Mohamed Elneny Officially Completes Arsenal Transfer from Basel

Arsenal have secured the signing of Basel midfielder Mohamed Elneny, making him their first arrival in the 2016 January transfer window.

Continue for updates.

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Elneny Completes Gunners Move

Thursday, Jan. 14

Arsenal tweeted confirmation of the hard-working star's capture.

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Latest on Elneny Transfer

Wednesday, Jan. 13

Ed Aarons of the Guardian reported Elneny is "now in England ahead of his move to Arsenal."

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Wenger Comments on Ongoing Saga

Monday, Jan. 11

"We are positive that this week it can happen. There are a lot of work permit problems and special paperwork on his visa," Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard.

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Details of Elneny Deal Revealed

Saturday, Jan. 9

"The Basel midfielder, 23, has agreed a four-and-a-half year deal and passed a medical with the Gunners," reported Jack Wilson of the Daily Star. "But he failed to meet work permit regulations due to Egypt falling out of the top 50 in FIFA's rankings.

"The Gunners lodged an appeal which was successful but finalising the work permit is taking longer than expected," added Wilson.

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Elneny's Qualities Required by Arsenal Midfield

Elneny is the first senior outfield player to sign for the club since Gabriel Paulista, who was purchased from Villarreal in last January's transfer window.

He will give the Gunners some much-needed steel in central midfield. Francis Coquelin has been missed since he was sidelined through injury, and with Santi Cazorla also out of action, Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini have been left to deputise in the middle of the park.

Elneny already has 39 caps for the Egypt national team, but Wenger will feel he's still young enough to mould and shape to his specifications, considering the player is still just 23 years of age.

Coquelin did a fine job in defensive midfield for Arsenal over the past year before his injury, and Elneny will hopefully plug a substantial void in Wenger's lineup.