Arsenal reportedly hold an interest Wolves striker Matheus Cunha, though it would appear it is difficult to get a deal done in January.
Despite the injury to Bukayo Saka it is understood that the Gunners’ interest in the 25-year-old is not linked to the extended period of the time he is set to miss.
It is worth noting that Mikel Arteta will also be without Raheem Sterling, the Chelsea loanee suffering a knee issue that further limits Arsenal’s options in attack.
In fact, Arsenal’s senior attacking options consist of Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard.
Mikel Arteta has stated that his side ‘are going to be different’ in the wake of Saka’s injury bombshell, with the Gunners assessing candidates to replace the England international.
One such option could arrive in January with Matheus Cunha able to play in a number of positions across the front line.
Matheus Cunha has drawn plenty of interest with his impressive performances signing joining Wolves in 2023
Bukayo Saka is expected to miss significant time following a torn hamstring suffered against Crystal Palace
Gabriel Martinelli filled in for Saka after his injury and is among a number of options being considered by Mikel Arteta as a solution to his injury crisis
The Brazilian attacker has particularly caught the eye this season having scored 10 goals in 18 premier league appearances adding a further four assists.
He proved why he is such a hot commodity during Wolves’ 2-0 win over Manchester United as he scored directly from a corner to open the scoring, before laying on an assist for Hwang-Hee Chan to wrap up the scoring in injury time.
And according to the Telegraph Arsenal are one of the clubs expected to be knocking at Vitor Pereira’s door for Cunha.
Initially joining on loan from Atletico Madrid, Cunha made the permanent switch to the Midlands ahead of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
In his one completed full season in England, he managed 14 goals in all competitions and put on a number of impressive performances.
That has been the case again in the first-half of the current campaign despite his side’s struggles and he has been crucial in their two wins under their new boss Perreira.
It is believed that any deal would be difficult to complete in January with Cunha crucial to Wolves as they look to maintain their top-flight status and so would be reluctant to let a key player leave in the winter window.
Gabriel Jesus has scored five goals in his last two games in all competitions and could also ease the issues caused by Bukayo Saka’s injury
There may be further complications to any potential approach from Arsenal with the Brazilian having two full seasons on his current deal, meaning they are under no pressure to sell.
Even if they are able to hold on to their top scorer in January, Wolves are braced to lose Cunha to suspension, with the FA assessing an incident following the team’s 2-1 defeat to Ipswich earlier this month.
Arsenal may have to wait until the summer for a new face in attack, for now Arteta has made it very clear it will be a team effort to replace Bukayo Saka as he told the media ‘I think it’s something collective’.
He will get his first chance to show who will replace the England winger when Arsenal host Ipswich on December 27.
