Scored two great goals on Saturday, but had a hot and cold season last time. Looks good in the middle, not as effective on the left. His fitness has been an issue, but he looks good this time around. Can Podolski be the clinical finisher that we need ?
How dare you , that sounds dangerously close to criticism , Toledo will be here forthwith to sort you out . Podolski needs to be given a fair crack at the job . No more , no less .
Can't see him displacing Giroud in that cf role despite the fact he is alot more clinical. I suppose Wenger feels he lacks Giroud's ability to hold the ball up and bring others into play around him as well as his aerial advantage. He really should be tried more in that cf position if a new striker isn't signed.
If we can get Di Maria, then I think Podolski should definitely be used in rotation/competition with Giroud. They are completely different strikers, but offer us some options. I don't think we should go down this route instead of signing a striker, but there is always the chance that we won't get the striker we want this window, so this would be an acceptable plan B for the time.
Ok this is getting annoying now. If you and TT want to have your little spat over the PMs that's fine but its getting ****ing tiring seeing you bring him up every other post.
Agree completely. Couldn't figure out why Wenger wouldn't take a chance on Podolski up front last season just as an alternative to Giroud. I understand and agree with why he started usung Cazorla on the left flank, but why he persisted with Giroud for 90 minutes week in week out is a mystery. If we don't sign a striker I hope Wenger is less reluctant to give that a go this time around. If we do sign a striker though, I'd fear for Pod's future or at least playing time this season.
I think he was injured / not fully fit for most of last season. He barely played any whole games. But he still scored goals. He's definitely deserving of a shot at CF this season, there are enough games for them both to get game time.
Back on topic, yes Podolski DOES offer a different option that defenders dont like . The NON Arsenal way of shooting from distance. Any variation of what people expect from us has got to be a positive addition in my book . You could almost SEE defenders relaxed in the knowledge that we were gonna try and walk it in , " they wont shoot , they never shoot " Well we fooking WILL shoot with the Pod on the pitch . From anywhere . Gives em the heebee geebies
What injury could Podolski have had last season that stopped him from completing barely a single entire game, yet never saw him dropped from our squad nor Germany's? And hasn't required surgery in the summertime to remedy it? I find all that bizarre tbh.
That Villa game he came on at , what 92 minutes. Thats not a good sign , its like watching a re - run of Arshavins sidelining and exit . Hope thats not an omen
He was subbed for nearly three quarters of the season in the games he played. I think it was probably a combination of his fitness and wenger trying to find his best position, at the same time as trying to give Giroud an established chance at CF. To be fair, Podolski was hot and cold for a while, so you can see why he didn't get picked ahead of Giroud. I think this season, he could offer a viable alternative for us up front. As GBA says, he will shoot on sight and that's a good way for us to mix it up in attack.
Funny enough you should mention Arshavin. I've wondered if Podolski's personality rubs Wenger up the wrong way the same way Arshavin's did. Perhaps there's a playboy side to his personality. Arsene clearly likes his players to be mentally disciplined, which is why I kinda worry for his future with us. That said even if that were true he's clearly not a patch on Arshavin who would doubtfully would have been have fired up for a game as Pod was against Fulham.
Well nothing will give him ( and wenger ) more confidence , than cracking in a few goals . Long may it continue. Im off to bed , adios.
Again agreed, what I couldn't understand is why he wasn't brought on as a substitute in games for Giroud when he was on the bench. That rarely if ever happened. . He will shoot on sight and his link-up play is very neat too so if he does stay I hope he gets more opportunities up there.
I don't think Wenger has a problem with him to be honest. If anything he will value Podolski's attitude on the pitch. For me he's the type of personality that we need in the team.
I gave a warning on another thread and I'm giving it again here.Anymore of the childish insults and I will delete posts or the thread will be closed
I think the Pod should be given a sustained chance to play as a CF. The same can be applied to Walcott too. Both those players can provide an alternative to Giroud and a different plan. Maybe play Pod as a CF in the cup games? As it stands, Giroud does a good job as a CF, but a change to Pod/Walcott can give us additional options when we can't break defences. But we really need to get some replacements in, the first being a replacement for Gervinho. As it stands, we are limiting ourselves attacking options which i'm sure Wenger is working on. Gervinho may not have been many peoples cup of tea, but he did give us some additional options.
