Mikel Arteta has his say in significant Matheus Cunha to Arsenal update

Arsenal have reportedly changed their stance regarding a potential summer approach for Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha.

The Gunners are considering a host of options to bolster their attack following goalscoring troubles since the turn of the year. Injuries for the likes of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli have left Arsenal very short up top, even leading to midfielder Mikel Merino starting as a centre-forward in recent weeks.

Manager Mikel Arteta wanted to sign a new striker in January but his wishes were not granted. Instead, Arsenal are set to make progress in the summer transfer window as they seek to close the gap to Liverpool next season. Whether that’s the correct approach or not is very much up to interpretation but that’s the outlook as it stands.

Cunha has been a long-standing target for the Gunners but the Brazilian signed a new contract at Wolves at the start of February, ending any immediate speculation. There could be movement in the summer, however, as Cunha’s new deal crucially includes a release clause of £62.5 million – active from July.

TalkSPORT reports Arsenal have been keen on Cunha for some time but there are new concerns being developed. Arteta is said to have reservations about Cunha’s temperament following the 25-year-old’s controversial sending-off against AFC Bournemouth.

Cunha had scored a stunning goal from 30 yards in the second half of the FA Cup fifth round but got involved in an altercation with Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez at the end of extra time. Cunha snapped at Kerkez as he swung and missed the left-back’s face before knocking him to ground with a blatant head-butt. The Cherries then went on to win a penalty shootout.

The unprofessionalism didn’t end there as Cunha refused to leave the field and had to be escorted down the tunnel by his teammates. He may have been a hero in the second half but he was a villain when Wolves needed him most; Cunha clearly didn’t learn his lesson after narrowly avoiding punishment for an aggressive confrontation with an Ipswich Town staff member in December.

Arsenal’s Arteta developing Cunha concerns

Arteta, thinking back to that moment and now this, is understandably fearful that Cunha could prove to be too much of a loose cannon. Albeit undeniably a player with world-class potential, the 11-time Brazil international would need to improve his disposition to deal with high-pressure moments at the Emirates Stadium.

Other strikers Arsenal have been linked with recently are Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. Those three can definitely be considered as more out-and-out centre-forwards compared to Cunha but that doesn’t necessarily mean the Wolves man wouldn’t be utilised in that position.

Cunha may not be on the shortlist anymore, however, if the report from TalkSPORT is to be believed. Time will tell as pressure grows on Arsenal to reach into their pockets.

In other news, Vitor Pereira must step in as concerns deepen at Wolves over a potential underlying ‘captain curse’ taking hold.