Soccer-Arsenal confirm signing of Basel midfielder Elneny

Jan 14 (Reuters) - Midfielder Mohamed Elneny has joined Arsenal from Swiss champions FC Basel and could make his debut against Stoke City on Sunday, Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has said. With midfield trio Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Francis Coquelin out injured, the 23-year-old Egyptian is a welcome addition to Wenger's squad and will provide some much-needed defensive cover. "He has joined us and we will see if he can qualify for Sunday," Wenger told the BBC after Wednesday's 3-3 league draw with Liverpool at Anfield. Elneny is eligible to play in the Champions League and cost Arsenal an initial 5 million pounds ($7.2 million), according to reports in the British media. ($1 = 0.6941 pounds) (Reporting by Simon Jennings in Bengaluru)