The piece in question reads far more like a piece of sensationalised football fan fiction than a genuine news report or authentic interview.
Several details stand out as clear signs that this is not a credible source of information.
First, there is no traceable, trustworthy origin for these quotes allegedly from Matheus Cunha. No respected football journalism outlet — whether it be BBC Sport, Sky Sports, The Athletic, ESPN, or Fabrizio Romano — has reported him making such statements.
For a remark this bold, particularly one where a Premier League forward openly singles out an opponent as his most feared challenge, the football media would have quickly picked it up. The complete absence of coverage from reputable sources is a strong red flag.
Second, the writing style itself gives away its likely origin. Real sports reporting tends to be factual, direct, and concise.
This article, however, uses dramatic, novel-like language that seems designed to stir emotion rather than convey verified information.
Phrases like “the nightmare that still haunts Cunha” or “turn the Brazilian’s afternoon into a nightmare” read like they were pulled from a piece of creative writing rather than a match preview from an actual journalist.
This is a hallmark of clickbait-style football fan pages, which often exaggerate events or invent dialogues to boost engagement.
Third, even if Cunha had praised William Saliba in the build-up to their clash, reputable outlets would have presented the remarks without unnecessary embellishment.
For instance, they might simply state: “Cunha acknowledged Saliba’s quality, calling him one of the toughest defenders he has faced” — and then move on to match context and tactical implications.
They would not construct an elaborate backstory or fictional “haunting” of a past encounter.
It’s also worth noting that real player interviews are almost always conducted either through official club media channels, post-match flash interviews, press conferences, or sanctioned one-on-ones with journalists.
The quoted passage here does not fit the style or tone of any of those formats. Instead, it appears to be fabricated dialogue, crafted to paint a dramatic hero-versus-villain narrative between Cunha and Saliba.
Given all these signs, it is far more likely that this piece is fan-created hype designed to generate reactions ahead of the Arsenal–Wolves fixture, rather than a genuine interview.
If Cunha did comment on Saliba or Arsenal, those remarks would be on record in established media sources and presented in a more professional, less sensational way.
If we truly want to confirm whether Cunha has made any authentic comments about Saliba or the upcoming match, the logical step would be to check the latest press briefings, official interviews, and coverage from credible football news outlets.
That will separate fact from fiction and reveal whether there’s a real story — or just another viral fantasy.
