Mohamed Elneny is still adapting to life in the Premier League after a sensational career with FC Basel in the Swiss Super League. But amidst rumours that the Egyptian midfielder has been shooting considerably less with Arsenal than he did in Switzerland, Elneny said Arsene Wenger had a role in changing the way he plays.
In an interview with the Arsenal Magazine [per the Metro], Elneny revealed that Wenger has taught him to be more ‘intelligent’ with the way he shoots and to be ‘more of a team player’ as opposed to using the instincts that served him so well for club and country.
‘I used to shoot a lot when I was at Basel but sometimes that doesn’t suit our style here,’ Elneny said.
‘[Wenger] taught me to be more of a team player and to be intelligent in terms of when I shoot. I also paid attention to my teammates and took their advice. That has helped me to improve my performances already’.
The story no doubt comes as a frustrating tidbit for Arsenal fans who have already heavily criticized Wenger for not taking shots from distance.
Elneny recorded his first goal for the Gunners in the club’s 3-1 loss to Barcelona at Camp Nou – the only goal any Arsenal player would score against the La Liga giants. He has earned seven starts in eight Premier League appearances since making the January move.
Arsenal acquired Elneny in a £7.4 million transfer move from FC Basel this past winter – the second-most expensive purchase the Gunners made this season next to the £10 million deal for goalkeeper Petr Cech.
The 23-year-old midfielder was a key figure in several of Basel’s three straight Swiss Super League titles and scored two goals for the Swiss club in the Champions League earlier this year.
Follow Jonathan Machlin on Twitter @jtmlovessports
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