Every week there seems to be speculation on the possibility of him leaving the Emirates at the end of the summer. It is apparent to me that he is the enigma of this Arsenal team, both for fans and the media.
When he plays, he gets criticized for a lack of workrate and defensive responsibility, and not being involved in the play enough. When he is on the bench, people are outraged that a player with such positive statistics can be left out.
So what do people actually think of him? Would you want him out the door in the summer.
For me, he will never be a key player for us, despite being more 'effective' than more influential players like Cazorla and Oxlade. He doesn't really fit quite into our style of play, unless we are playing a little more functional. He is in many ways quite a 'rigid' player, which doesn't exactly fit into the 'fluid' play we strive to create.
But for exactly the same reasons, he is a brilliant option. In games against Chelsea and City, as we have just had, he is more likely to create or score than anyone, and offers an actual direct threat. Therefore in the often likelihood that we aren't playing glorious tiki-taka, he will be someone who can turn matches around for us. For this reason, I hope he stays, and remains within our first 18.
Thoughts on Poldi
posted on 30/3/14
KPPR, Löw thinks that Poldi is at his best on the left. He didnt even use him when we hadnt even a CF available with Klose and Gomez out injured. He tried the false no.9 with Özil or Götze instead.
In Cologne he played also from midfield but that was more the case when they had injuries.
The public opinion in Germany is that he is a left winger.
posted on 30/3/14
"When people say 'Podolski doesn't fit our system', are they referring to the tedious tippy tappy style we all want abandoned? Or the direct counter attacking approach he has often excelled in?"
Very good point
posted on 30/3/14
Our best football is when we have pod and Walcott on the flanks
posted on 30/3/14
comment by Gunnerthru (U6675)
posted 1 minute ago
KPPR, Löw thinks that Poldi is at his best on the left. He didnt even use him when we hadnt even a CF available with Klose and Gomez out injured. He tried the false no.9 with Özil or Götze instead.
In Cologne he played also from midfield but that was more the case when they had injuries.
The public opinion in Germany is that he is a left winger.
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Out of curiosity GT, what do you think is the reason for Podolski's inconsistency since he arrived? Is it simply the front three system we use?
posted on 30/3/14
I wouldn't mind seeing him leaving, providing that his departure opened up funds and a squad position to accommodate a player more suited to our system.
It's not that I don't think he suits our 'tippy-tappy' style; I just don't think there's a position that he suits in the current formation.
I think Wenger brought him in with the intention of developing him into a lone forward, much like he did with Van Persie - he made his debut in that position, and Wenger has come out on a number of occasions and spoke of his ability to play as the lone forward. However, thus far, it hasn't worked for him when he has been asked to play that role.
He has a lot of experience playing as a left-wing-forward both at club and international level, but for me, he doesn't have the pace or directness to really establish himself as a top-class player in that role.
When we're dominating a game, he can provide a useful option, as the overlapping runs of the full-back can give him freedom to tuck inside more and get in and around the box where he is most dangerous.
But when we're being pegged back, I don't think he contributes a great deal in terms of all-round play.
He's a good option to have, but I think there are realistic targets out there who are comfortable coming in off the flanks when we're in control, but also apt at providing width, directness, and generally just a good attacking outlet when we're under the cosh.
With this in mind, as much as I rate him, I would be happy for us to sell him in the Summer.
posted on 30/3/14
Out of curiosity GT, what do you think is the reason for Podolski's inconsistency since he arrived? Is it simply the front three system we use?
Back when we signed Poldi remember I wasnt that much excited about that. KPPR, remember when he was at Bayern? He was as inconsistent as he is now. Bayern was not satisfied with his performances.
posted on 30/3/14
Back when we signed Poldi remember I wasnt that much excited about that. KPPR, remember when he was at Bayern? He was as inconsistent as he is now. Bayern was not satisfied with his performances.
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True, although to be fair, I suppose he was only... 21? 22, perhaps? And he had to contend with a team that had the likes of Klose, Toni, Makaay etc... I suppose he was never going to be the top dog in that side.
posted on 30/3/14
I hope we don't sell him. In the last few games we've seen him make some good runs on the left, play some useful passes (most notably that low cross to find Giroud's run against Swansea) and prove to be a goal threat. He's something different to our other wide options at the moment, Cazorla and Rosicky. There's no point selling good players who provide squad depth.
posted on 30/3/14
If we sell him because we need that 11 million, don't ever call us a "big" team anymore. We are so short of that 11 million and sell a very good squad player.
I call him squad player because of Wenger's system. If we don't play that stupid tiki-take and like the way we played against West Ham last year, Poldi is the best.
Again, he is not good enough just because of Wenger's style.
posted on 30/3/14
If we get a fast mobile striker I can see the system changing with Ramsey or Wilshere partnered with Flamini or a new DM in the middle with Podolski, Theo and the new striker as the front 3 all providing an attack more reminiscent of the Invincibles with Vieira, Pires, Lundberg and Henry