Matheus Cunha is “committed” to Wolves and will not be sold this January, according to Vitor Pereira.

Cunha has been linked with an exit from the West Midlands club this month, with Arsenal and Nottingham Forest among the sides to show an interest. Speculation increased earlier this week when Cunha was criticised by head coach Pereira for the body language he displayed during Wolves’ 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, and Pereira stated he will not be so understanding should his captain react like that again.

Cunha has yet to sign a new deal with Wolves, but Pereira says he has had talks with the Brazilian about his behaviour and understands the forward has no plans to leave the club. He said: “I have had a conversation with him and he is very committed to us. He never asked me to leave the club. He wants to help the team, be with us, to be with us tomorrow to try and win the game.

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“He knows what I want from him as a captain. We had a conversation and everything is solid, he’s ready for the game.

“He’s my player, he’s not for sale, this is information from the club. He’s committed to us and what we need from him. He’s an important player for us.”

Pereira started his Wolves journey with two wins and a draw but has since lost three successive games against Forest, Newcastle and Chelsea, conceding three in each. Wolves now face another tricky test as they prepare to entertain Arsenal in the middle of a run that Pereira describes as a “storm”.

He said: “Tomorrow is a chance to compete, to win the game and a chance XI v XI against a strong team. I like to see courage as a person and as a player. I like to look in the eyes of my players and their eyes are on fire for the game. This is the team I want to see tomorrow, a team that really believe they can win the game.”

The Gunners have been particularly impressive from set pieces while Wolves have been exposed several times in their ability to defend them. Pereira admitted his side have highlighted set plays in the build-up to the game.

He said: “I have a lot of people thinking about it and set pieces is a part of the game we work a lot to improve and we will see. We try to do it tomorrow and today we will work again on set pieces.”