Podolski eyes more Central role

Amidst recent jumble surrounding the club’s centre-forward role, Podolski has come out to add to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s headache.
According to The Sun, the attacker publicly revealed his intentions to play as a centre forward in a view to unleash his full potential for the club.
Podolski said “I’d rather play centrally up front,” He continued “On the left, I have to do a lot of defensive work, constantly running up and down. But I am not a classical winger.”
The German international was a proven goal scorer at his former club Cologne where he played as an out and out striker, scoring an impressive 18goals in 31appearances in his last season with The Billy Goats
The 27-year old added “Arsenal was a change, a different country and a new club.”
“I am getting along well, for sure, but I demand more of myself – I want to play even better.”
Giroud’s inability to duly deliver has led to several strikers being linked with a switch to the Emirates stadium. But considering Wenger’s reluctance in splashing the cash, I expect Poldy’s wish to be granted anytime soon…

Arsenal to sign Benzema?

The present Arsenal sqaud looks excellent in all positions
except the striker role. Gervinho, Chamakh, Walcott, Podolski,
and Oliver Giroud have all tried to fill the void but none was
able to stand to the task. This led to several strikers being
linked with a move to the Emirates and the latest is Karim
Benzema.
On Oct. 22, 2012 talksport reported a potential addition to
the strikers in the present gunners squad and went further to
reveal that this new face could be that of Benzema.
The 24year old joined the Los Blancos from Olympique Lyonnais
in 2009 and has been a hit on la liga ever since. But the
frenchman has been recently found outside requirements with
reasons best known only to manager Jose Mourinho.
Obviously, Arsene Wenger is a big fan of the Real Madrid
forward. He was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last
summer and the deal looked certain until he came publicly to
deny any possible transfer away from the Bernabeu.
I, on behalf of other gooners, cant reliquish the prospect of
seeing Benzema team up with Cazorla, Wilshere, Arteta and the
likes, all playing for my beloved Arsenal.
The deal could however hit a snag considering the fact that
he will command a very high transfer fee and wage as well.
Nevertheless, The Gunners have been missing their firing
power this season, making the need for a world class striker a
priority…this i believe can push this deal to the stage of
reality. Hopefully, we can all smiles when we see Benzema in
the Arsenal colors this January.

Finally he gets to leave!

Reports recently claimed that Bordeaux president Jean Louis
Triaud has widely opened the arms of the club to welcome
Arsenal misfit Marouane Chamakh.
The Moroccoan international striker left Bordeaux for Arsenal
in the summer of 2010 on a bosman ruling and took no time to
show the gunners how influencial he is, getting involved in at least a goal in his first 7 appearances
for the club, while his Dutch
counterpart RVP was busy nursing injury.
Coincidentally, his performances freezes out as RVP resumes
action…marking the begining of poor form by Chamakh. He
keeps finding it hard to replicate his earlier form for the
gunners while he gradually watches his name fade away in the
heart of most arsenal fans.
After a series of no-luck-trials, he was linked with a move
away from the Emirates stadium but his poor form and 50k/wk
wage seems to scare all possible suitors away.
The 28year old rejected the possiblity of a return to Bordeaux earlier last summer claiming he would wait and fight for his place at arsenal.
He featured in a couple of matches for Arsenal during
the pre season fixtures and never looked convincing. His last
goal for the club came on 17th of september 2011 in a match
against Blackburn which arsenal eventually lost 3-4.
Chamakh went down the pecking order after the arrival of both
lukas podolski and Oliver Giroud, and his only appearance this season came as a 72nd substitute in the capital one cup match against coventry city last month.
It is quite vivid that the former Bordeaux man is supplement
to requiremnet at the Emirates stadium at the moment. Most
gooners will be glad to see him leave Arsenal due to his
perpetual run of poor form and his large wages.
The wish of the fans has apparently been granted after Triaud
admits by saying “Chamakh? He knows when he wants too, he can return to
Bordeaux – but he is happy in London,” in his recent interview
by le 10 sport.
As if that statement has not revealed enough, he went on to
say “Salaries are different in England, but last December I
sent him a message to tell him that if you are not happy in
London, come home, and that message is still relevant today.”
The beautiful part is that the message is still active. To
see Chamakh leave Arsenal is not my joy, but the significant
reduction in the club’s wage structure and an opportunity for
younger strikers in the squad to easily make a first team
appearance is what pleases me.
Bordeaux is where he belongs, so I hope this link eventually
leads to a transfer.

Arsenal new look

Then international break is on and most of the first team
players are presently on international duty serving their
respective countries. This gives room for full consideration
by the club’s coaching staff on those either left behind or
injured.
Among the players left with arsenal now are the trio of Jack
Wilshere, Emmanuel Frimpong, and Bacary sagna. They have been
out of action for a very long time due to injury and are now
in the final and delicate stage of their recovery. It is
believed that a little knock at this stage can easily cause a
setback.
But what actually prompted this write up is how these trio
will alter the first team selection and probably the style of
play of the arsenal team. They are all reknown talented and
consistent players who are always ready to give their all to
the club.
Jack Wilshere has undoubtedly been missed and gooners around
the world cant wait to see him put on his jersey number 10
shirt in a first team action. His versatility, dribbling
skills and never say die attitude are well needed in the
middle of the arsenal park. Imagine a midfield comprising of
Wilshere, Cazorla, and Arteta…all I see is the beauty of the
game…the EPL version of Spain’s midfield…TICKI TACKA!
Sagna, the unsung hero, is just coming from the most
difficult 11 months of his football career which saw him
suffer a broken leg twice(in a season). When fully fit, he is
the most reliable and consistent player in the arsenal squad
(judging by the past), very agile and powerful at his favorite
right back position.
But in his absence, Jenkinson has stood up to grab the
opportunity with his two hands. The lad has been so impressive
and promising alike. Nevertheless, Sagna’s reputation has
never been matched by any right back this season, making him
worthy of a respectable welcome back to the team applause.
Arsenal’s back line will look more solid and formidable with
“Sagna right Bac”.
Frimpong fits superbly into the shoes left behind by Alex
Song and can even add some seasonings to the soup with his
shooting accuracy. The Denchist is not expected to jump
straight into the starting line up but i wont be surprised if
he does(cazorla can play from the flank).
The availability of the three players provide much needed
depth in quality to the Arsenal squad, and gives the manager
Arsene Wenger more opportunities to attack any opposition
threat.
This is however the line up i propose in the next couple of
weeks when they are all fully fit.

Mannone

Sagna Vermaelen Mertesacker Gibbs

Wilshere Arteta Cazorla

Gervinho Giroud Podolski

Comments are welcomed (You may propose your line up too).