Arsenal star Mohamed Elneny vows to return to first club Al Mokawloon when Gunners contract runs out

Mohamed Elneny has vowed to rejoin Egyptian club Al Mokawloon when he leaves Arsenal.

The midfielder, 29, joined the Gunners from Basel in a £7million deal six years ago.

Elneny has since made 147 senior appearances and scored five goals.

The 91-cap international first made his name with Al Mokawloon, alongside Liverpool star Mo Salah, before the pair left for Swiss outfit Basel.

Elneny visited the Cairo club at the weekend for a ceremony held in his honour.

And president Mohsen Salah insisted the defensive midfielder has promised to end his career with the Mountain Wolves.

Salah said: "Players who represented Al Mokawloon are always loyal. It is something you learn here.

"We are proud of Elneny and Salah, who started their careers here.

"Elneny's visit made us really happy, and it was a good chance for us to give him honorary lifetime membership.

"What made us even happier is that Elneny promised us that he will come back to end his career here with Al Mokawloon."

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The midfielder was poised to become a free agent when his deal at the Emirates expired in June.

But the Gunners tied down Elneny to a new one-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.

He initially struggled under Mikel Arteta as well when the Spaniard replaced Emery.

Then Elneny has enjoyed a recent resurgence and has now emerged as a key member of the Gunners squad.

And after that he could yet opt for an emotional return to the club he left in 2013 to make a career in Europe.