Matheus Cunha v Arsenal

What did gooners make of Matheus Cunha’s performance against us?

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s search for a new striker in this transfer window has been extensive, with links to numerous players both overseas and in England. One of those targets closer to home is Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian forward, currently at Wolves, has been on our radar for some time, with interest reportedly predating the start of this window. It’s easy to see why he’s garnered attention—Cunha is a quality player who has shone in an otherwise struggling Wolves side for much of the campaign. His technical ability and attacking awareness have allowed him to produce impressive numbers this season, boasting 10 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League. It’s no surprise that a host of top clubs, including us, are vying for his signature.

However, when evaluating his profile from the moment we were linked to him, I’ve never been convinced he’s the player we truly need, despite his excellent numbers. Comparing him to someone already in our squad, Gabriel Jesus is perhaps the closest match in terms of playing style, and this is where my reservations arise. A player of Cunha’s profile doesn’t address our current needs. Although he is often linked to us as a striking option, at Wolves, he rarely plays as an out-and-out striker. His best position is typically as a second striker or an advanced number ten.

Matheus Cunha arriving for Arsenal game
(Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

When we faced Wolves this past weekend, we were likely watching him closely. While his performance was far from poor, it wasn’t particularly striking either—not that we wanted him to score against us! For me, his display didn’t scream “transformational striker” that could significantly elevate our side.

That said, given the quality of the team he’s playing for, Cunha might deserve the benefit of the doubt. Playing in a struggling Wolves side could be limiting his ability to showcase his full potential, and perhaps that’s a factor worth considering.

Thoughts of the headline Gooners!? 

BENJAMIN KENNETH


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17 Comments

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  1. Nothing special, because he didn’t show any good hold-up play and a bag of tricks

    I’d be surprised if Arsenal recruit him, especially when Jonathan David is available for a much cheaper price and probably Vlahovic as well

    1. Jonathan David would be an excellent acquisition. A better goal return this season than Vlahovic or Sesko (albeit in Ligue 1) a native English speaker, a fantastic work ethic, and an Arsenal Fan. I don’t really know what else we could hope for!

      Vlahovic could arguably be considered a more natural goal scorer and perhaps more gifted player, but we all know what Arteta wants from his team and David better suits those requirements.

      1. Yeah, David has been productively making goals and assists this season for Lille

        He seems to be a decent high-presser and good in hold-up play based on his YouTube highlights, but maybe his overweight looks deter top European teams from recruiting him

  2. It’s looking like we won’t sign any striker.

    6 days to go and no news about anyone.

    The window should just come to an end fast and the season as well.

    1. As far as I’m concerned, we aren’t even signing any defender either.

      The other midfield talent we are sometimes told we are competing with City for ……. how do we compete with a club that’s already made numerous serious buys on our watch? How does that target believe we are seriously considering him and that he should ignore City?

      Chances, we aren’t bringing home anyone home this time – may 1 addition in summer. We are doing better than City now, may be that what was our main objective for the current season and we are so far doing well at it.

    2. Arsenal love to do last-minute transfers on the deadline day, because of the price haggling

      Remember about Ozil, Welbeck, Arteta and Luiz deals

      I wouldn’t be surprised if we end up with a new CF on the last day of January, because we won’t be able to rely on Havertz alone

      1. @Gai, like I have said before, what happens if Havertz get injured?
        If Arsenal board fails to sign an attacker this January it’s an indication of lack of ambition to win a trophy this season. The board seem to have a vision/target of Arsenal qualifying for another UCL.
        It’s getting more clearer Arteta would be around longer than the fans thought as long as he can over-see next season a UCL.
        I have never been in support of a top FC like Arsenal signing a low profile CF.i want nothing other than VGyokeres, Isak, Vlahovic, VOsimehin & BSesko

  3. Not good enough! Didn’t see anything to make me want him at Arsenal. We are better off going for someone like Mbuemo.. but he will probably be too expensive or Brentford unwilling to sell. I would love to have Marcus Rashford! I love his pace, crossing and shooting. He is available and will be cheaper (Amorim desperately wants him out so £20-25M should do it) and Arsenal is only 1 of the few clubs that can afford him. We can fund his transfer with Zinchenko going to Atletico/Dortmund at around same price.

  4. I would never trade Martinelli for Cunha in a million years, ever. I would consider Kudus, who’s a more technically gifted player but as we know, Arteta has issues with AFCON players. He could have gone for Baleka instead of Merino, but no he’s AFCON.

  5. For Cunha it’s a NO for me he’s not better than our present not thriving attackers. When is Arsenal going to get a 20 goals plus striker for the team. Yet to get a lethal CF till date. Waiting for the last day to do it is not really to avoid bidding price competition, it’s all about not coming to terms to the dire need of the club, lacking how to really go for it and the precision in effecting or getting it done in time. It’s not really a function of price after all how much did Arsenal pay for Gab. Jesus and how much did Man.City pay for Harland, how much did Arsenal pay for Kai Havertz and how much did New Castle payed for Ipsak or Aston Villa spent on O. Waltkin. If I may ask what’s Raheem Sterling doing in Arsenal, what have been his contributions so far or he came to add weight to himself in Arsenal? The dead line business has not been the best.

  6. Whilst he is clearly a talented player, he may not be a personality fit and I don’t think he would want to be pushed out on to the Left Wing position. He also isn’t a huge upgrade on the players we already have, so it’s a no from me.

  7. I have watched Cunha’s other games. The guy is good. He played 8, 10 etc. Much more clinical and better at free kicks, corners. The only drawback is that we are looking for a CF and he’s not a CF

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