When Olivier Giroud was struggling for fitness, and Nicklas Bendner and Theo Walcott were both ruled out with injuries, Arsene Wenger said he has faith in Lukas Podolski to deliver the goods and lead the line.
However, before Giroud made his comeback on Monday night against Aston Villa, Podolski only managed to get 64 minutes of action out of a possible 270.
The German forward’s stats thus far this season reads six appearances in total made (four in the Premier League – two as a starter) and three goals scored – that’s a goal every other game.
Since joining Arsenal in 2012 from FC Koln, although naturally a striker, Wenger has played the 28-year-old on the left side of the front three. But recently he has even struggled to reclaim this position. Podolski has, by the looks of it, fallen further down the pecking order for the left wing role, with the likes of Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and even 33-year-old Tomas Rosciky ahead of him, all of which are primarily more effective in the centre of midfield or behind the striker.
To our delight, Alex Oxalde-Chamberlain returned to the first-team after recovering from a long-term injury and was placed on the bench alongside Podolski for the game against at Villa Park.
But in the final stages of the Villa game, The German international seemed to hint at his frustration of the lack of game time he is currently receiving after Wenger opted to put Chamberlain on instead of Podolski, who zipped up his jacket in dismay and shook his head at the Frenchman’s decision.
Podolski was not happy with his lack of game time last season and was linked with a move away from the Emirates as a result. The German, however, decided to stay and prove to Wenger he should be starting more matches for Arsenal.
But we are already in the second-half of the season and nothing has changed for Podolski. In fact, he has seen less action than he did last season!
I just don’t get why he can’t get a game at the moment as he is a serious threat when going forward and clearly a fan favourite.
I don’t particularly know what Wenger has planned for Podolski this season, but the striker clearly isn’t happy which could lead to a problem for the boss in the near future. If Wenger isn’t careful then he could risk losing him at the end of the season, and I wouldn’t blame or begrudge Podolski if he were to hand in a written transfer request over the summer if things don’t change for him.
Whos Oliver Biroud?
Podolski hasn’t always taken his chances when presented with them. He has played the main striker role about 5 times or so since coming and hasn’t impressed even once.
Wenger will have his reasons and I trust in his judgement.
I suspect the main reason why Ox was chosen over Lukas is that given Walcotts’ out for the rest of the season it is imperative that Ox is given as much pitch time as possible to get him up to speed, a combo of ox and Gnabry on the right hand side until May (unless another more senior name is brought in for that position but I’m doubtful) and may the best man make the position his.
Also I think Lukas is coming back from a really bad hamstring tear that Wenger must be wary of. Arsenal will need experienced heads for the run in and Lukas will have a massive say and will get many opportunities absolutely no doubt about it. He just needs to keep positive and be patient.
Mr Wenger is no longer a good manager,he is failing to manage his players the way Jose and manchester city coaches do.Grioud is the worst centre forward to play for gunners but the guy is his favourite.Shame
Arsenal has very slight or zero chance of winning the league under Mr Wenger.
The same Jose who has failed to get the best out of Juan Mata? the same Jose who fell out with CR7 and 80% of Madrid team? jog on with your nonsense mate!
Really? Giroud is the worst centre forward to play for gunners??, so by that you’d prefer Bendtner up front instead or them not to have got rid of Chamakh and instead got rid of Giroud.
Austin, You are cluless, Wenger is a fantatic manager, and has a great insight on how to get the best from the players. What are you doing on an Arsenal blog, with your stupid opinion.
Thanks, I actually thought am the only one that knows this fact.. Even chamakh at his worst was better than giroud
Can you write something without Wenger Wenger Wenger in it
There was no need for Podoski in that match. Remeber Gnarby was replaced by Rosicky and what was need to replace him was someone on the right and Ox was more appropriate. Before then Gibbs had come in for Monreal and one other change had been made.
He should wait for the appropriate time and when given he should efectively utilise it.
We still have 17 league games plus F.A Cup and CL football to play Podolski will get his turn so I don’t see why there is so much fuss.
Podolski is a serious goal threat coming in from the left and should now get more game time. He isn’t as good on the ball as Cazorla but it’s goals we need at the moment with Walcott out. Cazorla was poor against Villa as was Ozil and it’s important to drop players when necessary in order to have competition.
I think Arsene Wenger should give Lucas Podoski more opportunity to play as he has proven to be a good scorer with powerful shot. I just do not understand why Wenger is keeping him on the bench all the time , no wonder most of the good players get frustrated and decide to leave the club.
I believe posses a group of excellent players and every player should be given a chance to play by rotating them.
Lucas Podoski is a good striker so please give him a chance to show his ability on the field.
Podo is goal machine and we need him and also we need other gunners players too, podo jst came out of intury jst like ox too, so rotating them is the best thing and good feelings for us , for so long we was not hving it so , now that we hv any players to choose wenger should make good use of them, and player should also be patient.