Arsenal’s new forward’s club career sometimes doesn’t live up to his international prowess but will he produce at The Emirates?
In the wake of Robin Van Persie’s long overdue departure from Arsenal to perennial rivals Manchester United it is easy to understand why Arsenal fans are suddenly pessimistic about the upcoming season.
The enthusiasm of new signings such as Olivier Giroud and in particular Spanish star Santi Cazorla seems to have wavered after the glimpse of hope offered by such arrivals in relation to an RVP reprieve firmly diminished in the wake of his impending medical at Manchester United.
Yet another of Arsenal’s new signings will see the move as his opportunity to shine, his chance to become Arsenal’s main man.
Lukas Podolski has an incredible goalscoring record at international level, especially for somebody who is often used on the wing, not to mention he is only 27 years old. 44 goals in 101 games almost average out at a goal every 2 games. A similar strike rate for Arsenal next season and you can potentially expect 25 goals from the Polish born forward in all competitions next season.
Yet this has often been the left-footer’s issue, producing the sort of form that sees him sizzle for Die Mannschaft at club level. He started his career with incredible success scoring 10 goals in 19 Bundesliga games for FC Koln in his debut season, more than doubling that tally the following season with 24 goals in 30 games. The inevitable big move to Bayern Munich soon followed and the success was supposed to continue.
Yet it didn’t, Podolski struggled at Bayern, netting just 26 goals in 101 appearances for FCB. In the Bundesliga the record was more worrying just 17 goals in 71 appearances. These aren’t the type of tallies Arsenal fans will be expecting and certainly won’t be the ones they need.
After returning to his beloved FC Koln he again struggled only scoring 3 goals in 31 appearances in his first season and in the past 2 years he has only scored 2 international goals.
So should Arsenal expect too much from Podolski? Well last season he bagged 18 league goals in 29 appearances in a team that was relegated from the Bundesliga so Arsenal have no idea what to expect from Podolski.
Podolski however thrives amongst competition, playing against the best brings out the best in him. He hasn’t moved to Arsenal out of desperation and must feel he can add to his disappointing haul of 1 Bundesliga and German Cup by putting Arsenal silverware in his trophy cabinet.
Even if goals don’t flow for the powerful frontman his general approach play will still make him one of the standout performers in England next season.
Out of the shadow of Robin Van Persie, Lukas Podolski could really shine.
How do they compare? Here are the stats?
Robin Van Persie has scored 183 goals in 423 senior appearances; Lukas Podolski has scored 156 in 392 appearances.
Podolski is only just 27 and is coming into his prime, the same age Van Persie started to really come of age. Out of all the transfer business this summer it may come as a suprise but making £24million pound off an injury prone 29 year old with a player with a good injury record, younger and just as impressive scoring option doesn’t work out bad in the end for Arsenal.
The only real shame is that Arsene Wenger can’t partner the two of them.
Will Podolski make a mark this season at The Emirates?
image: © adifansnet
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