The Cunha Premier League brings back ‘great momentum’ for visitors

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil said Matheus Cunha is “feeling very good” and is in contention for his side’s trip to Arsenal after making a swift return from a hamstring injury on the club’s pre-season tour of the US.

Brazilian Cunha scored 14 goals in 36 games last season and could be key to Wolves’ chances of ending a six-game losing streak against Arsenal when they kick off their 2023-24 Premier League campaign at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (3pm BST).

“It’s okay Cunha – he’s ready to go,” said O’Neil. “He worked hard to come back as quickly as he did. He feels so good.

“He had a good week in training. He is trained every day on grass, so there is no worry around him. It inspires us a lot.”

🇧🇷😁 pic.twitter.com/y7y6Js8OP4

– Wolves (@Wolves) August 15, 2024

Wolves are in a ‘good place’ vs Arsenal

Despite being appointed just five days before the start of the campaign and losing his first five top flight games in charge, O’Neil guided Wolves to a comfortable 14th place finish in his first season at Molineux.

Wolves have been in contention for European qualification, but have lost seven and drawn just one of their last ten league games, and missed out on an FA Cup semi-final with a late defeat at home to second-tier Coventry City.

“We had a really good pre-season,” said the former Bournemouth manager. “The boys are in a very good mood, they understand what we are trying to do.

“We are in a good place; we are ready to go and give a good account of ourselves. I love being here, I’ve loved every minute of my year, and I’m looking forward to doing everything I can with everything we have here and how we’re trying to move forward. “

Opening day at the Emirates 🔜 pic.twitter.com/5CNuZ14kz9

– Wolves (@Wolves) August 15, 2024

Wolves vs Arsenal team news

Wideman Nelson Semedo is suspended from the Wolves squad, so either Matt Doherty or 18-year-old new signing Pedro Lima could step in after impressing for O’Neil in pre-season.

O’Neil said the club had prepared for the departure of defender Max Kilman to West Ham and defender Pedro Neto to Chelsea.

“The team had a plan and two important things that will come out were foreseen – we had a reasonable idea that it would happen in advance,” he explained.

“You never want to lose your best players but there was always concern [Neto leaving] later, so the fact that it was done earlier is helpful for us.”