ohamed Elneny: How will the Basel midfielder fit in at Arsenal?
Arsenal are close to sealing the signing of central midfielder Mohamed Elneny from Swiss side Basel, according to Sky sources.
The Gunners are understood to have agreed a £7m fee for the Egypt international as Arsene Wenger looks to boost his side's Premier League title prospects in the second half of the campaign.
But how will Elneny fit into Wenger's XI? And what kind of role could he play? We take a look...
Midfield anchorman?
The biggest hole in Arsenal's squad is in defensive midfield, where they are short on back-up for the injured Francis Coquelin, who is still weeks away from match fitness. Mikel Arteta's calf problem means Mathieu Flamini is currently filling in, but both players' contracts are set to expire at the end of the season and they are not viewed as long-term solutions.
Elneny has won three Swiss Super League titles since joining Basel in 2013
Arsenal supporters will be hoping Elneny can provide an upgrade on Flamini and Arteta, and some of his attributes are certainly well suited to the role. For a start, Elneny possesses the same kind of work-rate and dynamism as Coquelin.
These are key requirements in Arsenal's midfield, where the elected anchorman is often required to cover the defence single-handedly as the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil surge forward. Arteta's sluggishness was exposed in heavy defeats to Liverpool and Chelsea in the 2013/14 campaign, but Coquelin has shored things up since then - and Wenger will expect Elneny to offer the same kind of security.
Arsenal are expected to be without Francis Coquelin until March
At 5ft 11in, Elneny is not a towering figure in the Patrick Vieira mould, but, like Coquelin, is physically strong and makes up for his modest stature with plenty of desire and determination. Elneny is explosive and quick off the mark, and is a combative ball-winner too, snapping into tackles and intercepting at a high rate.
Wenger will have also noted Elneny's technical strengths and his quality in possession. The 23-year-old has developed a fine passing range over the last two seasons with Basel, and he enjoys launching attacks from deep, whether it be by charging forward with the ball at his feet, exchanging short passes with midfield partners, or spraying long balls towards the forwards.
Box-to-box?
While Elneny looks suited to the Coquelin role in some respects, he possesses other attributes that are not such a natural fit. In terms of playing style, for example, he is far more adventurous than the conservative Coquelin, who rarely strays too close to the opposition's penalty box.
The simplest statistic to highlight the fact is that Elneny has scored six times for Basel this season, while Coquelin has not found the net once in his last 45 appearances for Arsenal.
Elneny's natural playing style is more similar to Aaron Ramsey than Francis Coquelin
Indeed, shooting from distance is one of Elneny's biggest strengths. The Egyptian loves to roam forward and has developed a penchant for spectacular goals. His average of 1.8 shots per game in five Europa League appearances this season bears stark contrast to Coquelin's average of 0.3 shots per Premier League game over the last year.
So while Elneny has Coquelin's steeliness and determination, there is not much evidence to suggest he currently has the same level of tactical discipline. The role he plays at Basel is not as restricted as Coquelin's, and his all-round abilities might make him more naturally suited to the box-to-box role fulfilled by Ramsey.
Wenger's vision?
With Santi Cazorla, Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky already on his books, Wenger may attempt to convert Elneny in the same way as he did with Coquelin. The Frenchman saw himself as a box-to-box midfielder in his younger days, but back in May Wenger revealed how he encouraged him to play to his strengths.
Francis Coquelin pictured alongside Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
"I explained to him that what I liked most was his ball-winning potential rather than his play-making potential, so I sent him out on loan to France for experience," Wenger said of Coquelin.
"He played without being convincing in the box-to-box role. But since [winning his place at Arsenal], he has not moved out of the team because he sticks to what he is strong at - winning the ball and using it well."
The result is that Coquelin has become a vital player for the Gunners, and Elneny might also be required to curb some of his attacking instincts.
Elneny in action against Liverpool during a Champions League clash in 2014
The fact he is not an instant, like-for-like replacement for Coquelin may be a concern to some supporters, especially given their current injury problems.
But while Elneny will need to adapt quickly if he is thrown straight into the action, Wenger has a long history of successfully moulding players to fit different roles, starting with Thierry Henry's conversion from left winger to striker.
Wenger evidently sees potential and adaptability in Elneny. His development over the course of a few seasons at Basel has been impressive, and having turned 23 in July, Arsenal will be looking for more of the same in north London.
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