Reports have been circulating in the media for the past few weeks now about a certain Polish-born German footballer being linked with Arsenal.
The reports have gone as far as stating that the man in question has undergone a medical at London Colney. But this sounds absurd as we are yet to enter the off-season that heralds the opening of the transfer window.
The player is none other than German international Lukas Podolski.
It’s safe to say that the 26-year-old has endured some ups and downs in his career so far. Having starred successfully for Germany in World Cup 2006, playing as a shadow striker behind Miroslav Klose and tying with the likes of Thierry Henry, David Villa and Hernan Crespo (to name but a few) for the silver boot award with three goals and also winning the tournaments Best Young Player award ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, Podolski sealed a move to Bayern Munich, where enjoyed mixed success with the Bavarian club.
Now back at FC Koln, the forward is the subject of a £10 million transfer to Arsenal this summer. A report Arsene Wenger has refused to deny, despite his quiet stance and nature about transfer dealings.
Podolski no doubt will be a great addition to the present Arsenal squad as there is only one prolific and consistent striker in the Gunners’ ranks at the moment.
The German has notched up 95 caps for his country, scoring 43 goals in the process. Hearing about Poldo’s proposed transfer was a little surprising for me, as this player is not very dissimilar from our talisman and club captain Robin van Persie. He is a left-footed player, has great technique, pace, and a piercing eye for goal. He also packs one hell of a shot, as well as a football brain. He is creative and versatile enough to play across the front three of Arsenal’s line-up.
With almost similar qualities to that of Van Persie, coupled with our style of playing with a lone striker, it is of immense interest on how this German ace will be deployed by Wenger. Having Podo play for Arsenal can take different forms.
Firstly, Wenger can decide to play this man wide left or wide right, meaning more competition for Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Yossi Benayoun (if he is still here next season), Andrey Arshavin (if he is not offloaded in the summer), Ryo Miyaichi (if he is not sent out on loan again) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
If rvp stays i expect he will primarily be the left forward and walcott the right. however should we sign mvila you might see us play 4132 with podolski partnering rvp. i think podolski wont be the only signing. i believe he has been brought in as replacement for arshavin and i also think replacements will be brought in for benayoun chamakh and possibly park meaning 4 forwards in total. the cost of these could be further offset by selling/releasing 3 more forwards bendtner vela and murphy. so 7 out benayoun arshavin park chamakh vela bendtner murphy and 4 in podolski suarez giroud and hazard or hoilett. Add those 4 to rvp walcott gervinho chamberlain and ryo and we will have a proper strike force. midfield mvila song coquelin wilshire arteta ramsey rosicky diaby and one of lansbury eisfeld holtby belhanda sessengnon. defence sagna jenkinson santos gibbs mertesacker djourou koscielny vermaelen bartley to be joined by isla and vertonghen
Wenger will use him when RVP xxxxs off to Barca or somewhere else for much more loot and much more chance of winning anything.
Did we all watch Chelski beat Barca 1 .. 0 this evening ? How much better would AFC be with a thing called tactics ? But of course Wenger doesn’t do tactics. He has this obsession with his personal team playing his personal more beautiful football than the oppos.
Only a spud would talk like this, f*** off to your pathetic team
Chris, you really do have a selective memory dont you?
Who was it beat them 2-1 at home and then had a farcical decision by a homer referee that saw RVP sent off in the second league?
Arsene Wenger’s and all true Gooners Arsenal of course…please dont tell me that Barca played us off the park…look at tonights stats.
Chlsea played exactly the same way as Arsenal did, playing on the break.
By the way, where are Chelskie in the league? How many points behind us?
Lets see what happens Saturday shall we?
Keep being positive mate, thats what we need supporters like you!!!!
Yes it would be great if we can beat Chelsea. But that is not my point. My distress is we so ill use our resources : selections, subs, transfers, tactics.
AW himself has said he does not worry too much about tactics / opposition – ” let the opposition worry about Arsenal.” This is how the oppos always know exactly how we will play. Probably no other team in the EPL adopts this attitude which is a big handicap.
We all remember RVPs unfair sending off at Barca (and how Bendtner could have nicked it near the end!) I also remember Barca taking us apart in the 1st half, getting in behind our defence over and over again. This was often because of our high line without pressure on the ball (plus Barc’s ability). Barca should have been 4 up by half time but missed their own chances.
Similarly it showed at Milan this season … we simply did not have a plan B. and most supporters know it.
Too many narks imitating Arsenal fans everywhere.
They were bloody quiet for a while,but a loss sees them desert the ship like the rats they are.
Go,follow another club,we don’t care and we certainly won’t miss you.
Having just aired my views on wingers and long crosses I can`t see him being played wide with any great result. If what we read is true he would be much better employed in the middle either with or just behind RVP. My reading of the situation is that he has been brought in to score goals so either he goes up front and RVP goes back to his old role of second striker or the other way about.