Matheus Cunha is one of Wolves’ most important players, but fans watched on concerned recently as he picked up an injury in the club’s pre-season game with West Ham United.
The Brazilian had a lively start to that game, scoring in the opening stages after good work by new signing Jorgen Strand Larsen.
But his evening in Jacksonville was short-lived, because Cunha hobbled off after half an hour to be replaced by Hwang Hee-chan.
It was confirmed afterwards that Cunha had suffered a hamstring injury.
It is the second one he has suffered this year, after the former Atletico Madrid man missed a handful of games for Wolves after going off against Brentford on February 10.
Cunha has been doubtful for the opening game with Arsenal, but Gary O’Neil said he was optimistic he will not be out for too long. Now, journalist Liam Keen has dropped a fresh injury update on the player.
Matheus Cunha highly unlikely to feature in Wolves’ first Premier League game vs Arsenal
Opening games do not come much tougher than Arsenal away.
The Gunners ran Manchester City very close to the Premier League title last season, and are quite obviously a top side.
They did the double over Wolves last season, and it will undoubtedly be tough to get points at the Emirates.
The task will be even harder if O’Neil cannot call on Cunha.
And sadly, it is looking like the Brazilian will really struggle to play in that opening game, with Liam Keen offering an update via the latest E&S podcast.
He said: “Slightly new bit of information around this injury is that Cunha has spent the last week or so over in Brazil. He’s gone back there to relax and recuperate considering the fact it’s been a tough pre-season and then picking up an injury of this nature.
“He’s back in England now at Compton. The players have been back in this week.
“With that new information, I think it’s relatively safe to say – and we will ask Gary about it on the next opportunity to see him – it’s pretty much safe to say he won’t be playing at Arsenal. I’d be very surprised.
“That might change once we speak to Gary. After the Vallecano game, we might have a different answer to that, but it seems at this moment unlikely.”
Keen reiterates that the injury is not serious and that it will not be a long-term lay-off for Cunha.
A big blow for Wolves
This is not the news Wolves fans were hoping for, and it now looks like O’Neil will have to consider alternative options for that first game with Arsenal.
Cunha has become a very big player for Wolves so he will be sorely missed down in north London, assuming that he cannot play as is now expected.
But Wolves do still have some talented alternatives.
Pablo Sarabia or Jean-Ricner Bellegarde could operate in the number 10 role, and whoever doesn’t could perhaps play on the wing.
It is also possible that O’Neil could go with a three-man midfield of Mario Lemina, Joao Gomes and Tommy Doyle, with Strand Larsen leading the line.