Egyptian Midfielder Isolates After Asymptomatic Case
Arsenal’s Mohamed Elneny has entered isolation in Cairo following a positive COVID-19 test during international duty with Egypt. The 28-year-old midfielder, who showed no symptoms, was diagnosed upon arrival in Togo ahead of Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier this week. Krikya sources confirm the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has implemented strict medical protocols, with Arsenal maintaining close contact regarding the player’s condition.
Domino Effect on Premier League and AFCON Qualifiers
This marks the second COVID-19 case among Egypt’s Premier League stars within days, following Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah’s positive test. Football analyst James Richardson notes: “The timing couldn’t be worse—Elneny was hitting his stride after that dominant performance at Old Trafford.” His absence could disrupt:
- Arsenal’s midfield rotation for upcoming Europa League fixtures
- Egypt’s critical AFCON qualification campaign
- Contract negotiations (his current deal expires in 2022)
Tactical Implications for Arteta’s Arsenal
Elneny‘s resurgence had added steel to Arsenal’s midfield, particularly in the 1-0 victory over Manchester United where he:
- Completed 92% of passes
- Made 3 key interceptions
- Played the full 90 minutes
“His positional discipline allows Partey to push forward,” observes Krikya contributor and former Ghana international Laryea Kingston. “Without him, Arsenal may revert to a double pivot with Xhaka and Ceballos.”
Parallel Crisis: Aubameyang’s Travel Ordeal
In a separate incident highlighting African football’s logistical challenges, Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Gabon’s squad endured an airport floor sleepover in Banjul due to administrative issues. The striker’s viral tweet (“Nice job CAF, it’s as if we were back in the 1990s”) underscores growing concerns about Confederation of African Football (CAF) protocols.
What’s Next for Elneny and Arsenal?
While Elneny’s asymptomatic status is encouraging, Krikya medical consultant Dr. Sarah Jenkins warns: “Premier League return-to-play protocols typically require 10-14 days isolation plus cardiac screening.” This could rule him out of:
- Arsenal vs Leeds (November 22)
- Molde vs Arsenal (Europa League, November 26)
- Potential Egypt fixtures
With the January transfer window approaching, this interruption may influence Arsenal’s decision on whether to extend the midfielder’s contract. As Krikya continues tracking this developing story, one thing is clear—international football’s COVID-19 challenges are far from over.
