Andoni Iraola reveals if Antoine Semenyo will play for Bournemouth against Arsenal

Andoni Iraola has confirmed that Antoine Semenyo will play for Bournemouth against Arsenal, despite reports of Manchester City closing a deal for the forward.

Semenyo’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, with the attacker attracting strong interest from Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and City.

The 25-year-old has been in scintillating form in the first half of the season, racking up nine goals and three assists for the Cherries, who sit 15th in the Premier League table.

But widespread reports on New Year’s Day suggested Semenyo’s time at the Vitality Stadium was coming to an end after City supposedly reached an agreement in principle for the Ghana international.

A release clause in Semenyo’s contract means City are able to sign the forward for a fee of £65million in the first two weeks of January.

Semenyo appeared to wave goodbye to Bournemouth’s travelling support after the side’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Tuesday, but the proposed move is yet to be officially announced by either club.

Facing the media on Friday, Bournemouth boss Iraola insisted Semenyo remained central to his plans for the club’s upcoming clash with top-of-the-table Arsenal.

‘Yes, Antoine is going to play, yes,’ Iraola told reporters.

Asked if he expects the contest with the Gunners to be Semenyo’s final match for Bournemouth, Iraola replied: ‘No, no.

‘I think the idea is, at least, is that he is going to be available in these two home games.

‘We have a very short turnaround and I hope he can be here for more time.

‘I don’t know what’s going to happen.’

Pushed again on whether or not the match with Arsenal will be a ‘farewell’ for Semenyo, Iraola responded: ‘No, that’s not the idea.

‘When the market is open you never know what is going to happen because I cannot control these things.

‘But if you ask me right now: I don’t think.’

Though there have been ‘conversations’ over a transfer, Semenyo has been training as usual and Iraola is adamant that City are yet to strike a total agreement for the former Bristol City man.

‘No, there is nothing signed. There is nothing signed, for sure,’ he went on.

‘There are conversations. I understand a lot of the noise around but there is nothing signed.

‘Antoine is a Bournemouth player and I hope, obviously I say a lot of times, I keep him for a lot of time.

‘But I don’t know what’s going to happen.’

The likes of Alexander Isak and Yoane Wissa received widespread criticism after effectively going on strike to secure moves away from their respective clubs in the summer.

But Iraola says Semenyo has remained a ‘top professional’ throughout, ‘doing the right things both on and off the pitch, with Bournemouth’s best interests at heart.

‘He’s playing very well, he’s doing the right things,’ the Spaniard said.

‘He’s a top professional, a top guy, he wants to help his team, help his team-mates and I have no doubts that he will do his best.

‘There are no doubts with him.’

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