Former Gunner returns to train at Arsenal’s London Colney centre | OneFootball

Mohamed Elneny has thanked Arsenal for allowing him to use their facilities and giving him a warm welcome back over the summer.

Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images

Former Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny has returned to the club for some individual work at his old training ground this week, confirming as much on social media.

“Grateful to Arsenal for opening their doors and allowing me to use all the facilities at the training ground that holds my memories,” Elneny wrote on Twitter.

“Once part of the family, always part of the family. Thank you for the warm welcome back.”

Photo via Arsenal.com

As well as sharing videos working in the gym, Elneny also posted a couple out on the grass at London Colney, running on the pitches he’s trained on so many times before.

Elneny spent eight-and-a-half years playing for Arsenal, only ultimately departing on the conclusion of his final contract with the club.

Arsenal have often opened their doors to former players over the years, and that’s a tradition that’s continued under Mikel Arteta’s management of the team.

Photo via Al Jazira Club on Twitter

Elneny spent the 2024/25 campaign with UAE Pro League club Al Jazira, making 33 appearances in all competitions. The team finished seventh in the league, but they did win the UAE League Cup, and the 32-year-old captained the side on multiple occasions along the way.

Arsenal fans might be interested to learn that Elneny hasn’t always been playing in midfield for his new side, making almost half of his appearances at centre-back.

The position isn’t entirely new to the former Gunner, having operated as a central defender in a back three under Arsene Wenger on multiple occasions. But never close to as often as in the last few months.