Mohamed Elneny scores wonderstrike in Europa League dead rubber against Dundalk
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Martin Keown believes Mohamed Elneny has sent a strong message to Mikel Arteta to consider him in Arsenal’s first team plans after the Egyptian midfield scored a rocket against Dundalk.
The Gunners boss made eleven changes for the Premier League side’s trip to Ireland in their final Europa League group game, having already booked their place in the knockout rounds.
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Eddie Nketiah got Arsenal off to a great start with a deft finish before Elneny produced a wonderful goal from range after a neat one-two with Emile Smith-Rowe on the edge of the box.
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And former Gunners defender Keown says Elneny’s effort should resonate with Arteta as he weighs up who to select for Sunday’s visit of Burnley in the top flight.
‘I think that is a message, that goal – “I am available for the first team. There are places up for grabs, and maybe that is going to get me one of them”‘, he told BT Sport at half time.
‘It’s just a wondergoal from Elneny,’ Owen Hargreaves added. ‘They are a dream as a player to get that space.
Arsenal boss Arteta is struggling to select his best eleven with a series of poor performances
‘Opens up. Smith-Rowe draws a few defenders. Bang. That is absolutely what you dream of. There’d even be celebrations in training if he did that in training, never mind in a game.’
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While Arsenal have been in fine form in Europe this season, the same cannot be said for their results in the Premier League.
The Gunners have lost six of their last 10 games and languish in 15th position in the league, with murmurings from some supporters regarding Arteta’s capabilities in the top job.
And Keown believes Elneny has made a strong claim for a place in the team to face Burnley
Captain Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang has looked well off the pace from the striker that fired Arsenal to the FA Cup last season, and Nketiah’s opener makes the youngster the club’s top scorer so far this season.
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‘He deserves it with his opportunism for the goal,’ Keown continued. ‘Nketiah comes onto it in a flash and puts it away. His fifth goal of the season and you see there that is the instinct of a striker.’
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