Should Arsenal accept £15m for this talented forward?
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Arsenal’s disappointment this season, has been Arsene Wenger’s treatment (mistreatment) of one of his most recent signings, Lukas Podolski.
Whilst Olivier Giroud continues to frustrate fans on a regular basis, Podolski spends a lot of time on the bench and often comes on towards the end of a game. If he starts a game, he rarely makes it past 60 minutes.
It’s not like the German doesn’t merit additional game-time. He’s been a bright spot in an otherwise blotted copybook for Arsenal this year. He formed a good partnership with Kieran Gibbs (before his injury), shows great acceleration getting down the wings, is probably the best crosser of the ball at the club and one of the best finishers too (who can rival him, Theo? Giroud? Surely not!)
What’s more, he’s got character. He won’t get bullied and he’ll step up when necessary. He has scored some important goals this season, along with some spectacular ones (his goal against Montpellier stands out). So, why does he spend less time on the pitch than the likes of Olivier Giroud?
You get the feeling that something’s going on behind the scenes. That Wenger’s aware of injury troubles that we’re not (indeed, Podolski has an injury issue at the moment – is this something he’s been holding all season?)
If I could sum this all up, I’d say that Podolski has impressed this season, but still has more to offer. That, to me, is pretty exciting.
It was a little strange, then, to see ClubCall claim that Lukas Podolski could move on this summer (just 12 months after his initial move), following interest from Juventus and Atletico Madrid.
They do note that it would take at least £15m to persuade Arsenal to sell (that’s a £4.1m raise on what Arsenal originally paid) and yet this still seems unlikely.
Podolski is one of a limited number of world-class players at Arsenal. It doesn’t make sense for him to move on just yet. After all, could Arsenal really bring in a player of his quality for the price they’ll sell him at? I’m not convinced.
The main reason I don’t see this deal going ahead, is that Podolski will still feel he has something to prove in the Premier League. I’m sure his failed Bayern Munich move still eats away at him, and he’ll be keen to ensure that his time in England is a success and that he comes away with his reputation in tact.
With that in mind, I expect Lukas Podolski to be an Arsenal player for some time to come.
What’s your take? Should Lukas Podolski move on this summer?
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March 17th, 2013
?????????????????????????????????????G?????? M?????? gunners fanz,left to ????????? alone ?? believe arsene wenger ????§ running ? private business with giroud ??f not ?? don’t §????????????? any reason why wenger would use him when lucas podolski ????§ there,?? want wenger to replace podolski wit giroud & §????????????? †?? result,podolski ????§ strong & he plays his ball with perfect accuracy compelled to giroud that ????§ lazy & not energetic & he plays his ball ??k?????? ? W?????õM?????? that’s Ju????????????????? †?? basic truth
March 17th, 2013
Giroud should go out & podolski should replace him,?? believe W??????????? ?i?? get positive results,pls help ????????? †???????? wenger to put ????t to test
March 17th, 2013
I think you touched on the point that Lucus may be nursing an injury, and i believe that this is the true reeson we have not sen nore of him. Its defo not because Wenger does not want to give him more game time.
I have been to a few matches this season and i noticed at around 57-60 minute Lucus would start to look at Wenger even make signs that he wanted to come off. Im happy for him to do that if it ricks him getting seriously injured , let him get a breather and next season he should be on fire!
Plus the story may have some legs from Juventus , but NOOOOOO way is he leaving! I totally believe Lucus loves Arsenal! He is happy here with 4 other Germans in are ranks, and Wenger understanding his injury niggles its a perfect place for him, and long may it last.
LUCUS PODOLSKI IS A TRUE GOONER! trust me,
March 17th, 2013
Podolski premier league stats:
started 21 of 29
Sub appearance 4 of 8
For a player who had two minor injuries and a European championship that’s pretty damn utilised.
Check ur facts u muppet.
I find girouds 14 goals and 11 assists so far to be NOT frustrating in the slightest.
There’s nothing going on behind the scenes… Giroud and podolski play different positions so are not in direct competition anyway.
Check ur facts
March 17th, 2013
I think it’s high time Lucas get a maximum time to display his talent at this beloved club cos I know he still have a lot to offer
March 17th, 2013
I think it’s high time Lucas get a maximum time to display his talent at this beloved club cos I know he still have a lot to offer Arsenal, He just needs more playing time and I don’t like the rumour move outta the club though it’s the work of the press.
March 17th, 2013
Countless speculation about players are published most of which turn out to have been based on thin air. I agree this one about Lucas leaving Arsenal looks like one of them. If, as speculated by this post, Lucas has been nursing an injury, unknown to us onlookers, it would be wrong, indeed unfair, to blame his relative less playing time than a player like Giroud on Wenger. This is more so as there seems to be no report of the player complaining of insufficient/inadequate playing time. This is in contradistinction to the case of one time reported Arsenal target, Sahin, who went instead to Liverpool on loan from Real Madrid but left after half the season for former club, Dortmund, full of complaints against Rosters. We do look forward to seeing much better from all three summer signings of this. They have really helped lessen the impact on Arsenal of RVP’s ignominous departure in this their first EPL season.
March 17th, 2013
podolski is nt goin’ any where. Dat guy got quality in him, wenger shld giv him play time in arsenal.
March 18th, 2013
why should move ,the only prblem for coacch he is feaver moch frances players.thaty is samething which kills arsenal