The 4-0 victory against Watford was a distraction. Yes, it highlighted Alex Iwobi’s attacking potential, the return to form for Alexis Sanchez, and the continued preference of the more mobile, muscular Danny Welbeck over Olivier Giroud as Arsene Wenger’s front line delivered a sweet scoreline. The focus really should be on at the centre as Arsenal after what appears to aeons, controlled midfield, setting the game’s tempo and pace.

This match announced the arrival of Mohamed Elneny, the new January recruit, who always seemed available to make or receive a pass. He was Arsenal’s conduit establishing a Premier League record for most completed passes.

Elneny seems to have the positional discipline, the requisite responsibility, the passing range and accuracy, and more importantly the desire to establish a midfield presence, something that was missing with a roving Aaron Ramsey, a reactive Mathieu Flamini, and an inert Mikel Arteta. Frances Coquelin is a much more successful tackler and interceptor but Elneny seems to be a more astute reader of the game and arrives in time to disrupt an attack or to set up a passing sequences featuring in nine largest pass combinations. In fact, the Egyptian’s favourite target was Arsenal’s creator in chief, Mesut Oezil connecting 36 times. Elneny also made himself available to Sanchez (22) and Bellerin (21) as well as his midfield partner, Coquelin (18) and out of the backfield with Gabriel (17).

There in itself is a nice snapshot of the division of labour, Elneny setting the tempo and the via-points while Coquelin provided the muscular heft of tackles (4), take ons (2), and interceptions (4).

Very few of Elneny’s passes went astray (96% accuracy), a demonstration of tight midfield control with a premium on careful, calculated distribution. He also rarely passed back (21) with a large number of forward passes (47) in the attacking third. Obviously, a forward thinking midfielder who likes to keep the attack ticking. Elneny’s heatmap shows just how much ground he covered – from the backfield to well beyond the half line towards the right linking on attack with Oezil, Sanchez, and Bellerin. With his 140 touches leading the side, Elneny was visibly able to speed up and slow down Arsenal at their choosing – so crucial to drawing Watford out of position or to frustrate attempts at a come back. Arsenal’s achilles heel is not closing out games comfortably leaving them vulnerable to late goals. A determined opponent usually finds gaping holes in midfield. Against Watford, a prolonged bout of sterile domination killed off the match. Elneny with Coquelin giving the midfield command and control.

Wenger will get back Aaron Ramsey this weekend and Santi Cazorla is due end of the month, and at some point both will get a run out but at present the Elneny- Coquelin – Oezil midfield is providing Arsenal a healthy balance between attack as well as defence.