Mikel Arteta will have one eye on Arsenal’s run-in to the new year and one on the upcoming January transfer window.
Early into the 2024/25 calendar, it became clear that Arsenal are lacking depth in attack, which has hindered the start to the season.
Sitting in third behind Chelsea and Liverpool isn’t where Arteta wants his side to be, particularly heading into the foreseeable future without Bukayo Saka.
Saka’s hamstring injury is a considerable blow for the Gunners, which could have altered the club’s view of the January transfer market.
Arsenal target Wolves forward Matheus Cunha
Saka will be an immediate miss for Arsenal, given how integral the winger’s contribution is in the final third.
While Arteta batted away talk of the transfer window amid the Gunners’ latest injury scare, there could be greater urgency to scan the market this winter.
Adding to the attack would bolster Arsenal’s chances in the title race and other competitions, with a name already firmly on the North Londoners’ transfer list.
That’s according to The Athletic, who have reported Arsenal’s interest in Wolves forward Matheus Cunha.
The report names the Gunners as ‘long-term admirers’ of the Brazilian, who has been starring in the Premier League since his January 2022 move from Atletico Madrid.
It’s detailed that Arsenal have been ‘impressed’ by Cunha’s performances this season, leading the club to monitor his situation heading into the transfer window.
That being said, it is understood that Wolves would be far from willing to part ways with the 25-year-old midway through the 2024/25 campaign, although one scenario could alter the Brazil international’s availability.
While Wolves are relishing the impact of new manager Vitor Pereira, the Midlands side remain threatened by relegation, which could impact Cunha’s future.
The Athletic note that an ‘opportunity could present itself’ were Wolves relegated in May, which is something for the Gunners to eye.
Cunha just tore Manchester United apart
Arsenal have been linked to Cunha before, with the forward being a crucial part of Wolves’ set-up since his resurgence during the 2023/24 season.
The 25-year-old quickly went from a forward unable to score to a free-roaming number ten who can’t stay away from the goals.
Cunha added two to his tally of goal contributions this campaign on Boxing Day against Manchester United, where he scored and assisted against Ruben Amorim’s side.
First, the Arsenal target scored directly from a corner kick to stun the Red Devils before selflessly setting up Wolves’ second to win the game.
Arteta would have surely been watching what the attacker did to Arsenal’s rivals, in what was a stellar audition for the Brazilian star.
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