I'm not saying that Podolski is a genius or a miracle-worker, and if you have watched him for years in the Bundesliga then you have a right to state your opinion on him, whether we agree or not. However, if you are judging Poldi based on a few games at the Euros (where he wasn't even that bad), then sorry, but you are clueless, and this is why:
1) Podolski is a striker. He played there for Cologne regularly. And normally he has been used as an inside forward on the left for Germany. However in the Euros, he was shunted all the way out to the left touchline, where he was completely isolated from the game, he was forced to stay wide, and he is simply not a winger. He couldn't come inside often because Lahm, a right-footer playing at left-back, wouldn't make overlapping runs. For Arsenal, he will be used as an inside forward, with licence to come inside and make diagonal runs, giving him more opportunities to show his real strengths as a footballer.
2) He had Gomez alongside him, and Gomez although a good goalscorer offers nothing else, he is basically just a motionless pole of flesh, no movement, no touch or control, almost nothing in terms of link-up play. The guy is appauling and complacent. When Podolski plays for Arsenal he will hopefully have RvP, whose link-up play is perhaps the best in the league, and he will be able to find Podolski when he makes diagonal runs beyond him, as he can play that pass. He also provides good movement in the middle, and is comfortable moving out to the flanks giving Podolski the chance to move into the middle occasionally.
3) The whole German team was average on the night and throughout the tournament really, they never got out of 3rd gear, so it's ridiculous to isolate someone as having really underperformed. Based purely on last night you guys wouldn't rate Lahm or Hummels either. Podolski got no real service during the tournament, he was completely restricted and actually he just got on with it well, putting in a shift and retaining possession. His strenghts are his pace and his finishing ability, yet he never once got the chance to really show that, he only had about 4 shots in the entire tournament, and not a single one-on-one. He still scored an important goal against Denmark as well.
Annyway, I hope and believe that Podolski will be successful next season, people scoff when it is suggested that he could score 15 goals next season, I'm not sure why given that we will always create chances and Podolski is an effective goalscorer. If Gervinho/Walcott had the finishing ability of Podolski he would probably have scored around 15 last season as well.
Podolski Bashers.
posted on 29/6/12
Lol, no worries Hanz
posted on 29/6/12
I personally think you are one of the best posters on this site. You always respond intelligently and a very good writer. I also tend to agree with your opinions a lot.
posted on 29/6/12
Good article
I'm not the biggest Podolski fan in the world, I personally don't think he's the world class player some people think he is, but he's a player who's produced the goods at the highest level. I think he'll do a good job for us, but he's really not the kind of flair player people think he is.
posted on 29/6/12
He's got a good turn of pace which he uses to get past his marker. Also got a lethal left foot.
posted on 29/6/12
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posted on 29/6/12
No trying to WUM but I dont think he will be a hit. Just dont see enough talent in him to suggest he will set the PL alight
posted on 29/6/12
Theo will be a certainty on the right and it will be between Podolski and Gervinho on the left depending on the opposition.
Podolski is more like Overmars than Arshavin. The attacking threat of Podlski and Theo combination we will mean that we will be very direct on goal. Something we have missed when RVP drops deeper. That extra goal threat is crucial to formation we play.
Super original post. 5 stars!
posted on 29/6/12
Very accurate observation and comment. Very objective.
Many people just made him as a scapegoat and single him out as the total failure, which I totally do not agree. The way he played, was simply by the instruction of Low. To be defensive and stay far left. As Lahm was not able to push the ball forward and go deep, no way Poldi could cut into the middle and contribute more on attacking and shooting. The 2010 attacking 4-5-1 Podolski and Muller played good. Now the 4-5-1 is defensive and stay back. This change affected Poldi a lot, also Muller.
Podolski bashers just won't appreciate his hard work and willingness to play defense (see how he ran from box to box to try defending the Italian 2nd goal yesterday). They want to see the flashing Reus, Schurrle and Gotze. Unfortunately Poldi did not have a chance to play his favorite position throughout the tournament, and for the past several years. All the negative judgement on him was just not fair. I am pretty sure if you put Klose as the left/right midfield; or Ozil as the striker, they would play as crap as anybody as well.
Hope Poldi will have a new life at Arsenal, and if Wenger uses him smart, sure Poldi will shine.
posted on 29/6/12
Really dumb OP in my opinion
Podolski has been garbage all tournament.
Fyi Germany has not being average all tournament.
posted on 29/6/12
"Really dumb OP in my opinion"
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