Sutton vs Arsenal: Mohamed Elneny replaced after first-half injury
Mohamed Elneny added to Arsene Wenger's midfield injury problems after the Arsenal midfielder was replaced midway through Monday night's FA Cup tie against Sutton United.
Elneny started alongside Granit Xhaka in midfield as Wenger fielded a strong starting XI for the FA Cup fifth-round tie against non-league Sutton, but the Egypt international picked up an injury problem in the first half.
The 24-year-old needed treatment 31 minutes into the game after turning sharply on Sutton's artificial 3G pitch. Elneny was fit enough to finish the first half as Arsenal went in 1-0 ahead, but he did not return after the break as Wenger sent Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on in his place.
The substitution may well have been a precautionary one by Wenger with Arsenal facing a tough fixture list as they fight for trophies on three fronts, but any injury setback for Elneny comes at a bad time with Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey both out.
Elneny's participation at the African Cup of Nations put pressure on a midfield that was without Xhaka due to the Swiss international's four-game ban in January, with Wenger struggling to boast a fully-fit midfield for long stretches of the 2016-17 campaign.
More midfield injury conerns for Arsenal as Elneny departs vs SuttonArsenalMohamed ElnenySutton UnitedFA CupPremier LeagueLondon footballArsenal injury news: Mohamed Elneny replaced after first-half injury vs SuttonIn Pictures | Sutton United vs Arsenal | 20/02/2017
In Pictures | Sutton United vs Arsenal | 20/02/2017
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