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Wenger confirms Arsenal midfielder will miss at least 4 games

By mac14 on December 30, 2016

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny will link-up with the Egypt squad on January 2nd ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Elneny has been included in the Egypt squad for the competition in Gabon where the Pharaohs will take on Mali, Uganda and Ghana in the group stages.

Wenger has now confirmed that the 24-year-old will be available to take on Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day but will then leave to link-up with his international team mates in Egypt.

The boss told Arsenal.com:

“He’s going to the Africa Cup of Nations on January 2,”

“He will be in the squad against Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day but after he will leave us to play for Egypt.”

Sometimes clubs can negotiate the late release of a player for the AFCON so there were hopes that Elneny may be allowed to stay with Arsenal and be available for the trip to Bournemouth on January 3rd.

Given that Egypt don’t play their first group stage game against Mali until the 17th, it shouldn’t have been a problem for him to stay an extra day, but unfortunately we haven’t been able to agree anything with Egypt so Elneny must leave on the 2nd.

The seven-times winners will take on Uganda on January 21st before concluding their group games against Ghana on the 25th meaning Elneny will miss at least four games against Bournemouth, Preston, Swansea City and Burnley.

Should Egypt make it all the way to the final on February 5th, then he’ll also miss further matches against Watford and Chelsea as well as a potential FA Cup fourth round tie should we progress past Preston.