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Wolves v Arsenal: Nuno’s building brick by brick

Nuno Espirito Santo is sticking with the ‘brick by brick’ approach as his Wolves charges aim to fulfil grand ambitions and topple another big team.

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Wolves have developed a knack of frightening the Premier League’s top six – and owners Fosun have made no secret of their desire for Nuno and Co to become one of the elite.

Fifth-placed Arsenal are the side visiting Molineux tonight, and a win over them would be a huge boost in the race for seventh and a possible Europa League chance.

But Nuno is not at all focused on what might be – because then you lose sight of what is in front of you.

“The owners want to compete against the better teams, to make the club grow and become one big club,” he said.

“Wolves is a fantastic club, but it was the best club in the world in the 50s and 60s.

“We know now that it is more difficult to achieve this target, but the ambition is there.

“In the same way, it’s a growing process. It’s step by step. We share the same ideas, of course, but day by day is when you build things.

“How do you build something, build a house? It’s brick by brick.

“You start with the foundation, and now we’re in the second year together.

“It’s a day-by-day plan. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. Nobody knows.”

And Nuno, who also said you cannot install an express elevator to the top floor, joked: “I don’t know which floor it means (we’re at now).”

Nuno’s day-by-day, game-by-game mantra has prevented him from being drawn on a possible European campaign.

Seventh would see them get a spot in the Europa League qualifiers if Manchester City win the FA Cup.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are looking to sneak into fourth and qualify for the Champions League.

But many expect Wolves to get something, having already beaten Manchester United and Chelsea in the league at Molineux.

Toppling the big boys: Wolves beat Man United earlier this month (AMA)

They drew 1-1 at the Emirates in November too.

On that general feeling Wolves will give the Gunners a real run for their money, Nuno added: “It’s because of the players and the way they work, the way they have been since day one – a really tight unit.

“We are ready. Telling me that playing against bigger clubs increases our motivation is not true though.

“What we look at is a new game, a new challenge. It’s a compliment to all the players because they have achieved nice things together. We’re just here to help them.”

Wolves have no injury worries going into the encounter.

Leander Dendoncker is expected to come back into midfield for 19-year-old Morgan Gibbs-White though.

Likely Wolves XI (3-5-2): Patricio; Bennett, Coady (c), Boly; Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Moutinho, Otto; Jimenez, Jota