43 WOLVES AT THE DOOR
Matt’s Arsenal warning
MATT Doherty has rapped out a warning to stuttering Arsenal, saying: “We’ve taken plenty of big scalps this season.”
As the Gunners head to the Black Country, aiming to breathe fresh life into a Premier League title campaign that has taken a severe knock due to the defeat by Aston Villa last week, the Ireland international sounded a note of caution for Mikel Arteta’s men.
The north Londoners’ defeat in midweek to Bayern Munich in the Champions League has heaped further pressure on them and a trip to Molineux, where they have lost twice in their last five visits, is no gimme.
Doherty said: “It’s obviously a big game, they still have a lot to play for.
“I’m not sure exactly what their record is coming to Molineux but I’m pretty certain they never have it that easy.
“It will be another tough game for them.
“Wolves have always taken scalps. We’ve beaten Chelsea twice this season, we’ve taken Man City, Spurs twice.
“For as long as I can remember we’ve always been capable of doing stuff like that.
“They’re going for the title – but it’s not going to be easy for them.”
Although on the face of it, Wolves have little to play for this season, the 32-year-old says the notion that Gary O’Neil’s side are ‘on the beach’ is far removed from the truth.
He said: “I think that’s a myth. I don’t know if that has actually happened for anyone mentally.
“I don’t know of any club, or any management staff that would ever allow that.
“I know some results at the end of the season can make people think, but that’s never the case.
“You’re always playing for something, whether it’s finishing in a certain position to earn more points and more financial incentives, we’re always playing for something.
“Every point matters – every position you finish in the league matters to us.”
Boosted
O’Neil’s men have been boosted by the return of the strikers that served them so well in the first half of the campaign.
Hee-Chan Hwang made an appearance from the bench during last week’s 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest.
And Matheus Cunha, starting his first game following a hamstring injury, announced his return with a superb solo goal as part of the brace that ensured a point.
Doherty added: “Obviously, we’ve had a lot of injuries but a few of the lads are coming back now and we can see the difference they make.
“We’ve done pretty well considering the players missing – and Matheus was one of them.
“His first goal last week…I don’t know anyone else on the pitch who could have scored a goal like that.
“It looked like he was in a dead end about three times and yet he managed to wriggle his way out and then put it in the top corner. “His quality is unbelievable. “I don’t know if he’s an outand-out nine – I don’t even know if he wants to be an out-and-out nine.
“I think he’s more someone who likes to drop in and get on the ball – personally, I see him more as a No 10 or someone who plays either side of a main striker. “I’ve been fortunate to have played with a lot of quality players and he’s one of them.”