Lukas Podolski has bemoaned the injury which kept him out of the first half of last season, saying he’d have improved on his first campaign with the Gunners if he’d stayed fit.
In 2012-13, the former Cologne man scored 16 and made 11 assists, while last season he notched up 15 and 2 respectively, but considering how much football he missed the goal figures are particularly impressive.
Speaking to Kicker, he said, “If I hadn’t been out injured for five months, it would have been an even better one than the first season.”
The German then played down any suggestion that he was set for a summer departure from the Emirates, saying he was happy at Arsenal and in London.
“As it stands I will stay at Arsenal. That won’t change tomorrow either. The step to move to London was the exact right one.
“I feel great in the city, in the league and in the club. The two years were outstanding for me.”
With his first medal after the FA Cup win, it looks as if he’s keen to add more to his Gunners collection, and he’s exactly the kind of player any squad needs to add real depth.
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Quotes via @SanBorussia
His stat’s are actually pretty great considering he plays as a left winger, if you compare him to the rest of the wingers in the league his goalscoring is miles ahead of most of them. I like Poldi and hope he stays and chips in another 15+ goals next season to help us to the title:).
His goalscoring ability is great but the problem is Arsenal requires wingers to chip in defensively, and that’s where his weakness hows. The thing that frustrates me the most, is that he IS capable of being one of the best in the world if he gives every game his 110%, after that wigan game he got pissed he was getting subbed and for the next 2-3 games he chased every single ball offensively and defensively! If he plays like that more consistently I’m not even joking he could be up there with the world’s best. Hopefully he realises this himself… Read more »
100% would do nicely.
Especially with Gibbs being such an attacking FB.
In a 4-4-2 alongside Giroud he would be a nightmare for defenders but bizarrely for a physical guy he can’t play up top alone.
He used to play striker for Cologne. He is a typical old school striker who likes to move forward, not defend. Which is why i would prefer Poldi up front rather than on the wing. However he is mostly a Winger for the national team. But my point is that i think Poldi should have stepped in as a striker for Giroud instead of us playing Giroud ragged having him play every game Even when he was knackered. There was no point when we had another goalgetting striker on the bench. With Podolski’s shots to goal ratio, if he had… Read more »
I agree with you but feel that last sentence is a little harsh on Giroud, he has had some fantastic finishes in his time and they were by no means flukes.
I could agree he needs to improve but he isn’t that shabby in front of goal !
On the other hand, Podolski staying is great news and if he remains fit then we have another component ready and waiting to make aserious challenge on all fronts next season.
He plays better with a more defensive LB. Gibbs tries to hug the touchline every game. When TV5 played LB it showed podolski played better because TV5 does his defensive work.
Poldi: Arsene, I want to play more up front.
Arsene: Well, we have Giroud playing there. You can have a cake though.
Poldi: Ok, we’re good.
Arsene (to himself): Thats how you do it Pellegrini.
Its fantastic news, offers us versatility . Hopefully he can play with another striker upfront next season, we need to use his amazing finishing to good use!
I’m a Poldi fan too.
Glad we can keep that hammer of a left foot for next season.
Aha!
long may his godlike finishing remain!
Podolski is a firm favourite of mine after Santi
Notice all the unworthy people alongside our players in the pl team of the season?? Lol..
A great character to have in the dressing room and if he stays fit I’m sure he will be banging them in for fun next season!!
Great that he’s staying. You can see why Wenger isn’t so keen on Podolski. He doesn’t quite fit our brand of quick and technical one touch football, but boy can he strike a ball. His all round game may be lacking, but he is guaranteed to give you goals and assists. I think he should start when we don’t have Theo or another goal scoring winger available. Other than that, he is a great super sub and can change a game in an instant with a vital goal or strike.
Aha
Great impact sub. Tends to go missing when he starts. Crucial squad member though – who else is going to spray champers on le boss if we win something again? Oh-o-o-o-o-ooohhhhhh Oh-o-o-o-o-ooooohhhhh
“if we win something again”?
when*
I just don’t understand why this comment gets thumbed down.
Despite anyone’s thoughts on being a starter or not, in the center or not, with our improved revenue he is a phenomenal layer of quality that deepens our options incredibly nicely.
Dat left leg tho.
It’s not really up to him if he stays or not though. I like the guy but I’d much rather have someone playing for us who could do things like dribble, pass, make runs off the ball etc. I suspect Wenger does, too.
Yeah, that’s why he insists he’s happy and Poldi’s happy as well. Makes sense. /sarcasm
Love to see him play with other striker. Don’t get enough from him out wide. Great finisher. And a mad bastard too .
he offers nothing to the team , replace hin
Haven’t seen the Bpl team of the year.. Can some one send me the link please?
You really need to worry about yourself, if you need links for such a simple thing. Just go to premierleague.com and find it there. Or if that seems like too much trouble, ever heard of googling?
Oo-ooh, knickers, twist.
What’s the Bpl?
Is it like the PL (or EPL even)?
No it’s like the BPL because it has a Welsh team in it too.
Actually it’s BPL for Barclays Premier League not British Premier League
Not really. It’s BPL cause it’s Barclays Premier League.
touche.
I’m one who is too often frustrated with his disappearing or (what seems) pointless meanderings. But blogs is spot on. He’s the kind of depth we need and a really enjoyable guy. And given how much time these guys spend together that’s not nothing. He loves the game and that’s hard not to like. Long may Thor remain.
Anyone says Wenger has a reason not to like Podolski is mad in the head. Wenger signed him, knew what he was like as a player, and certainly would have knew he goes missing in games. Of course he’s not gonna track back all the time, that’s just not him. What he does provide though, is an unbelievable left foot, better than anyone in the league! I love Prince Poldi, keep him at all costs.
I’m happy that he’s staying (although if you look at that statement above it’s not definite) but frankly I’m a very surprised. Wenger clearly seems to have a problem with him. Lucas almost never plays the full 90 minutes: he’s either subbed or comes on at about 70 minutes. He’s a brilliant finisher but often goes missing, just like in the Cup Final. I don’t think he enjoys playing in that wide left position: like others on this page I think the best out of him would be obtained by playing him up front with a partner. But I can’t… Read more »
Podolski has over 110 appearances for Germany, when he’s played with the first team he’s always played as a LW for them, he’s just played as a striker in friendlies here and there. So clearly it’s not just Wenger.
I got to agree with Fats for this one. Podolski is a good player, but I think the Boss will want someone more skilful out wide to allow us to control the game more.
Maybe he doesn’t suit our quick passing style. Perhaps a more direct style will work better for him.
I agree that for Poldi to play as a striker we need to play with two up top. I don’t agree that AW is being “stubborn” by refusing to change his system to accommodate Poldi. Poldi may be a very good player but he’s not the kind of player you shape your team around. In fact, you never shape your team around a striker. You shape it around your playmakers; your Ozil or your Fabregas. If we play 4-4-2, which midfielder will you drop to play 2 up top? Will you drop Ozil or Ramsey? We can’t play without a… Read more »
The problem that Wenger has with playing 4-4-2 is that all our midfielders are basically central midfielders. Yes, people like cazorla and Özil can start out wide on paper but eventually in the match they are gonna drift inside. So the width has to be provided by a forward. But simply a forward who stays out wide and crosses the ball in doesn’t fit into arsenal’s style of play. Wenger wants to cut through defenses not just go around and cross the ball. So the solution is to play people like Walcott and podolski out wide, who can stay out… Read more »
Fatgooner? I thought you moved away. If you came to Romania, you would be a sexy beast, but I can’t afford a ticket for you.
The world needs more Podolskis.
We LUV him. He is comedian too
I just love this guy.
Hope the “were” is a translation issue, but I do love his offensive power and if he tracks back more (a learned skill), he can thrive. He is also a good source of levity in the locker room.
That picture, Blogs, he’s looking ready to drop something on the pitch.
Hi fatgooner!
I like Poldi, he’s a good bloke who has genuine affection for our club. Unfortunately, he just doesnt defend well enough when played wide…a liability against top teams.
He’s good but he does go missing in games. Hopefully it’s because he was injured for most of the season and maybe he was never 100% fit since. Perhaps next season – providing he doesn’t get injured – he’ll get involved in more matches and make a mark.
I know you can’t play a blinder every game and I’m not suggesting he has to do that, but he’s gotta step it up a bit, like Ramsey has. In fact, a few players need to do that.
Anyway, I’m glad he’s staying.
Poldi plays football with one leg.
I’d love to see Poldi deployed as an inverted winger from the right – it’s so rare to see him there, but cutting in would give him more shooting opportunities. As is, he has to play one twos or arrive late in the box to have a shot. Obviously the left flank is working ok for him, but the right flank is an option I’m surprised we haven’t seen.
I’m no expert so please correct me if I’m wrong.
I think it’s all about the way you shoot the ball that determines if you play that “inverted role”. Pires was a right footer on the left wing, but it was okay because he rarely took shots with his laces, always went for the curlers.
Podolski tends to blast the ball (shooting with the laces) which is less valuable in the inverted role because it’s harder to direct your shots from the opposite wing.
Or I could just be talking rubbish.
It is possible, but I think the better explanation is that inverted wingers are usually playmakers and dribblers. For example walcott rarely plays on the left, the one match he played against man city he scored a right foot curler, so you could be right. Anyway, I think the reason is that when you are making runs from the wings the defender is usually on the inside, and then unless you are gonna cut back and pass the ball, or dribble past him, (both of which are not strong suits of walcott or podolski), it becomes really difficult to shoot… Read more »
raozila: so you’re staying poldi? thats great!!
Poldi : Aha
A threat from the left. Guys like podolski win you titles. Ppl just want a winger that does circus tricks and shimmies with no effectiveness or end product. Screw them. Keep podderz
I like this guy…..in fact I fucking love em
He is Thomas Hitzelsperger version 2, and I mean that in the most glittering terms possible. what a beast of a left foot
Easy way to solve keep vermalen just play him at LB everytime you put Podolski in.
whats not to love about Poldi? He acts like a true arsenal fan would and not just another player, I can think of several other players who’ve played for Arsenal but haven’t really shown any love for the club.
I hope he has a brilliant next season and bangs in 30+ goals
I love to shout podolskiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii for no reason sometimes
He’s a special talent. So much so that his name has become a verb. He’s just “Podolskied” the shit out of it, top right, ripping a hole in the net!
long live the selfies…..
Goals win you games! Games win you the title! Poldi got goals in him! You do the maths!
Yaay!!! Thor stays. aha!
He’ll stay till the end of his contract….magnificent guy will be remembered when he helps us win more trophies!
P.S Remy available for 8mill…thoughts?
Sooner Bony than Remy.
Poldi is a killer not with a knife or gun but with his metallic feet.don’t think though he got bones in them.maybe metals.have always admired u.gud u staying
Great to hear on the 25th anniversary of Anfield ’89.
Really like Podolski, he can sometimes disapoint but great finisher, big character and important to have in the squad if we’re going to progress from what’s been a pretty good season with a wonderful end.
Subject change: Still no news of a new contract being signed by our beloved Arsene Wenger. It’s been more than a week since our triumph at Wembley, but despite his repeated promises Mr Fourth Place still hasn’t put pen to paper. I wonder why? When you consider that the World Cup is now only 17 days away, and Le prof has committed himself to working for French TV in Brazil for the duration of the tournament, you would have thought that Le Prof would have signed the new deal, and be working his arse off in the transfer market, preparing… Read more »
Nothing.
Practically nothing.
Bendtner was at the club for 10 years. He was a very promising young player, signed an extension off the back of a very decent season and then failed to live up to the promise he showed. Why? Because he’s a plonker. It has nothing to do with Wenger that he failed. Most managers would have given him that or a very similar contract. It’s Bendtners’ own fault that he turned out to be a waste of money. In that time he’s also made some great signings and rightly extended their contracts, barring Sagna who has decided he wants a… Read more »
Crucially Wenger generally buys low (and at end of transfer window) which ensures minimum exposure if the player goes belly up.
Collapsing in the 2nd half of the season would have put us in the Europa League quite a few times in the last 5-6 years. Its a statement that whilst completely untrue, is often repeated by people who really should know better.
I love Poldi. He’s got the wackiness of Eboue without being a total liability and a left foot that the Partiridge phrase “Did you see that? He must have a foot like a traction engine!” was made for.
Glad he reckons he’s staying, otherwise I’d have to change my name.
Didn’t he only score 12 this season?
Agreeing with most! Loving Podolski.
Football’s a bit like music for me. It’s appeal depends on the character who does the playing.
The current Arsenal is full of likeable people and that alone is a pleasure.
Podolski is quality. End of.
On a different note, QPR are in the Premiership. Which means 180 minutes of that Hitler Youth-coiffed shitemonger Joey Barton to contend with. But we didn’t have Flamini before…protect your eyes Joey…
I’m glad we’re Odin in to Thor’s Hammer for next season.
Now if he can stop being Loki in some games that would be great.
Taxiiiiiiiiii.
Love it that he’s staying. He’s a great guy, a real supporter of the team, and that left foot! I can’t help but think that if his 30-yarder in the Cup final hadn’t been deflected over, it might just have ripped the net off its moorings and injured some of the photographers behind the goal. I hope he stays fit all next season, and if he does, he could well be that 25-goal man that we want.
If any of you listen to the Tuesday Club Podcast, they called it spot on with Podolski.
There are players who look busy, and there are players who DO something (some players do both e.g. Ramsey).
Podolski is a player who does something, every contribution he makes leads to either a chance created, (remember Ozil’s swipe in the final) or a shot for himself.
Podolski needs to realise he’s not going to play every week, he’d need to improve massively, but there isn’t a better squad option out there IMO.