Podolski - zero work rate!

At least Giroud will be back for the Newcastle game thank god!!!
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Thought Podolski did OK actually. Clearly isn't 100% fit, hence why he didn't chase around all the time, but at least he didn't mess up every first touch or simple pass ala Giroud

Podolski's hold up play was better than Giroud's. The ball just seems to bounce aimlessly off Giroud.
Lack of fitness played a part with Pod, but don't think he had a bad game.

Podolski's hold up play was better than Giroud's. The ball just seems to bounce aimlessly off Giroud.
Lack of fitness played a part with Pod, but don't think he had a bad game.

Clearly it was not. Poldi has no excusion of being unfit. If he is not fit he couldnt play. Wenger wouldnt have let him.

I dont blame Poldi at all. Its the same with Giroud. Our CF is forced to pick up balls in midfield the way we play and dribble around 4 defenders to get in the box most of the time. Its not going to happen with Poldi and its not working with Giroud.

Why some feel Poldi is the better option here is beyond me.

Podolski didn't really hold the up dropped deep to receive passes didnt give Rio/Vidic any problems

Podolski is not a striker who can play as the spearhead of a 4-5-1 (4-3-3). He wants to be deep. There were times when the attack was building up on the wings and he stood 10 yards outside the box, with no instinct to get into a scoring position.
He looked good when he dropped deep to get the ball, problem is of course there was no one ahead of him because that is where he was meant to be.

The frustrating thing, of course, is that we do not have a striker suitable for the role. Apart from Chuba Akpom.

Podolski should not be the main striker. His position is not in the box but just outside the box where he can unleash his left hammer and play one-twos.

When Giroud was playing we see tons of articles bashing him. When Podolski started yesterday and we see a lot of articles bashing him.
Amazing.