Semenyo available to face Arsenal – says Bournemouth boss

Despite being linked with Manchester City, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has confirmed Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo will be available to face Arsenal in a Premier League fixture on Saturday.

“Yes, Antoine is going to play (against Arsenal) yes,” he told reporters ahead of Saturday’s game.

“No, no (it is not his final game). I think the idea at least is that he’s going to be available for these two games that we have in a very short turnaround. I hope he can be here more time but I don’t know what is going to happen.

“No (it is no his farewell) that is not the idea. But when the market is open you never know what is going to happen because you cannot control the things but if you ask me right now, I don’t think so.”

Semenyo is a massive player

“There is nothing signed. There are conversations and I understand a lot of the noise around but there is nothing signed. Antoine is our player and I hope – we want to keep him for a lot of time – but we want to keep him yes.”

He added: “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.

“He is playing very well. He is doing the right things. He is a top professional, a top guy. 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.”

Semenyo has scored 11 league goals from 16 appearances this season.