According to the Daily Mail, The Sun, The Mirror and The Guardian, Arsenal are set to clinch the signing of German striker Lukas Podolski after the 26-year-old snubbed an approach from Manchester United. Podolski and the Gunners have been flirting for some time now, but it finally looks as though we’ll receive confirmation of the deal in the coming days. But is he a good signing and was he right to say ‘no’ to Man United?
Quotes in The Sun make it clear that a move is all but confirmed. He’s reported to have broke ‘into a grin’ when the ‘prospect of him playing alongside Robin van Persie’ was mentioned. Ingo Haselbach a man who says that he speaks with Lukas ‘every day’ claims that “when [Podolski] joins Arsenal, he will play with the heart and I think the fans will love that.”
It seems then that Lukas Podolski joining Arsenal is one of football’s worst kept secrets. Despite this, it’s rumoured that Cologne will delay any announcement until they are safe from relegation.
Most sources are claiming that Lukas Podolski will cost Arsenal £11m and require £100k a week salary. I’d argue that he’d be a bargain at just £11m – he’s a proven International for a top German side (43 goals in 95 appearances), he has scored regularly wherever he’s gone (except Bayern Munich though that’s looking more and more like an anomaly).
This season he has been particularly impressive scoring 17 goals in 24 games in a side struggling to avoid relegation in the Bundesliga.
At 26-years-old, he’s only just entering his career peak so now is the time to make a move for him. Whilst £100k a week is a big price to pay for his salary, he’s a hard worker and a natural goal scorer and will probably prove to be worth his wage.
So why did he choose Arsenal over Manchester United? The Sun claim it’s because Podolski was impressed with Arsene Wenger’s fluent German, but you’d think there’s more to it than that. The truth is, the competition for strikers at Manchester United is currently much tougher than it is at Arsenal.
United have an impressive roster of Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov (who is likely to move this summer) and Michael Owen. Arsenal only really have Robin Van Persie (Marouane Chamakh is likely to move on this summer, whilst Park Chu-Young clearly isn’t trusted). In short, Podolski will have an opportunity to immediately establish himself in this Arsenal side.
It’s clear that he’s learned from his short time with Bayern Munich. It’s not always easy to establish yourself with a big side and by joining Arsenal he’s giving himself a good chance. He’ll have an immediate opportunity to embed himself within the Gunner’s side and will likely thrive on all the opportunities they create.
Whilst he arguably has a better chance of winning trophies with Manchester United, his career trajectory is probably better suited by joining Arsenal. Now we only need to wait for the confirmation of his signing.
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So A.W. speaks fluent German. Ferguson cannot even speak English
Lol, deejay. So right.
would be a good signing, but still wont win Arsenal any trophies
It’s not the number of linguals you’re fluent at but the wits behind that cerebrum. Well let the trophy in the cabinet speak for the managers and let all killjoys shut their stinking buccal cavity.
Ferguson is fluent in one language….winning.
wt d hell r united scumz doin on here, plz stick to ur own blogz…………….. haterz!
‘Arguably’ more chance of winning a trophy at United? There’s no arguably about it.
United get linked with every player who has played football at one time or another, if it makes you feel better to think that Podolski turned down a move to United when there is no proof they were even interested then good luck to you.