Winger who helped Bournemouth beat Arsenal admits he’s a Gunner | OneFootball

Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo admitted he’s an Arsenal fan ahead of Saturday’s game between the two sides.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Southampton FC at Vitality Stadium on September 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

24-year-old Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo started against Arsenal on Saturday, playing the full 90 minutes for the hosts. But ahead of the game, the player admitted he’s actually a fan of the opposition.

Speaking to The Athletic, Semenyo revealed his allegiance before insisting he wouldn’t let it negatively affect his performance.

“I am an Arsenal fan,” Semenyo 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. In order for that to happen I need to prove it.”

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: Kai Havertz of Arsenal and Antoine Semenyo of AFC Bournemouth battle for the ball during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The Athletic highlight that Semenyo has been linked with Arsenal recently, along with other Premier League clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United, and Liverpool.

The player has 12 goals and three assists in 52 games since joining the Premier League, averaging a goal contribution every 204 minutes. For a relatively underwhelming Bournemouth side, that’s not bad going.

Semenyo wasn’t quite on top form against Arsenal, missing a big chance for a goal against his boyhood club. But Bournemouth won’t mind, as they ran out 2-0 winners against the Gunners’ 10 men.

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND: David Raya of Arsenal fails to save as Justin Kluivert of AFC Bournemouth (obscured) scores his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

If Semenyo wants to make a good impression on his suitors ahead of the January window, he’ll have a few more chances in the coming weeks.

Bournemouth face Aston Villa on Saturday, October 26th, then Manchester City on Saturday, November 2nd, and they have games against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in December, among others.