Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has expressed concern that Manchester City's potential January signings of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi could derail Arsenal's Premier League title challenge. The Gunners currently sit top of the table, but Smith fears that if City strengthen with these two players, Arsenal may once again be pipped to the trophy.
City have reportedly agreed a £65 million deal in principle with Bournemouth for Semenyo, pending a medical. The 26-year-old winger scored in the Cherries' 1-0 win over Tottenham on Wednesday evening. Pep Guardiola's side are also targeting Crystal Palace defender Guehi, valued at around £40 million, after injuries to Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner has hinted that a sale could happen if a suitable offer arrives and the player wants to move. "There will be a threshold where the club has to say yes," Glasner said. "If a massive offer comes from City and Marc wants to do it, it will happen."
Speaking on Sky Bet's In The Mixer podcast, Smith 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."
Arsenal face Liverpool on Thursday night with a chance to extend their lead at the top to eight points, but Smith's comments underline the anxiety that City's potential business could shift the balance in the title race.
