AFCON Qualifiers: Egyptian FA confirms Arsenal's Mo Elneny has tested positive for coronavirus

The Egyptian Football Association has confirmed that Arsenal’s Mohamed El Neny has contracted Covid-19 while on an international assignment with his country.

The 28-year-old Arsenal man is asymptomatic and becomes the second Egyptian player to test positive within the space of three days after Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah also tested positive for the virus on Friday.

• Egyptian FA confirms Mohammed Salah has tested positive for coronavirus

El Neny’s was diagnosed with the virus on arrival in Togo ahead of Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Tuesday.

It comes on the same day the Premier League announced 16 players returned positive coronavirus test results out of 1,207 players and club staff who were tested between Monday, 9 November and Sunday, 15 November.

Those individuals will all now self-isolate for 10 days.

Having played all 90 minutes for his country in their win over Togo on Saturday, the Egyptian FA have confirmed that he had returned three negative test results since resuming camp.

El Neny is fast becoming a mainstay in Arsenal’s starting eleven this season after spending last season out on loan.

He is back in Cairo for further testing but could be ruled out of Arsenal’s Premier League fixture at Elland Road against Leeds United.