FORMER Arsenal midfielder Dani Ceballos has defended Mohamed Elneny’s cameo appearance against West Ham.
The Egyptian was targeted by fans on social media after he was subbed on to the pitch with only seconds left to play.
Elneny was filmed from the stands, which shows him entering the pitch in place of Thomas Partey.
In the video, the midfielder runs onto the pitch to take up his position in the midfield and start marking Hammers midfielder Pablo Fornals.
Seconds later, the referee blows for full time and some fans were quick to poke fun at the footballer.
One tweeted: “Why is he still at this club…its evident [Mikel] Arteta will not play him and will embarrass him like this every match.”
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A second wrote: “Getting that appearance bonus.”
A third added: “That appearance bonus gonna hit differently at the end of the month.”
But Ceballos was not having any of it as he praised Elneny’s professionalism.
He tweeted: “Incredible professional, incredible teammate.
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“More players like that in football. A luxury player for the Arsenal.”
Ceballos spent two years between 2019 and 2021 at the Emirates on loan from his current club Real Madrid.
The Gunners won the London derby as they came from behind to win thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
