The Premier League is underway, with Manchester United taking down Fulham 1-0 in the Premier League last night. Arsenal are scheduled to play Wolves in their first game of the season later today. Mikel Arteta’s side will be hoping to get off to a winning start to set the right tone for the campaign.
Wolves will be keen to spoil Arsenal’s party, with Gary O’Neil pulling out all stops to ensure this happens. The English football manager has done a great job at Molineux since taking over, with the team metamorphosing into different tactical setups throughout his time here. Regardless of what formation he uses, the principles remain the same.
Matheus Cunha asses fitness test for Wolves
One headache ahead of the Arsenal clash for Wolves was the fitness of star striker Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian has been a key part of Gary O’Neil’s setup but suffered a hamstring injury during the Old Gold’s tour of the United States, leaving fans concerned so close to the start of the season.
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However, the English manager has offered an update on the 25-year-old’s fitness. Cunha is expected to be available for the Arsenal game, and here is what the coach had to say.
“Cunha is fine and raring to go. He’s worked hard to get back, and he’s feeling very good. There’s no concern around him, which is a big boost for us.”
What does this mean for Arsenal?
If Cunha is fit enough to start, he should slot straight into the forward line alongside Hwang Hee-Chan. It doesn’t change Arsenal’s plans, though, as Mikel Arteta would set his team up in a structure that he wants them to attack in, and that isn’t going to change irrespective of what the Wolves do.
Gabriel and Saliba will have to be more attentive, as Cunha is an evasive customer to deal with. He has a very mean shot and knows where the back of the net is. However, Arsenal will be hoping to dominate the game enough to ensure that the Brazilian is shut out of the game in an attacking sense.
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Arsenal are one of the best Premier League teams currently, and we must be dictating how the game flows. Thus, what the opposition does is unlikely to affect our tactical setup. If we want to be the best, we need to be ready to compete against the very best, and facing Cunha should only motivate the Gunners players to do better.
Let’s hope Mikel Arteta’s side gets off to a winning start in a campaign from which big things are expected of them. Only time will tell us how this game works, but we cannot be more excited.
