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You may have noticed that Bournemouth Antoine Sémenyo was talked about more than a Mariah Carey Christmas tune throughout December, but it was rarely mentioned in the same breath as Arsenal.
That’s not to say the Gunners haven’t expressed interest. Semenyo is a childhood gunner and technical director Andrea Berta has recently been in contact.
But Arsenal haven’t pushed like Manchester City, and the versatile Cherries striker, who has a £65 million release clause, appears to be heading there, although there is a feeling in north London that Arsenal would sign him if they pushed hard enough.
Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli both have a role to play Mikel Artetabut that doesn’t mean Arsenal won’t seize the right opportunity this winter.
Arsenal could sign in January
THE Premier League Tabletop players spent well last summer and are well positioned to challenge for the title until the end. But Arteta knows the strength of Pep Guardiola’s Man City, who could add Semenyo to their ranks next month.
With that in mind, Arsenal might want to respond with a vengeance, signing a new striker with the potential to rival Bukayo Saka as the crème de la crème of Londoners. After all, Arteta said his side would be “active search” ways to improve until January.
According to Caught offsideArsenal are among the favorites to sign youngster Bazoumana Touré from Hoffenheim, with the 19-year-old winger attracting interest from many elite clubs across Europe.
Valued at €45m (converted to around £39m), the one-cap Ivory Coast international is seen as a prize by his German employers, and they are unwilling to sell him.
Arsenal are joined by Manchester United in being at the front of the queue for his signature.
Why Touré is perfect for Arteta’s project
Touré is just a teenager, having joined Hoffenheim from Swedish giants Hammarby FC at the start of 2025. He is already considered one of the top talents in Germany, which is fitting for life in the Bundesliga.
The gifted winger’s pace and anticipation leave little to be desired, and while he has only scored twice in 14 Bundesliga matches this season, five assists underline his effectiveness in the final third.
The left winger also averaged 5.8 duels and 1.7 dribbles per game. He is robust and dynamic, the ideal partner for Saka, with whom he shares a number of tactical traits.
When a winger is difficult to stop once he gets going and powerful enough to protect the ball from predatory defenders, you know you’re onto a winner. And Touré is a “scary” prospect for those reasons, as noted journalist Kendin Bocsak.
According to FBref, he ranks in the top 12% of Bundesliga wingers in 2025/26 for progressive runs, top 10% for successful positionals and top 2% for aerial duels won and ball recoveries made per 90.
A successful takeover is recorded when a player beats their opponent by carrying the ball directly in front of them while maintaining possession.
He’s a complete winger, someone with athleticism, strength and energy. Someone who looks a lot like Saka.
The Bundesliga has a lot of promising qualities, but the aforementioned Bocsak said “one of the most exciting young wingers in European football“.
He would need a lot to compete with Saka at the Emirates. The Three Lions superstar has been so consistent over the years, such a valuable asset to Arteta and his burgeoning project.
|
Arsenal players most used by Arteta |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Applications |
Goals + Passes |
|
Bukayo Saka |
266 |
74 + 72 |
|
Gabriel Martinelli |
227 |
49 + 28 |
|
Gabriel Magalhaes |
226 |
22 + 8 |
|
Martin Odegaard |
212 |
41 + 40 |
|
Ben White |
170 |
6 + 13 |
|
Given Transfer market |
||
Analyst Ben Mattinson noted that Touré’s “crosses, ball striking, shielding, finishing and defensive discipline remind me of Saka”.
In this we can see why the Gunners are so interested in doing a deal. He’s a top talent, one who could well become a sensation who is cut from the same cloth as Saka.
