2 days ago
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Arsenal are expected to analyse their left-wing roster at the end of the season when they could potentially delve into the transfer market to freshen up Mikel Arteta's forward line
There is undoubtedly a world where somehow, Antoine Semenyo does not join Manchester City and instead joins Arsenal.
Problematically, however, he is now seemingly just days away from sealing his January switch to the Etihad Stadium as Andoni Iraola fears Wednesday - versus Tottenham - will be his final appearance for the Cherries.
Make no mistake, Arsenal are admirers of the player and had the stars aligned, they would have jostled Premier League title rivals City for his signature.
The sticking point is that last summer, Mikel Arteta wanted to keep Leandro Trossard and the club also decided to stick with Gabriel Martinelli.
Had either player been sold, there's a genuine chance Arsenal would have moved on Semenyo, who is a self-confessed boyhood Gunners supporter.
If the unthinkable happens and Semenyo somehow does not join City this month, you can count on Arsenal entering the fray at the end of the season.
Unfortunately, that does not appear likely though meaning the landscape will look notably different in the summer, when other options will be on the table.
According to French reports, Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola is one big-name starlet that might be in the shop window.
The 23-year-old is a slick dribbler and mustered 42 goal involvements (21 goals, 21 assists) in all competitions last season on the road to Champions League and Ligue 1 glory.
That said, he has found it tough to keep Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at bay at the Parc des Princes and there is undoubtedly a market for Barcola in the Premier League.
There were whispers Liverpool were interested in a deal late last summer but it later proved that there was no substance in those rumours.
If Barcola was available at the end of the campaign, he should at least be considered by Arsenal even if business will be far from straightforward during a World Cup year.
The Gunners might have to weigh up selling Trossard or Martinelli though and it just hasn't clicked for the Brazilian in recent years at the Emirates Stadium.
Martinelli's form and promise has plateaued and it does beg the question whether sporting director Andrea Berta is ruthless enough to pursue a potential upgrade.
Whether Barcola is that is another question altogether. The Frenchman can beat defenders for fun - just like Martinelli - but this season he has lacked potency in front of goal, scoring just five times.
Other world-class wingers such as Real Madrid pair Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo might also be available, which will provide Arsenal with plenty of food for thought.
All signs do point towards them assessing their wide options at the end of the season though, regardless of whether they win the Premier League title or not.
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