I do not think we have had an in-depth discussion about Podolski. He seems to get away without much criticism after every bad performance. The most worrying thing about him is that he simply disappears in games and we are always a man down when he is having a mare. I can think of many times, where I said to myself 'is Podolski playing?'. He is clearly not in the mould of the likes of Nasri,Rosicky,Hleb or even Yossi, all of these have played from that left hand side in recent years. They are all busy little players who would drift in and help us retain possession. He does not have the work rate of a Yossi or Rosicky and IMO, he is not as talented as Nasri. Is he another one of those players that is playing in the wrong system? Would Podolski get into any of the top teams in England? Having said all that, he has contributed to the team. In all competitions, he has scored seven goals and provided four assists. That's not bad, and he is clearly a very good finisher when he gets into a good positions, but I feel that his movement is not good enough and that's one of the reasons he does get into the correct positions that often and goes missing in games. He has had his moments, but I have been left very disappointed by his all round game.
I think he'd be much better in a 4-4-2 alongside Walcott or Giroud. Playing left attacking mid, doesn't suit him.
We need to switch to 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 4-4-2 Chez Sagna Mert TV Gibbs Arteta SJW10 Rosicky Caz Giroud/Theo/Pod (Combo of the 2) 3-5-2 Chez Mert Kos TV Arteta Sagna SJW10 Gibbs Caz Giroud/Theo/Pod (Combo of the 2)
For Koln, he play through the middle, I think in a 4-2-3-1. He had an excellent season, but his team was utter ****. For Germany, he always plays on that left hand side, and has done an excellent job over the years. That's what I think Wenger has tried to get of him, but it's simply not working.
Chez Sagna Mert TV Gibbs Arteta SJW10 Theo Giroud Santi Pod Its a new one (playing Giroud in midfield), but I think it could pay dividends
Problem with going 4-4-2 is that our CM's, especially Arteta, do not have the energy or size to play in the middle. Back in the good old days, we had monsters in there (Petit, Vieira,Gilberto), and in 08, we had Flamini, who played like a man possessed in that season. I think other teams would dance around Arteta if we opened up the midfield.
Hell now that i think of it, the 4-2-3-1 I posted above could really work for us. Giroud doesn't have the best feet but he can be like our Fellaini. Podolski up front is a very good thought. Caz on the wing means he's marked less.
He's actually been Ok on the left - just inconsistant. I have to say I think a more dynamic physical player ti sit in front of our back four is what we need. (We are better with Diaby in the team because he gave us that athleticism)- as well as a TOP striker. This is how we fix our problems. No more 4-2-3-1. Switch to a genuine 4-3-3 with a holding player... ----------------------Sczezney--------------------- Sagna-----Merts------------Vermaelen-----Gibbs ----------------------M'Vila------------------------- ----------Wilshere-------------Carzorla------------- ---Walcott---------LLorente----------Podolski----- Bench: Arteta, Diaby, Jenks, Kos, Giroud, Rosicky.
I think the issue with Podolski is that the rest of the team do the work for him and he just snatches up chances. That's why his figures look so good in a very talented German national team.
