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Why Podolski would suit Arsenal

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News coming from Germany suggests Arsenal have secured the services of FC Koln striker Lukas Podolski for a fee of £10.9 million.

The German international will reportedly sign a four-year contract worth £100,000 a week.

Judging by his wages it looks like he’s going to be an important player for the team in the future, but just how well will the 26-year-old forward fit in to the Arsenal’s line-up?

With our current formation set at a 4-2-3-1, Podolski can really only play on the left wing, which he is capable of doing, but I would rather have him partner our captain upfront in a 4-4-2 formation.

The German has a powerful left foot and isn’t afraid to fire one in from a distance and has great accuracy, scoring from tight angles. He is also physically capable of adapting to the Premier League as he is quick and strong on and off the ball. Podolski would certainly add steel to the team, which we have lacked over the past few seasons. With him in the squad our physical presence on the pitch will be much more effective and powerful.

His current record this season is 16 goals in 22 games for FC Koln and is the third top scorer in the Bundesliga, the two above him are level on 18 goals.

FC Koln sit 14th in the table, so to achieve his tally of goals he currently has is very impressive. From the 2008/09 season onwards, he has scored 30+ goals in each of the seasons for both club and country.

The only thing I would doubt about Podolski is his mental strength which might hurt his adaptation to the club. I think all the quality is there and he will certainly suit the team very well. But as previously with Bayern Munich he couldn’t really take his spot in the starting line-up permanently and gave some disappointing performances at times. So his problems may have occurred due to being at a bigger club. He has been successful at FC Koln as he is loved there. Arriving at a new club and new country where he can’t speak the language may well hinder his adaptation.

But quality wise I think he has it all and will be a great addition to the team. His style will certainly suit that of the Gunners nicely and he would also add strength to the squad, but only if he is able to adapt mentally to the English game.

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11 comments

  • WC says:

    Why does everyone keep saying that because he failed at Bayern that there’s some question around him of his “mental strength”? Guess what? Miroslav Klose failed miserably at Bayern too but his scoring record at Bremen and now Lazio shows that maybe Bayern just wasn’t for him. Bayern is not the end all, be all of football for German players – unfortunately they’ve been bred to believe hat though. Ibra didn’t exactly do so hot at Barca either – can you really doubt his quality? His attitude and ego aside, from a pure footballing point of view he’s still one of the best strikers in the world. Not doing well at oen club, even if it is a big club, doesn’t mean you can’t make it at another. It’s simply a matter of club culture and personnel.

  • James says:

    I think and hope we’ll use Podolski to Van Persie’s left as part of a 3 man frontline, with Gervinho or Oxlade-Chamberlain to the right in a slightly deeper position.

  • Mog says:

    He does speak English

  • Naijagooner says:

    I heard wenger in his press conference saying he can play anywear in the front 3

  • Naijagooner says:

    I heard wenger in his last press conference saying he can play anywear in the front 3

  • Paul says:

    Hay guys just thought I would shed some light on this situation as I’ve been telling most bloggers today my best friend is the dietition at FC KOLN and has worked with podolski for about 4 yrs he told me arsenal was interested in him last august, we spoke a week ago and told me lukas has told him that a deal with arsenal has been done and will be announced officially at the end of the season, thanks for reading guys!!!!!! COME ON U GOONERS!!!

  • Lev says:

    i can only see him playing in a 442

    • WC says:

      Why? You realize he plays a similar 4-3-3 for Germany with a main striker in Klose or Gomez leading the line while Poldi and Muller flanks so why can’t he play with RVP up front with Poldi on the left and Theo or The Ox or Gerv on the other side? How is that any different?

  • Liam says:

    He plays wide left for national team front three of podolski Gomez muller and still got a goal every 2 games. I dont think wenger will change style as he likes to play 3 in middle of park to dominate possesion. He will be on our left but also cover rvp in centre when required

  • El says:

    Can we have another photo of Podolski or is he too embarrassed to take a photo mug

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