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Antoine Semenyo ‘called Arsenal’ before £65m Man City move – Mikel Arteta could have signed him
Sometimes the most revealing transfer stories are the ones that never quite happen.
Before Antoine Semenyo sealed his move to Manchester City, a quiet conversation took place, according to a report – one that briefly pulled Arsenal into the frame and exposed the fine margins that now define elite recruitment. There were no bids, no public chase, and no last-minute drama
Explained: Who will replace Semenyo at…
Instead, there was a simple question from a player seeking certainty and a club unwilling to compromise its principles to provide it. At that moment, the disciplined, patient, and unapologetically selective nature of Arsenal’s January strategy became evident, making the consequences of this stance impossible to ignore.
Arsenal’s January planning has been cast into light following reports that Antoine Semenyo explored a move to north London before ultimately completing his switch to Manchester City.
According to information shared by afcstuff on X and attributed to AFCAMDEN, Semenyo made direct contact with Arsenal prior to joining Manchester City, enquiring about the possibility of a January transfer or, at the very least, assurances over a guaranteed move in the summer. Arsenal, however, were unable to offer either.
🚨 Before he joined Manchester City, Antoine Semenyo reached out to Arsenal & asked about a January transfer or to guarantee a summer transfer, however, the club couldn’t do any guarantees to the player. ❌ [@AFCAMDEN] pic.twitter.com/yEQoStXGWz
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) January 15, 2026
A decision shaped by certainty
The significance of the report lies less in Arsenal missing out on a specific target and more in how elite clubs now operate in the margins of modern recruitment. Semenyo, keen to secure clarity over his next step, was reportedly seeking firm commitments before altering his career trajectory.
Under Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s reluctance to provide guarantees reflects a broader recruitment principle that emphasises earning opportunities rather than promising them.
For players approaching a decisive stage of their development, that stance can be pivotal. In Semenyo’s case, Manchester City’s pathway – whether through immediate involvement, structured rotation, or long-term planning – appears to have offered greater certainty than Arsenal were prepared to provide.
Arsenal’s position is understandable when viewed through the lens of squad balance and competitive depth. The club is actively participating in various competitions and already has a crowded attacking unit that meticulously manages roles and minutes.
Offering guarantees, either mid-season or months in advance, risks undermining internal competition and the meritocratic framework Arteta has built.
That structure has been a cornerstone of Arsenal’s recent progress. Players are rotated based on form, tactical need, and physical condition, rather than transfer status. In such an environment, assurances to incoming players can be counterproductive, particularly when the squad is already operating at a high level.
The wider transfer lesson
Semenyo’s enquiry, and Arsenal’s response, also underline the increasingly transactional nature of modern transfers. Players and their representatives are seeking clarity earlier, often months before a window opens, while clubs are becoming more cautious about committing future resources amid evolving priorities.
For Arsenal, the inability – or unwillingness – to guarantee a deal does not necessarily indicate a lack of interest. Instead, it points to a club comfortable delaying decisions until the appropriate window, when needs are clearer and flexibility remains intact.
Read More: Arsenal tell Everton Ben White’s summer transfer fee as ‘incredibly keen’ claim made
From Arsenal’s perspective, the circumstance is not a missed opportunity so much as a reflection of disciplined squad management. From Semenyo’s standpoint, it was a pragmatic career move shaped by timing and assurance.
In an era where transfer narratives often hinge on emotion or hindsight, this episode instead illustrates two clubs adhering to their principles – and a player choosing the path that offered the clearest next step.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stands.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Man City (Szoboszlai, 74)
HE’S DONE IT AGAIN!
An absolutely sensational free-kick goal from Dominik Szoboszlai. This one might be even better than the one against Arsenal.
From a central position, around 25 yards out, it’s an absolutely sensational hit which swerves out of reach of Donnarumma, who doesn’t even dive, and slams into the net off the post.
Amazing. And what could that mean for the title race? Arsenal staying nine points clear as it stLiverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League match updates, news, score, stream and highlights – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 8 February 2026 18:05, UK
Second Half: Liverpool 1-0 Man City – live on Sky
Szoboszlai scores OUTRAGEOUS free-kick! View post
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Ekitike missed huge chance as Liverpool came to life View post | Teams
Live Premier Leagueands.
Liverpool vs Man City LIVE! Premier League match updates, news, score, stream and highlights – live on Sky Sports
Sunday 8 February 2026 16:30, UK
First Half: Liverpool 0-0 Man City – live on Sky
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Updates, tables and teams
Alisson denies Haaland early opener
Title-chasing Man City face huge test at Anfield | Teams
Liverpool aiming to maintain push for CL qualification
Live PL table | Sky Bet | Latest: Liverpool | Man City
Liverpool FC team news vs. Man City: 6 defenders unavailable for Arne Slot
Liverpool have six defenders unavailable for their game against Man City, with Arne Slot‘s hand forced at centre-back and right-back.
Liverpool are down to their bare bones at the back, with six defenders unable to start as the Reds try to keep pace with their top-four competitors in the Premier League.
Liverpool Injury & Absentee List
PlayerInjury TypeStatusExpected ReturnJoe GomezKneeDoubtMan City (H)Jeremie FrimpongGroinUnavailableEarly MarchConor BradleyKnee (Surgery)UnavailablePre-season 2026Giovanni LeoniACL (Surgery)UnavailableNext seasonAlexander IsakFibula FractureUnavailableLate MarchStefan BajceticHamstringRehabLate FebruaryJayden DannsHamstringRehabFebruaryWellity LuckyHamstringUnavailableApril
Joe Gomez‘s fitness is the main talking point ahead of the match at Anfield, given his presence would provide cover at centre-back and full-back.
He didn’t train on Thursday, though, and Slot explained: “We have a little bit of hope that he might train on Saturday.
“So not available to start, but maybe available to help the team if needed during the game because, as you know, there are not that many defenders available at the moment.”
With Giovanni Leoni out until next season, academy defenders Amara Nallo and Wellity Lucky have made the bench in the Premier League a combined five times this season.
The latter is injured, however, so unable to come in against Man City.
Nallo got injured during Tuesday’s UEFA Youth League exit to MSK Zilina, but was named to start for the U21s on Saturday, meaning he will not be available at Anfield.
As for Lucky’s injury, the 20-year-old is set to be sidelined until April due to a hamstring injury sustained in training midway through January.
Also on Liverpool’s list of absentees is right-back Conor Bradley, who will miss the rest of the campaign.
Like Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong is currently injured but his outlook is more positive than his teammate’s.
Slot gave a brief update on the flying Dutchman’s fitness, saying he “will definitely not train this week” due to his ongoing groin problem.
With Nallo featuring at academy level, Liverpool will be without six defensive options against Man City.
READ MORE
Liverpool Predicted XI vs. Man City: Szoboszlai right-back, no start for Jones
Liverpool’s available squad vs. Man City
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Robertson, Ramsay
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister, Endo, Nyoni
Forwards: Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike, Ngumoha, Chiesa
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