“We wasted a whole lot of money to sign him, but not anymore it’s time to release him and let him go”- Arsenal Sporting Director Edu Gasper has told Mikel Arteta to bin £35M Arsenal star who’s breaking the wage structure at the club

 

“We wasted a whole lot of money to sign him, but not anymore it’s time to release him and let him go”- Arsenal Sporting Director Edu Gasper has told Mikel Arteta to bin £35M Arsenal star who’s breaking the wage structure at the club

“We wasted a whole lot of money to sign him, but not anymore; it’s time to release him and let him go,” said Arsenal Sporting Director Edu Gasper, instructing Mikel Arteta to offload the £35M star disrupting the club’s wage structure.

### Arsenal’s Forgotten Man: Time for Mohamed Elneny to Move On?

Arsenal are in excellent form in the Premier League. Despite not winning the title, the future looks promising with the current squad set to compete for years to come. This turnaround has been led by Mikel Arteta and Edu Gasper, who have rebuilt the team from the disappointment of the Unai Emery era through strategic transfers and nurturing young talent.

One standout from Arsenal’s youth academy, Hale End, is Bukayo Saka, one of the club’s most valuable players. Before the arrival of stars like William Saliba, Martin Ødegaard, and Declan Rice, Emile Smith Rowe was electrifying the pitch alongside Saka.

### Emile Smith Rowe’s Journey at Arsenal

Emile Smith Rowe debuted for Arsenal in September 2018 in a UEFA Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava. Initially, his appearances were limited, with only 12 games in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons. However, he broke through during the second half of Mikel Arteta’s first full season in charge, 2020/21.

Smith Rowe made an immediate impact, appearing 33 times in all competitions that season, scoring four goals, and providing seven assists. He was named Arsenal’s Supporters’ Player of the Year in 2021. The following season, he improved further, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists in just 37 appearances. Arteta described him as a “key player” for the team.

However, injuries have limited Smith Rowe to just 552 minutes of football in 30 games since the start of last season. Despite these setbacks, he remains a promising talent and could play a crucial role in Arsenal’s future. His current salary of £40,000 per week seems modest compared to another player who rarely features for the team.

### The Cost of Keeping Mohamed Elneny

Mohamed Elneny, while popular among fans for his dedication, has seen limited action on the pitch. Signed from FC Basel for around £5 million in January 2016, Elneny has made 161 appearances, totaling approximately 9,520 minutes of competitive football.

Initially earning £30,000 per week, Elneny spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Turkish club Beşiktaş, who covered his wages. Upon his return to Arsenal, his salary increased to £50,000 per week, and after a contract extension in February 2023, it rose to £55,000 per week. By the end of this season, Elneny will have earned about £15.8 million in wages from Arsenal, in addition to the £5 million transfer fee, bringing the total cost to the club to £20.8 million. This equates to roughly £2,184 per minute or £129,000 per game.

### The Decision Ahead

While Elneny’s commitment is commendable, his limited contributions raise questions about his role in the squad. It’s especially perplexing that he earns £15,000 more per week than Smith Rowe, who has the potential to be a significant player for Arsenal.

Given Arsenal’s ambitions, it might be time to reassess Elneny’s place in the squad. Moving on from the 31-year-old could free up resources to invest in players who will contribute more regularly. As Arsenal look to the future, tough decisions like these will be crucial in maintaining their upward momentum.