Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger reveals plans to play Mohamed Elneny in defence next season
Versatile Egypt international played a bit-part role last term but could be in for more game time this time around
MOHAMED ELNENY could play a bigger role at Arsenal next season - at centre-back.
Elneny started just eight of his 14 Premier League appearances last campaign.
The versatile Egypt international has been moved out of his usual central midfield role in pre-season to slot in for the injured Gabriel and absent Shkodran Mustafi in defence.
Arsene Wenger looks set to use the same three-at-the-back formation which saw his Arsenal side flourish late last term and win the FA Cup.
SunSport reported the Gunners are willing to offload Elneny, 25, but the player wants to stay in London.
Wenger said: "Overall, I played players like [Mohamed] Elneny in a back three and he has coped very well.
"[Ainsley] Maitland-Niles sometimes played at centre back as well, even in the big games against Chelsea.
"You see their strengths and their weaknesses, and you learn a lot about your players and your combinations too.
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"The advantage we have is that we have a good stability in our squad, so I already know who I can combine with who, more or less.
"Elneny is a player who has a fantastic mentality and attitude, and his main target is to help the team. When he plays there, of course he does extremely well.
"I always felt that a good central midfielder can be a good centre back. With the fact of course that when you’re playing in the back four you have to be decisive in the challenges, you have a bit more flexibility in the middle of a back three. He can do that."
Wenger is also willing to throw his youngsters in at this weekend's Emirates Cup after Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock impressed in Arsenal's pre-season tour of China.
The Frenchman said: "This time, I believe that you will see Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock.
"Maybe Cohen Bramall as well. We also had Eddie Nketiah, who is doing very well, Donyell Malen, who is doing very well, on tour but there is not necessarily room for them to play. They have all shown interesting qualities on the tour."
