5 Reasons why Arsene Wenger is a Happy Chappy

Do Arsenal fans know better than Joachim Löw?

4) Ozil and Podolski – I am rather embarrassed to see Arsenal fans selling Lukas Podolski off in January on social media or part exchanging him for a younger German model.

Not much gratitude being shown by some for a player who carrying an injury scored 16 goals for Arsenal in his first season, any of them decisive and provided 11 assist for his colleagues. Add to that his rather obvious positive influence on the training ground and in the changing room.

Now I would agree he cannot do the same role as Olivier Giroud but does that mean he cannot play centrally. Our players are good enough to adapt and a plan B is essential and it has often been lacking in the past. I am not saying I have a crystal ball but I am sating we should wait to see what Wenger has in mind because the fact that Ozil and Podolski have performed together for years, with huge success is indisputable.

We all know that Podolski has had injury issues last season, even if we are not exactly sure what they were or to what extent they affected his mobility and stamina. Wenger and his international manager both confirmed he was hampered and it impacted his selection for Germany. This being the case it would be fair to just look at the 3 seasons before in which Ozil and Podolski played in the same German side.

So from 09/10 when Ozil was first capped to the end of 2011/12, Mesut played in 28 internationals for Germany and Lukas in 31. You might be intrigued to know that across those internationals in a 3 season playing together Ozil scored 9 times and Podlski 11. Ozil assisted 13 times and Podolski 5. 20 goals and 18 assists between Arsenal’s 2 German attacking talents playing on the world stage and many of our fans are even a little bit interested in seeing them together in Red & White?

Put it this way if you asked Ozil if he would like Podolski around what do you think he would say?

A threat with the ball or without it

5) The return of Theo Walcott – Without wishing to cover the same ground as so many others have trodden, there is little question that Arsenal have missed the pure pace on one flank. Cazorla can play wide effectively but he tucks in continuously and Ramsey and Wilshere have ‘done a job’ wider when required.

However having the threat of pure pace back in the team changes the dynamics in our favour, still further. It is not just what Theo brings back to the team in goals and assists it is what he brings just by being there.

The threat of Theo’s speed on its own will make the opposition left full back wary of pushing on too much, particularly when you marry that threat to that of the distribution capability of Mesut Ozil. I like most Gunners am looking forward to those 2 renewing their fledging acquaintance on the pitch.

This time last season after 12 games Walcott, despite only playing 90 minutes on 4 occasions and only starting 4 games, had already scored 4 in the Premiership and assisted for 5. After 12 matches he had only at this point last season played 600 minutes. This means his contribution was effectively 4 goal and 5 assists in about 6.5 games.

Fast forward then to the business end of the season when Champions League football needed to be secured. Theo scored 3 in 5 in January and then had by his high standards an indifferent spell from February to April which saw Theo substituted most weeks. So with 5 games to go we are only 2 points clear of the Spuds and they have a game in hand. Our destiny was not in our own hands. Cometh the hour, cometh the Theo. Let me remind you why Theo returning can do by taking you back to last season’s run in:

Fulham Away – 1 Nil to Arsenal – Walcott Assist

Man United Home – 1-1 draw – Walcott Goal

QPR Away – I Nil Arsenal Win – Walcott Goal

Wigan Home – 4-1 Win – Walcott Goal

Newcastle Away – 1 Nil Win – Walcott Assist

Welcome back Theo Walcott my 5th reason to be cheerful is probably the one that tops the list.