Manchester City have been dealt an attacking blow with Antoine Semenyo suffering a knee injury that will keep him out of action for an extended period, depriving the club of a crucial option during a congested phase of the season.
Manager Enzo Maresca confirmed details of the Ghanaian international’s absence during his pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash against AEK Athens, after the player was forced off injured against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Semenyo sustained the knee injury in the closing stages of the 3-2 victory, with medical scans conducted on Sunday confirming he requires a period of treatment and rehabilitation. “Antoine will probably be out for eight weeks,” Maresca said, slating his prospective return for December.
The Italian manager added: “We feared a worse injury, but the tests were somewhat reassuring,” explaining that the immediate priority is the player’s recovery after initial examinations proved less severe than first feared.
Semenyo’s absence is not felt exclusively on the wing; Maresca viewed him as one of the key solutions to provide rest for Erling Haaland. “We could have used Antoine as a central striker,” Maresca noted, leaving the coaching staff tasked with identifying alternative options whenever their starting striker requires rotation.
The situation carries added sensitivity after Haaland finished the Ipswich match nursing a knock, although Maresca remains optimistic regarding his availability against AEK. Conversely, the conditions of Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly, and Mateo Kovačić appeared relatively reassuring following injury concerns arising from the same fixture.
Semenyo joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in January 2026 on a contract running through the summer of 2031, having established himself among the Premier League’s standout attackers. His ability to operate on both flanks as well as through the middle gives him particular importance in diversifying City’s attacking solutions.
The injury comes with Manchester City sitting top of the Premier League with a perfect record of seven wins from seven matches, secured following Haaland’s brace and Phil Foden’s strike against Ipswich. The team will now look to maintain their flawless start while managing Semenyo’s absence, beginning with Tuesday evening’s host meeting against AEK Athens.
