Arsene Wenger: Aaron Ramsey’s Arsenal replacement is ready
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger talks up January signing Mohamed Elneny
Arsene Wenger has backed Mohamed Elneny to fill the void left by injured Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
The Wales international had to come off within 16 minutes of his introduction in Tuesday night’s 4-0 victory over Hull City in their FA Cup fifth-round replay at KC Stadium.
Elneny has enjoyed a run of games in the Arsenal first-team in recent weeks and the Eygpt international started his first north London derby last weekend.
Arsenal signed the 23-year-old in a £9.1m deal from Swiss champions Basel in the January transfer window amid the continued absence of Santi Cazorla, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky.
Speaking at his pre-match media conference at London Colney on Friday ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final against Watford, Wenger underlined his faith in the January signing to take over Ramsey’s mantle.
“He looks like he is ready to play,” Wenger said.
Wenger added that Mathieu Flamini and Francis Coquelin will also provide Arsenal with options in midfield.
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“We have Flamini and Coquelin who can cope as well,” Wenger added.
