Podolski is the kind of guy you want around, both on the pitch and off it. On the pitch, there’s nothing more relaxing than seeing a counter attack and watching the the ball fall to Podolski, because, you just know…he’s got this. And then there’s his incredible effect off the pitch, he seems to have a huge connection with the players and fans alike, and he very clearly loves being at Arsenal. That should reward him with more game time. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works, or at least, that’s not how Wenger works. But in my mind, usually, you’re going to get more out of a player who really loves the club he’s at, than a player with less enthusiasm. That’s not saying that other Arsenal players don’t love the club; they all do. But Podolski is always smiling, even if he’s not playing, and even when it’s a bad day. There’s a picture floating around of a gloomy Arsenal bench lit up by a certain grinning German. A team needs these characters. However, it’s on the pitch that Podolski simply is getting the chance to maintain his momentum and contribution to the league. He rarely lasts beyond the magical 70th minute, and even if he does play, more often than not, he’s dropped the next game, goal or no goal. Wenger has a strange set up with Podolski.
The obvious reason is Cazorla, a man that Arsenal can’t really drop, especially when you consider his contribution since he arrived. It really is impressive. Wenger prefers Cazorla on the left-hand side, interchanging with the number ten throughout the match, with the other spot going to a pacy runner, either Walcott or Chamberlain. And this appears to be the correct and popular way to set the team up. However, there are some real positives for playing Podolski on the left.
Firstly, his very appearance on the team sheet improves Arsenal’s chance of scoring. He is deadly. In the box, out the box, he’ll shoot anywhere, and will usually hurt the keeper in the process. When Arsenal play with him they immediately look and feel more clinical as a whole, because there’s a sense that it’s only matter of time before the ball falls to the German and he hammers home. His link up player is also superb, seemingly very connected with either Monreal or Gibbs down the left flank. Then there’s the free kicks, something Arsenal are frequently dreadful with. An opportunity Podolski is more than happy to take up. I haven’t scrutinised his stats, but from memory, his goal return is very good when you take into account his lack of game time. Liverpool in the cup was a prime example of what Podolski brings to the table. They’ll be a winger bursting down the right, and Podolski drifting into the middle, and just when you want someone to be there to finish the attack, there’s the perfect man. It’s also worth noting that in similar scenario and same game, Cazorla had the chance to seal the tie and he lost his cool, something that doesn’t happen to Podolski. If there’s a chance for him to score, he most likely will. Lethal.
This doesn’t mean he has to start every game, because obviously with the talent all the way through our midfield, the available positions are scarce and competitive. But I do feel that he is widely overlooked for a player possessing such a clean edge and power. It was never a problem for Germany, they found a way, and he’s their youngest player capped to 100, a very telling statistic. There are some games, which demand a less conservative and patient approach; we don’t always have to pass the ball in, at least, not now that we have some real power in other areas of the pitch. Cazorla can still heavily influence a game if he comes on from the bench. It’s something that needs looking at.
Podolski needs to play more. And I think I speak for most when I say it’d be very sad if he left come the end of the season. And I don’t think the players would be happy either. Recently, he took to twitter to stick up for Ozil. I’d miss that. Aha.