Arsenal revealed as Antoine Semenyo’s preferred transfer destination but Gunners set to miss out on forward

Antoine Semenyo wanted Arsenal move as Gunners hesitate and rivals close in

There are some transfer stories that quietly sting a little more than others, especially when a player all but admits he would have jumped at the chance to pull on your shirt. For Arsenal supporters, the emerging picture around Antoine Semenyo feels very much like one of those moments.

The Bournemouth forward has enjoyed a breakout campaign and, as January approaches, his future is fast becoming one of the Premier League’s most talked-about subplots. While Manchester City now appear poised to land the Ghana international, it has been revealed that Arsenal were Semenyo’s preferred destination had Mikel Arteta’s side made a decisive move.

Instead, hesitation and timing look set to cost the Gunners, leaving them to watch another club capitalise on a player who not only fits their needs — but openly supports them.

A season that changed everything for Antoine Semenyo

Semenyo’s rise this season has been impossible to ignore. Operating primarily from the left but capable of drifting across the frontline, the 25-year-old has been one of Bournemouth’s standout performers in an otherwise inconsistent campaign.

With eight goals and three assists already to his name, Semenyo has combined power, directness and end product in a way that has caught the eye of recruitment teams across the league. His performances have stood out not just for the numbers, but for the manner in which he delivers them — aggressive running, willingness to take responsibility, and an ability to trouble elite defenders.

For a Bournemouth side that began the season brightly before fading, Semenyo has often been the spark, the player who looks capable of changing games even when momentum is against his team.

Premier League heavyweights circle as interest intensifies

Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest – Premier League

It was inevitable that such form would attract attention. Liverpool were widely tipped as early frontrunners, particularly during a period when their title defence appeared to be stuttering and questions lingered around Mohamed Salah’s long-term future.

The Reds’ summer business had already been aggressive, with major investments in Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz, but Semenyo remained a name of interest. When Isak suffered an ankle fracture in the win over Tottenham, speculation intensified — yet Liverpool ultimately chose not to accelerate their pursuit.

Chelsea briefly entered the conversation, as they so often do, while Tottenham made another attempt to lure Semenyo north. That effort was swiftly rejected. The forward was polite but firm, making it clear that Spurs were not the project he wanted to commit to.

Manchester United also hovered, keen to add pace and penetration to their attack, but it is Manchester City who have now emerged as the leading contenders.

Manchester City move fast as Arsenal hesitate

City’s interest is not casual. Pep Guardiola’s side are reportedly prepared to trigger the £65 million release clause in Semenyo’s Bournemouth contract — a clause that must be activated by January 10 to give the Cherries enough time to line up a replacement.

For City, the appeal is obvious. Semenyo’s physicality, pressing intensity and versatility fit neatly into Guardiola’s attacking rotation. He offers something slightly different to their existing options while still possessing the tactical discipline City demand.

For Arsenal, however, this is where the frustration creeps in.

Why Arsenal would have been Antoine Semenyo’s first choice

According to respected transfer insider David Ornstein, Arsenal were not just an option for Semenyo — they would have been his first choice.

The Gunners made contact with the player’s representatives and conducted background work on a potential deal. Crucially, had they pushed ahead with a formal bid, they would likely have won the race.

“There is a feeling Arsenal would have ranked as his first choice had they been firmly at the table,” Ornstein revealed, adding context around why the move never materialised.

Arsenal’s reluctance appears to have been driven by timing and squad planning rather than doubts about the player himself. The club were open to selling Gabriel Martinelli in January, and that exit would have created a natural pathway for Semenyo to arrive at the Emirates.

Instead, Arsenal opted for caution.

‘I am an Arsenal fan’ – Semenyo’s admission adds extra sting

Manchester United v Bournemouth – Premier League

What makes the situation even more painful for Arsenal supporters is Semenyo’s own words. In an interview last year, he openly admitted his allegiance.

“I am an Arsenal fan,” he said. “I don’t conflict the two with my job. It is great to play against Arsenal, a team I have watched all my life, and I want to play for the top clubs as well.”

That honesty only reinforces the sense of a missed opportunity. Semenyo was not just open to the move — he was emotionally invested in it.

For players, that kind of connection can matter. It often translates into immediate commitment, hunger to succeed, and an understanding of the club’s culture that can’t always be taught.

A problem position Arsenal chose not to fix — yet

The irony is that the left flank has been a problem area for Arsenal this season. Arteta has rotated no fewer than four players in that role, searching for consistency and balance.

Martinelli has struggled for rhythm, injuries have disrupted continuity, and tactical tweaks have left the position feeling unsettled. Semenyo, with his direct style and willingness to attack defenders, looked tailor-made to address that issue.

Yet Arsenal’s aggressive spending in the summer has clearly influenced their January approach. The club are reluctant to embark on another heavy outlay mid-season, preferring instead to reassess their priorities in the summer.

From a financial and strategic perspective, that caution is understandable. From a footballing one, it may prove costly.

Manchester City poised to capitalise

While Arsenal wait, Manchester City are ready to act. Guardiola has never shied away from paying a premium for players he believes fit his system, and Semenyo’s release clause provides clarity and speed.

City’s ability to move decisively, coupled with their competitive stability, often proves decisive in races like this. For Semenyo, the chance to work under Guardiola, compete for trophies and refine his game at the highest level is an enticing proposition — even if his boyhood club was Arsenal.

Short-term focus remains with Bournemouth and Brentford

Despite the noise surrounding his future, Semenyo remains fully committed to Bournemouth for now. He is expected to feature when the Cherries travel to Brentford this weekend, even as speculation swirls.

Bournemouth arrive unbeaten in three but winless in eight, a run that has stalled their early-season momentum. Semenyo will be keen to add to his tally, having recently ended a seven-game goal drought with a strike in the thrilling 4-4 draw against Manchester United.

He followed that up with his eighth goal of the season in last weekend’s draw with Burnley, underlining his importance to Andoni Iraola’s side.

A familiar Arsenal story of timing and restraint

For Arsenal, this feels like a familiar narrative. The club identified the player, opened dialogue, but stopped short of committing at the decisive moment. In modern football, that hesitation is often punished.

Whether Semenyo ultimately thrives at Manchester City remains to be seen. But there is little doubt that, had Arsenal acted with conviction, the story might have unfolded very differently.

Instead, the Gunners appear set to miss out on a player who wanted them — and who might have solved a problem position in one decisive move.

As January unfolds, it will be one to watch closely. Not just for where Semenyo ends up, but for what it says about Arsenal’s evolving transfer philosophy — and the fine margins that separate ambition from opportunity.