Mohamed Elneny to Arsenal: Arsene Wenger admits deal 'complicated' and may not happen until next week

Egyptian midfielder had been expected to arrive in coming days

(PA)

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that the deal to bring in midfielder Mohamed Elneny may not happen until next week.

The Basel midfielder, 23, has been close to a move to north London all week, with some predicting a deal would be in place in time for him to make his debut in the FA Cup against Sunderland.

Basel admitted that he would leave the club "in the coming days" on Tuesday, while a team-mate of Elneny's wished him well at Arsenal on social media.

But the French boss, speaking at a press conference on Friday morning, admitted that it could take a couple more days before the Egyptian is unveiled.

"It's complicated a little bit," he said. "We work hard on it and I hope in the next two or three days we get to the end of it."

Elneny will provide much needed cover in midfiel, where the Gunners have a number of injuries.

Wenger was also asked to speak about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has been linked with a move to Chelsea in the gossip coloumns.

When asked if the news was "rubbish", Wenger answered "yes".