Arsenal’s longest-serving player Mohamed Elneny is one of 22 players that will be leaving the club as free agents.
The Gunners have announced their released list ahead of next season, which has seen many fan favourites depart the Emirates.
In a statement released on Monday morning, the north Londoners have addressed which of their men’s, women’s and academy scholars will not be kept on.
And this includes Egypt international Elneny, who has spent over eight years at Arsenal following his £5million move from Basel in January 2016.
During his spell at the club, he has played in 161 games in all competitions, where he has been used predominantly off the bench.
An FA Cup winner, Elneny also started in the 2017 and 2020 Community Shield victories, with a loan spell at Besiktas sandwiched inbetween.
Elneny said: “It’s meant a lot to me being here for so long, it was the best eight years of my life. I love this club so much, I love the fans, I love everything about Arsenal.
“It breaks my heart – that’s why I refused to take to the field [on the lap of honour] because I was so full of emotion. But that’s life, my time here has come to an end and I’m very proud of what I’ve done for this club.
“I love these fans and I gave everything that I had. I appreciate everything they did for me, in the good moments and the bad, and they’re always going to be in my heart forever.”
Joining him out the door is fellow first-team star Cedric Soares, who has been at the club since January 2020 having joined on an initial loan from Southampton.
A goalscorer on his debut, his highlight from his 64 appearances will undoubtedly be his successful strike in the 2020 Community Shield penalty shootout win over Liverpool.
And women’s legend Vivianne Miedema is one of three female stars leaving Arsenal alongside goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo and Kaylan Marckese.
Dutch forward Miedema established herself as one of the top strikers in England across her seven-year stay – scoring 124 goals in 166 games.
She leaves the club having won the Women’s Super League, along with three League Cup trophies.
Other notable players departing Arsenal include goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Wrexham.
The 22-year-old, who never played a senior game for the Gunners, made 40 appearances for the Welsh outfit to help them achieve promotion to League One.
Their Hollywood co-owner Rob McElhenney waxed lyrical over his impact at the Racecourse, with the youngster expertly filling the void left by Ben Foster.
Elsewhere, fellow highly-rated youngsters Omari Benjamin, Tyreece John-Jules and Kido Taylor-Hart have failed to be offered a contract extension.
Luis Brown, Catalin Cirjan, Noah Cooper, Henry Davies, Ovie Ejeheri, Taylor Foran, Hubert Graczyk, James Hillson, Henry Jeffcott, Alex Kirk, James Lannin-Sweet and Kamarni Ryan complete the departures.
Though Arsenal have revealed that they are in discussion with Amario Cozier-Duberry, Karl Hein and Reuell Walters at extending their stays beyond June 30.
News Summary:
- ‘It breaks my heart’ – Mohamed Elneny among 22 players to leave Arsenal on free transfers as overhaul begins
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.