LONDON: Mohamed Elneny is the living, breathing, smiling proof that observing Ramadan can be compatible with the life of a Premier League footballer. Despite operating in the most physically demanding league in the world, Arsenal’s longest-serving player is fasting through the holy month as he always does. On one level the two are incompatible — you would not run a Formula One car on an empty fuel tank — but Elneny would have it no other way. Balancing faith with football works for him, even if it leaves his teammates perplexed at times.
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A damaging Abu Dhabi Clasico continued Hernan Crespo’s mixed start at Al-Ain, leaders Al-Wasl weathered a stringent title test and spiralling Emirates Club’s misery extended in ADNOC Pro League’s matchweek 11. Saturday’s finale pitted “the Boss” against bitter-rivals Al-Wahda, who prevailed 2-0 on enemy territory despite gaining just 26-per-cent possession courtesy of ruthless strikes by on-song Syria forward Omar Khrbin and Russia winger Zelimkhan Bakaev. A sublime free-kick and selfless assist earlier in the evening from outstanding summer recruit Nicolas Gimenez edged 10-man Wasl past dogged Ittihad Kalba 2-1, in a fiery contest. Al-Jazira, meanwhile, began life minus the dismissed…