At the start of the January transfer window, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger insisted that he would spend some money on new recruits in order to maintain their title push and ultimately lift the Premier League trophy for the first time in 12 years.

This had the Gunners faithful getting more excited than a kid at Christmas. However, the ‘spending spree’ from Wenger surprised many. Many where expecting a mega deal to clinch the signing of the likes of Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain and Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema. What the Arsenal got was the £7m singing of Mohamed Elneny.

Brought in from Swiss outfit FC Basel, the Egypt international was brought in to solve the defensive midfield crisis at the Emirates Stadium left since the legendary Patrick Vieira departed to Inter Milan in 2005. However, Wenger immediately played down the fact Elneny would make an instant impact by insisting he is not ready for the Premier League just yet. A rather unusual statement to make when you first sign a player who is well known for his excellent defensive capabilities. Despite starting just twice since the start of January, Elneny was given the chance to shine in the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. Question marks were raised, but Elneny has put any concerns to bed as he has controlled the centre of the park for the majority of the game. Is this Arsenal’s saviour?nd eye for goal from range.