Arsenal must avoid signing £64m striker transfer target, it would be a disaster for Mikel Arteta

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The pressure is growing on Arsenal to add to their forward line before February 3rd’s transfer deadline.

Gabriel Jesus sustained an ACL injury against Manchester United in the FA Cup that has ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

The Brazilian joins Bukayo Saka in the treatment room, with the Englishman not expected to return to action until March at the earliest, after undergoing hamstring surgery.

This leaves Mikel Arteta with a threadbare attacking cohort, with just four senior wingers and strikers available at his disposal.

Arsenal were held to a draw by Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, in a performance that exposed the team’s desperate need for offensive reinforcements.

Arsenal shouldn’t sign Matheus Cunha

Several forwards have been linked with a move to the Emirates this month, with one name in particular emerging in recent days as an option that could genuinely be on the cards.

Arsenal are said to be interested in Matheus Cunha, with transfer guru Fabrizio Romano claiming that the deal is ‘one to watch’.

Cunha is enjoying a fruitful campaign thus far this season for Wolves, netting ten goals in 21 appearances across all competitions.

The Brazil international scored 14 times last term, demonstrating that he has the capacity to find the back of the net on a frequent basis, even for a struggling side.

In spite of these promising statistics, Arteta should refrain from splashing out on Cunha this month.

Wolves want £64 million for Cunha, an excessive fee for a player that hasn’t yet showcased his talent at the highest level, and these demands should represent an immediate red flag for Arsenal.

On top of this, the former Atletico Madrid man is an awkward fit for Arteta’s system.

Cunha is regularly deployed behind Jorgen Strand Larsen at Molineux, and ultimately isn’t an out-and-out striker, which is what most Gunners fans are crying out for.

While he manages 3.35 shots per 90 minutes, Cunha accumulates just 0.25 expected goals per 90 this season, suggesting that he’s not someone who finds himself inside the box finishing high-quality chances, but rather prefers to drop deep and shoot from range.

If he’s not selected to displace Kai Havertz up front, then it’s unclear where he’d fit in at Arsenal.

He doesn’t possess the passing ability or the defensive work rate to be deployed in midfield, while he’s rarely been used out wide throughout his career.

Cunha’s most dangerous attribute is driving with the ball in between the opponents midfield and defence, and this space is usually hugely condensed by teams that take on Arsenal, negating this strength.

While there’s no doubt that Cunha is a talented footballer, he doesn’t make sense for Arsenal and Arteta.

• READ MORE: Ian Wright says he ‘felt like a child’ when Arsenal signed one player for £7.5m

Matheus Cunha’s statistics compared to Kai Havertz

Havertz is often berrated by Arsenal fans for not possessing the goal-scoring instincts or finishing ability to lead Arteta’s front-line.

While the German is undoubtedly wasteful in front of goal, and should be upgraded at some point, the data indicates that he’s more of a natural striker than Cunha.

Havertz is more of a presence in the opposition box, spends more time in these areas, and gets good chances at a much higher rate.

Meanwhile, Cunha likes to roam in behind the striker and create shots for himself from distance, by driving at the opposition.

Stylistically, Cunha isn’t a match for what Arsenal fans want, and for what Arteta requires.