Arsenal fans have many reasons to smile this season. The team is winning games, playing good football, and leading the Premier League. While rivals Manchester City have spent big money on Antoine Semenyo, Arsenal may already have a better player in their own squad. Mikel Arteta has trusted his players, and one often-criticised Arsenal star is now proving his true value. He may be worth much more than Antoine Semenyo.
He said no to Liverpool
He said no to Chelsea
He said no to Manchester United
He didn’t care about Arsenal.
He chose the biggest club.
SEMENYO, WELCOME TO CITY! pic.twitter.com/4ORu9B4lwI
— Radu Cristian (@radhoo12) December 23, 2025
Arsenal Flying High as Antoine Semenyo Makes His Move
More than half of the season is now complete, and Arsenal are in a very strong position. They are six points clear at the top of the Premier League. They are also through to the FA Cup fourth round and the League Cup semi-final. In Europe, Arsenal finished top of their Champions League group.
Manchester City, who usually dominate English football, have not looked as sharp. To fix this, they spent £64 million on Antoine Semenyo. The winger joined from Bournemouth and was once linked with Arsenal.
Many fans wondered if Arsenal missed a big chance by not signing him. Semenyo is fast, strong, and dangerous in attack. City believe he can help them catch Arsenal in the title race. But football is not only about new signings. Sometimes the best answer is already at home.
Why Arsenal Did Not Need Antoine Semenyo
Even though Antoine Semenyo is a good player, Arsenal did not panic. Arteta stayed calm and trusted his squad. The club has been linked with other wingers like Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola, but no deal was rushed.
That is because Arsenal already have Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian winger has faced criticism this season. Some fans say he has not been consistent. Others feel he does not score enough goals. But the numbers tell a different story.
Martinelli has played far fewer minutes than Semenyo this season. Even so, he has scored nine goals and added one assist. When you look at minutes played, Martinelli creates goals faster than Semenyo. This shows his true impact on the pitch.
Arteta once called Martinelli a “nightmare” for defenders. Former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp even called him “the talent of the century”. These are big words, and Martinelli is starting to back them up again.
Martinelli’s Value and Experience Tell the Real Story
Reports from Spain say Martinelli could be worth around €100 million. That is about £87 million. This makes him around £23 million more valuable than Antoine Semenyo.
Martinelli is also younger and has much more top-level experience. He has played nearly 180 Premier League games and over 20 Champions League matches. Semenyo has never played in the Champions League.
Even this season, the difference is clear when minutes are counted. Semenyo has more total goals, but he has played almost twice as much. Martinelli’s goals come quicker, which shows how effective he is.
Why This Matters for Arsenal’s Title Dream
This situation is great news for Arsenal. It shows they do not always need to spend big money. Arteta can develop players and make them better. Martinelli’s form gives Arsenal strength on the wing and saves money for other areas.
If Arsenal win the league, Martinelli’s contribution will matter a lot. While City rely on Antoine Semenyo to turn things around, Arsenal already have a proven star ready to shine.
Author’s Opinion
Antoine Semenyo may succeed at Manchester City, but Arsenal have no regrets. Gabriel Martinelli is showing his quality again. With Arteta’s trust and guidance, Arsenal’s “nightmare” winger could be the key to a famous season.
As featured on GoonerNews.com