Antoine Semenyo rallies Manchester City teammates to deliver knockout blow to Arsenal

City are aiming to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to three points this weekend and keep alive a title challenge that looked all but extinguished just a few weeks ago.

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Arsenal, meanwhile, arrive at the Etihad Stadium in the backdrop of losing 2-1 at home to Bournemouth – a result that handed City the momentum they needed to believe a remarkable late-season title charge was possible. Sunday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium promises to be one of the most charged occasions in recent Premier League history.

Semenyo has been a key part of City’s recent surge since joining from Bournemouth for £64 million in January and speaking on the In The Mixer podcast ahead of the weekend’s fixture, the Ghana international assessed where City stand heading into what could prove to be the defining 90 minutes of the season.

Semenyo: It’s a good time to play Arsenal

Semenyo made no attempt to mask the confidence running through the Manchester City dressing room heading into what is shaping up to be the most important fixture of the Blues’ campaign.

“Our form over the last couple of games has been good and we’re playing probably the best football we’ve played in the second half of the season,” Semenyo said. “So it’s a good time to play them (Arsenal), I guess.”

The Ghana international drew a pointed contrast between City’s upward trajectory and Arsenal’s recent stumbles, highlighting the convergence of form that makes Sunday’s fixture so compelling.

“Where they’ve dipped in form, we’ve picked up form, so it’ll be interesting. We were excited, to be honest. I feel like we’re ready for the game Sunday,” the winger added.

Predicted Starting Line-Up: Manchester City vs Arsenal (Premier League)

It’s going to be tough on Sunday, admits Semenyo

Asked to characterise the significance of the occasion, Semenyo’s answer sent a clear message to the Arsenal dressing room about the mood within City’s camp.

“It’s gonna be a big one. Title-deciding, maybe? I don’t know. But it’s gonna be a tough game, don’t get me wrong,” the former Bournemouth forward said.

The 26-year-old was careful to acknowledge the scale of the challenge still ahead, refusing to underestimate an Arsenal side that has led the division for the majority of the season despite their recent wobble.

Semenyo added: “They’ve obviously lost against Bournemouth but they’re still top of the table. We’re still chasing them, so we have to give them respect in that sense.”

Semenyo’s early Man City career

Since joining from Bournemouth in January, Semenyo has wasted no time making an impression at the Etihad Stadium, quickly establishing himself as a regular presence in Guardiola’s starting XI in several of City’s most important fixtures of the second half of the season.

The Ghana international has contributed directly to City’s attack during a period in which the Blues have beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea in three of their most high-stakes outings of the campaign – with his energy, directness and ability to carry the ball at pace giving City a dynamic wide option.

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Manchester City assistant coach Pepijn Lijnders specifically highlighted Semenyo’s contributions after the Liverpool win and his influence on City’s recent form has been a consistent talking point as the Blues have rediscovered the attacking fluency that was missing for much of the first half of the season.

The attacker is set to start for Guardiola alongside Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki in attack against Arsenal on Sunday, with Manchester City facing uncertainty over Nico O’Reilly’s availability after the Englishman went off with an injured hamstring at Stamford Bridge last week.