Arsene Wenger’s only signing left at Arsenal was told to leave Emirates Stadium years ago

It's hard to believe Mohamed Elneny has survived the revolving door of Arsenal players and three different managers at the club.

The Egyptian has evaded the swinging axe for some time to perform under Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery and the man currently in charge, Mikel Arteta. And the journey under Emery, especially, was an uphill battle for the former Basel standout, reported the Daily Star.

During Emery's 18 months at the helm in north London, opportunities for Elneny were few and far between as the manager even advised the midfielder to pursue better opportunities elsewhere. It was a sentiment he shared publicly in the summer of 2019 when defender Shkodran Mustafi - who eventually left Arsenal in 2021 - was also encouraged to leave.

Reflecting on their tenure at the time, Emery said: "Last year with Mustafi and Mo, when they didn't play they weren't happy. I spoke with them a lot of times last year and in pre-season, and I think it is positive for them to leave and sign for another team where they can be protagonists, be happy and continue their careers.

"They are very big players but for one circumstance or another, they are going to have fewer chances to show their capacity or to be happy with us and the minutes they play in matches. But they know the situation and really, really I am wishing the best for them and I think now the best for them is to be protagonists in another team, to sign and get another challenge with another team."

Reflecting on those remarks half a decade on, it's quite astounding Elneny remains with the Gunners despite being so clearly written off by a previous manager. However, his stint at the Emirates will end in June as he gears up for his departure with the season now over.

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"Gooners, I'm here today to send you a message, to say goodbye and thank you for everything you've done for me," Elneny shared recently. "The love, the support and the kindness. I'm really going to miss you so much and you'll be in my heart forever.

"I wanted to say how much I love you and how much you mean to me. I will never forget the way you supported me. I'm going to see you on Sunday at the Emirates to say goodbye face to face, see you then."

His story took a turn under Arteta's reign. The current Arsenal boss has often voiced his respect for the 31-year-old Elneny, who was briefly a team-mate of his.

Arteta, 42, didn't hold back in his commendation for Elneny in 2022 when he gushed: "I have always said that for me he's one of the most important players in the squad. For what he does when you give him the chance to play and for the things that he does when he doesn't play. He's a phenomenal person and a great footballer that sometimes doesn't get the credit he deserves."

The Spaniard is among the most qualified to assess the midfielder out of himself, Emery, and Wenger given he's worked both alongside and above the player.

However, Arsenal icon Wenger once shared a similar view. One year after his Arsenal managerial exit in 2018, he characterised Elneny as a "modern-day midfielder" equipped with "great technique."

Departing the Emirates on a free next month, Elneny leaves behind a legacy of six goals in 161 appearances for the club. His trophy cabinet boasts an FA Cup and two Community Shield triumphs, along with runner-up finishes in both the Europa League and Carabao Cup.