This former Arsenal striker fears Manchester City could enjoy a stellar early January transfer window and it may end up with them beating the Gunners to the Premier League title again
Ben Crawford GAU Writer
07:43, 08 Jan 2026Updated 07:43, 08 Jan 2026
Alan Smith speaks on In The Mixer
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Alan Smith fears for Arsenal's title chances(Image: In The Mixer)
Ex-Arsenal ace Alan Smith has voiced concerns that Manchester City's potential signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi could tip the title race in their favour. The Gunners currently lead the Premier League by five points.
Mikel Arteta's squad remains steadfast in their pursuit of the league title, heading into a Thursday night clash with Liverpool while maintaining a comfortable lead over City and Aston Villa. This advantage could be extended to eight points with a win.
However, this is familiar territory for Arsenal, who have seen both City and Liverpool snatch the trophy from them in recent seasons. Sky Sports pundit Smith, who was a goal machine for Arsenal with 115 strikes to his name, worries that if City make smart early January transfers and Arsenal fail to do the same, they may find themselves playing catch-up once more.
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The players causing Smith's concern are Bournemouth's Semenyo and Crystal Palace captain Guehi, whom he fears could be key acquisitions for Pep Guardiola's side, potentially giving them the edge.
Semenyo had been rumoured to be on the move to the Emirates, but with the January transfer window just opening, City have reportedly agreed a £65m deal in principle for the 26-year-old, subject to medical checks. He scored in what is considered his final game for the Cherries against Tottenham on Wednesday evening.
Bernardo Silva and Matheus Nunes of Manchester City put Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth under pressure during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Bournemouth
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Semenyo is reportedly on the verge of joining City(Image: Getty)
City's early transfer activity might not stop there. Palace defender Guehi was on the brink of a move to Liverpool last summer, but after that deal fell through, he remained at Selhurst Park.
The Manchester club's defensive line is in a spot of bother following Josko Gvardiol's tibial fracture during their 1-1 stalemate with Chelsea. With Ruben Dias also out of action, the club's gaze has reportedly shifted to Guehi. A January transfer could be on the cards if City are willing to meet the rumoured £40m asking price.
Smith, speaking on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet, expressed his concerns about Arsenal's title competitors securing these signings. He said: "I'm a bit worried about City and Semenyo, and if they get Guehi.
"I don't like that at all. Because as City are at the moment, I think Arsenal are better in terms of the squad. But listen, if City are breathing down their necks with four or five games to go, how are Arsenal going to handle it? That is the question."
As for Guehi, Palace manager Oliver Glasner has given a significant clue about the player's future amidst City's alleged interest. Glasner stated: "Everybody wants that he plays for Crystal Palace, signs a new contract and stays here forever.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace
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Guehi could also be on his way to the Etihad(Image: Getty)
"On the other side, there's the situation that the contract ends in the summer and if somebody is coming, there will be a moment when the club says, 'Now the financial issue is more important than the sport issue.'
"We have to do it and try to get the best. That's why I'm always saying, 'I don't know.' Because this is different. There will be a threshold where the club has to say [yes].
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"If the player says, 'I want to leave,' and the money is above the threshold, it will happen. I'm not so naive not to know that if a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen."
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