Antoine Semenyo to Man City transfer impact on Arsenal clear as unexpected boost explained

Antoine Semenyo is expected to join Manchester City from Bournemouth in January with Arsenal to be impacted by the transfer

The suggestion that Antoine Semenyo would dominate January transfer rumours looks to have already been squashed. Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been linked, but it is the latter that has emerged as his preference.

After signing a new contract - that included a £65million release clause - and making a superb start to the season, a January move has appeared inevitable for some time. That has been furthered by Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola being unaware of what may happen next month.

He said: "At the end, in the situation, myself as a coach, I don’t control. When you sign a contract, I understand both parties are happy when you sign it.

"But me as a coach, I can only tell you I hope we don’t lose him, because he is very important for us. But I don’t know what is going to happen."

Though Arsenal were never really in the race for his signature, there is still quite the impact on Mikel Arteta's side and some of that could be felt as early as next week. With all of that being said, football.london has taken a look at how the Gunners will be impacted by Semenyo to City.

Unexpected Arsenal boost

With Semenyo's release clause needing to be activated early into January, it is entirely plausible that he becomes a Man City player within the first few days of the month.

If that does happen, Arsenal could actually benefit as they are due to face Bournemouth on Saturday, January 3. With Semenyo making his decision a week before the trading period opens, it seems likely most of the formalities will be resolved swiftly.

Even if he has not completed a move to City by that point, it is more than likely he would be omitted from the squad if the switch is very nearly finalised. That was the case for Arsenal and Eberechi Eze before his move from Crystal Palace.

Man City get stronger

While Semenyo's decision could help Arsenal for 90 minutes, it is likely to damage them for up to 19 games. The Gunners remain favourites for the title, but that is not guaranteed to remain the case if City continue their recent form with Semenyo adding serious fire power.

Individual moments of quality from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden have arguably carried City so far, but Semenyo joining is likely to take some of the goal-scoring pressure off their shoulders.

City arguably have only three natural wingers in Savinho, Oscar Bobb and Jeremy Doku. Phil Foden, Rayan Cherki and Bernardo Silva have all filled in out wide, but Semenyo arriving should allow them to take up more freer creative roles in central areas.

Arsenal transfer blow

Though it will not feel like much of a blow now, losing the chance to Semenyo could be seen as such in the summer. The former Bristol City star is capable of playing on both wings but favours the left, with that as the one position Arsenal could do with upgrading.

Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli have performed well this season but Semenyo being part of the front three would take Arsenal to the next level. As a boyhood Arsenal supporter, it is more than likely he would have opted for a move to Emirates Stadium over anywhere else.

Semenyo could have been Arsenal's marquee signing for the summer, but they could now look elsewhere. However, just based on recent trends, it is possible that the Gunners could not have afforded him having spent big on transfer fees last summer.