Can Arsenal do with Lukas Podolski or do they need a new striker?

Can Podolski Lead Arsenal to the title?

Arsenal’s injury worries seem to continue as they lost English winger Theo Walcott for the rest of the season due to a cruciate knee ligament injury. He even has rejected offers for quick treatment and is ready to miss the world cup. That leaves Arsenal with only Lukas Podolski as an established striker up front as wonderkid Chuba Apkom has also left on loan. The question now is:- Do Arsenal need a striker or can they do with Podolski?

Podolski has scored 3 goals in 4 appearances for Arsenal this season. This certainly shows what a player of Podolski’s calibre can do. However, all of his goals have come from his favoured position as a left winger. Last season too he had an impressive tally of 16 goals for his first season in England. This clearly shows that he is capable of scoring goals but has rarely played well in an Arsenal shirt when employed at the center forward position.

Against Cardiff Podolski was played as a Center Forward. He was not able to hold up play like Giroud does and also hesitated a lot and missed a clear chance. He was eventually substituted after a poor performance. He just had one attempt on goal against Cardiff. Podolski’s passing is also much better on the left wing. Bendtner just came on for half an hour and managed to have more shots and more headed duels won than Poldolski, clearly highlighting the German’s inability to play at center forward.

The only option Arsenal has now to buy an established Center Forward who can fill the gap left by Walcott and Giroud and also fight for Giroud for a spot in the starting line up, providing healthy competition to everyone. Some options Arsenal have are:

1. Dimitar Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov issued a “come and get me” plea to manager Arsene Wenger as he wants away from Fulham. In 15 appearances he has 4 goals for Fulham this season. However he performed much better last season scoring 15 goals in 33 appearances and also creating 46 chances for his team. Arsenal can sign Dimitar for a short term replacement. Berbatov will come cheap too and he will bring experience of performing for the highest teams and also the ability to create chances and score goals.

2. Alexandre Pato

Alexandre Pato plays for Corinthians as a Striker. He is almost as quick as Walcott and has a good control over the ball. He has scored 9 times in 30 appearances and also has created 16 appearances. He is a versatile player and can play in many postions. Would be a good long term buy for Arsenal as could play for many positions and is just 24.

3. Alvaro Morata

Real Madrid are finally ready to loan out young Alvaro Morata for £1.7million. This is another short term option for Arsenal. They can loan in Morata and have an exciting talent for them. He has scored 2 goals in 10 appearances for Madrid, mostly as a substitute. Securing Morata on loan will give Arsenal a center forward till the end of the season while they can arrange the finance and scout reports to go for a big signing.

Whoever Arsenal may sign, Arsenal need to do it quickly as Lukas Podolski isn’t good enough for a center forward and is better of at the left flank.