Gervinho was arguably our in-form player before he went to the African cup, but I agree that he has struggled since then to regain form. But I think Podolski won't have an easy time to secure a place in the starting line-up. He provides less utility than the others when he isn't scoring. It's no coincidence that he has started so many games as a sub for Germany and Bayern, he can be anonymous for large parts of the match. And I'd argue we already have one player who is anonymous for most parts of the match (until an assist/goal), Walcott. We need someone who will be unsettling opponents defenses on the left.
Podolski will start on the left side of attack. He will move into the centre when we're resting RVP, or if RVP gets injured. This will mean Gervinho will still get plenty of games because he'll be brought into the team if either Pod or RVP get injured or rested. Oxo will cover Walcott. People suggesting Oxo should replace Walcott in the 1st team are either extremely naive or extremely young and excitable.
I think there could be a slight shift in emphasis if M'Villa comes in, with him and Song both holding, and the option of Arteta who also holds well. Having them in there would give slightly less defensive responsibility to Theo & Pod hopefully.
If everyone is fit, Podolski will play on the left with RVP in the middle. the two will probably do a switcheroo more than a few times in a game though to try and throw the defense off. I think by the time injuries and rest are taken into consideration there will be more than enough opportunities for one or two more players up front. I think I read somewhere that Wenger sees Ox as a central midfield player.
another good thing about podolski is not afraid to have a shot from wherever. lots of our players seem to. Rosicky always looks to find van Persie when he's in perfect position on the edge of the box to hit it. arteta hits a couple and they usually go in, but no where near often enough. ramsey hits a few more, but his have been going close just not quite there recently. podolski: if the full back is blocking his route down the wing and theres a defender or midfielder blocking all passing options, he will take a touch and hammer it, usually from that left side. lots of the time it goes straight towards either top corner, with massive amounts of power. this is a huge asset as now teams will have to close us down outside of the box, instead of waiting for us on the edge of it. this will open up space for our passes, and if they sit deep pod can smash one in long range.
I think the left side of attack has been a weak area for us for a while, both Arshavin and Gervinho haven't really set the left wing alight and more recently Wenger has been using Ramsey, Rosicky, Benayoun and Santos there (as a sub) - I think it's an area that Podolski will make his own.
I agree with Piskie that our left side has been a problem. Neither Gervinho or Arshavin gave us regular goals from this area. AWAY and in Europe. ---------------Szczesny--------------- -Sagna---Vertonghen--Vermaelen--Gibbs- ------------Song------Arteta----------- ----------------Wilshere---------------- -Walcott--------VanPersie-------Podolski- HOME: ---------------Szczesny--------------- -Sagna--Vertonghen--Vermaelen--Gibbs- ------------Song------Wilshere----------- -Walcott--------Podolski-------Chamberl.- ----------------v.Persie---------------- When Wilshere is out Rosicky comes in. With our injury record Rosicky and Arteta will get plenty of games and give us room for good squad rotation. (which is something we need to do alot more).
As TT has pointed out, i don't expect Pod and RVP to remain static in their positions. They could very well switch positions and interchange between themselves. For a left sided winger, Pod scored 18 goals and provided 8 assists in 28 games for Cologne this season (league games). And this is for a team that is struggling to stay up. If you compare his stats to any top striker in the bundesligue, then you have to look at one of the top 5 teams. He has better stats than players like Ribery and Robbens, who play in simular positions. There is no reason why he can't play centrally or on either flank. If we can get our front three interchanging more dynamically, then we will be quite deadly.
I think we are all pretty much pleased with this signing, however apparently he has a bit of a bad attitude. Anyone concerned about that?
So did RVP, but he's nice as pie, well for us he is But it is good to have some aggression sometimes, as long as it's channelled properly and Wenger should be able to sort him out.
Yeah if he has the kind of spiky attitude RVP has that's fine, but a little concerned he may clash with some of the bigger personalities in our team including the main man.
I'm sure there are others in the team that'll calm him down ie, Big Mertz and Chesney....Both are winners and im sure they'll get on well....
what? Wilshere is one of the fastest players in our entire squad over the first 5 yards (the most important). He's also an attacking midfielder - not a defensive one. He was played there to give him game time when he was just a kid. he's already better than 99% of attacking midfielders around, and he will be better than Fabregas (by some distance)
I hope you're wrong about that. He's been out for a worryingly long time though. I don't think we should expect Wilshere to come in and perform to his best straight away - it could be mid season before we see him back to his old self, but even then, there are no guarantees.
This is the game where Jack - as a kid outplayed the Barca midfield. The game we apparently got hammered in but won and had more chances. Wilshere ran the midfield and created far more than Barca's midfielders who held possession by passing it 5 yards between themselves. We need to keep Jack exactly as he is and not try to change him - he is the best player this country has produced since Gazza. [video=youtube;x5NpD3bRZvs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5NpD3bRZvs[/video]
Absolutey no reason in the world for him to be any less sharpe from day 1 than the rest of the team.... if not sharper due to freshness.
