Antoine Semenyo is set to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, even as transfer talks with Manchester City gather pace. Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola confirmed the winger will play, despite widespread reports of a potential move worth around 65m during the current window.
The spotlight on Semenyo has grown after a strong Premier League campaign, making the situation delicate for Bournemouth before hosting Arsenal. Iraola stated that Semenyo remains fully involved in preparations for the match and continues to train at a high level, despite uncertainty over the forward’s long-term future.
Semenyo’s numbers highlight the importance of the player to Bournemouth’s Premier League season. No Bournemouth player has scored more goals than
Semenyo in the competition, with nine strikes so far. Semenyo also leads the squad with three assists, showing influence both as a finisher and a creator.
The winger stands ahead of every Bournemouth team-mate for efforts on goal, with 45 shots registered. Semenyo has also recorded 86 touches inside the opposition box and delivered 96 passes into the penalty area, underlining how often the Ghanaian drives attacks and occupies dangerous positions for Bournemouth.
| Statistic | Antoine Semenyo 2025-26 Premier League |
|---|---|
| Goals | 9 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Shots | 45 |
| Touches in opposition box | 86 |
| Passes into box | 96 |
Semenyo’s output also stands out across the league. Only Erling Haaland, with 23, has contributed directly to more Premier League goals this term. Semenyo has been involved in 12 goals in total, underlining the scale of the task for Bournemouth should the club eventually agree a sale.
The Arsenal fixture arrives with contrasting records in this matchup. Bournemouth won just one of the first 14 Premier League meetings with Arsenal, drawing two and losing 11. However, Bournemouth completed a league double over Arsenal last season, marking a clear shift in recent head-to-head form.
Arsenal at home is our first game of 2026 pic.twitter.com/cjR8A3kOKEAFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) January 2, 2026
Bournemouth Arsenal Premier League test against league leaders
Bournemouth’s broader record against sides starting the day on top of the Premier League table is far less positive. The club has lost 12 of 13 such fixtures. The single victory in that run came in November 2024, when Bournemouth beat Manchester City 2-1 at home.
Iraola accepts that Semenyo’s future remains unresolved. The manager admitted not knowing whether the Ghana international wants to remain or leave. Yet Iraola continues to rely on Semenyo’s contribution as Bournemouth attempt to manage both the Arsenal challenge and ongoing transfer speculation.
Bournemouth Arsenal Premier League build-up and Iraola on Semenyo
Iraola highlighted Semenyo’s approach during this period of uncertainty, stressing the attitude shown in training and matches. "He is playing very well. He is doing the right things. He is a top professional, a top guy," said Iraola, outlining trust in Semenyo’s commitment before the Arsenal clash.
The Bournemouth head coach then expanded on Semenyo’s mentality as speculation increases. "He wants to help the team, he wants to help his team-mates and I have no doubt about that. I have no doubt he will do his best. You will have to ask him [whether he wants to leave]. I don't know. I know what I want. I think Antoine is behaving really, really well. There is a lot of noise around him and he is being a top professional and I'm sure he will be, until the last day. Obviously, he is a massive player. Not only this season. But, everyone has to give their best. If we lose Antoine, that is going to be a massive hit, but you have to move on. It is like this in football. "
Bournemouth now approach the Arsenal game knowing Semenyo remains central both on the pitch and in transfer discussions. The club’s recent improvement against Arsenal contrasts with a difficult record versus league leaders, while Semenyo’s statistics and Iraola’s words show why any departure would present a major challenge.
