA and will provide further updates.

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    Alan Nazmy, who represents the Arsenal midfielder, posted: “Elneny Positive Cov19 get well soon.”

    The Egyptian FA said Elneny was now self-isolating in line with medical protocols.

    His positive test comes three days after Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah suffered a similar fate while also on international duty with Egypt.

    “The results of the medical swabs conducted by the national team upon arrival in Togo showed negative all except for Arsenal player Mohamed Elneny, whose result appeared positive without any symptoms,” the EFA said on Facebook.

    “The player immediately began to implement the special medical protocol for people infected with Covid-19.”

    Elneny has impressed for the Gunners having recently returned to the squad after spending last season on loan at Besiktas.

    He has featured in five of the Gunners’ eight Premier League games this season, including the entirety of their impressive 1-0 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

    Elneny’s performances have prompted talk of a new contract for the midfielder – who has less than two years remaining on his current deal.