Just Arsenal News

In the second half of the season, many Arsenal fans were clamouring for Lukas Podolski to be given more time on the pitch, then when he was finally reinstated to the starting XI, the calls started for him to be given the chance to replace Giroud as the out-and-out centre-forward.

Now the fans have finally got what they want but, but after two matches as the main striker, suddenly Podolski is making Giroud seem like he is a natural goalscorer! So the experiment doesn’t seem to have worked and Arsenal are struggling to score goals again. Many pundits have been trying to excyuse Podolski with the rumours that he is set to have some surgery on his ankle in the close season, but Wenger denies that and has vowed to give Podolski time to develop in the central role. .......Read the full article here

With the unlucky Arsenal hitman Olivier Giroud unavailable after his red card against Fulham, Arsene Wenger must yet again decide who to play in the centre-forward position against QPR this weekend. Last week the Frenchman gave Lukas Podolski a go at proving his worth in the centre against Man United, but he was mostly anonymous against the newly-elected Premiership Champions.

This has prompted Theo Walcott to once again re-iterate his desire to be given a chance, and he believes he has performed admirably when played down the middle earlier this season. He said: “I played a few games there and I would like a few more towards the end of the season,” .......Read the full article here

Should Giroud make way for Podolski? by AH

It has been a fair few games since Oliver Giroud last scored for Arsenal, in fact he hasn’t scored since the 2-0 win over Bayern Munich, and his last Premier League goal came back in January when we drew 2-2 with Liverpool at the Emirates. Some time has since past and the Frenchman seems to be going through the same form that made him struggle at the beginning of the season. Still, 17 goals in your first season in what is arguably the toughest league in the world, isn’t half bad and there’s no doubting his finishing ability. It just seems natural that if a striker cannot get the goals you’re relying on then he needs to be replaced until his form comes back. And with Theo Walcott also struggling with form at the moment, one player we need to turn to is the experienced Lukas Podolski. .......Read the full article here

Podolski as Striker, Yes, But… By Twig

Until his substitute appearance against Norwich, Wenger has hardly used Podolski at all in past 2 months or so. That has fueled rumours that Podolski could be on his way out with clubs like Juventus and Galatasaray as possible destinations.

Probably to put to bed those rumours, and obviously with Arsenal in dire need of a goal against Norwich, Wenger brought on Podolski, who responded in kind by hitting the post and scoring a long range effort. One cannot deny that Podolski is clinical when it matters, but when played either on the wing or as centre forward he doesn’t really fit in. .......Read the full article here

There have been thousands of comments on JustArsenal wondering why Arsene Wenger kept refusing to play Lukas Podolski in Arsenal’s recent run of excellent form, and somebody finally decided to ask him straight out for his reasons. Wenger said: “Podolski was injured when we played at Bayern and won,”

“After that, we won at Swansea….sometimes you have periods like that…. and I think he can play as a central striker as well.

“I work a lot with him as a central striker at the moment. He is a quality player and when he comes on you can see that straight away. You don’t get 100 caps by luck. .......Read the full article here

The contract saga with Theo Walcott seems to have gone on for ever, but right now Arsene Wenger is even more certain that the England winger will finally put pen to paper before the end of the month, but the Arsenal manager insists that there is no way that he would ever promise to make Walcott his first-choice centre-forward to clinch the deal.

Wenger said: ‘We are on a good road with Theo. I was optimistic last week, but even more optimistic this week.

‘Do I expect him to sign by the end of the month? Yes. Discussions are going smoothly.’ .......Read the full article here

You won’t score too many goals if you play like that, Theo.. by Twig

Against Reading, Theo was finally given a chance to start as Centre Forward by the manager. Before, he eventually scored, he had missed a one-on-one and has had a shot blocked. Quite amusingly, Cazorla seemed to display more attacking prowess than Theo in that game: launching himself to score with a header (while Theo looked on) and running with perfect timing to slot Podolski’s cross home. .......Read the full article here

Arsenal need Walcott by BD

Over the time that Theo Walcott has been with the gunners, he has been one of the most frustrating players to watch. He has so much potential and the pace that can take apart any defense in the premier league, yet he’s always blown hot and cold for Arsenal. Its now obvious that he isn’t a natural winger hence his appalling crosses from the right, BUT what Theo is good at is running at defenders and getting in behind them with his frightening speed. .......Read the full article here

There are various reports around today saying that Lukas Podolski has told a journalist that he is not happy being stuck out on the wing by Arsene Wenger, and he thinks he would score far more goals for Arsenal if he was used in a more central role. “I’d rather play centrally up front,” Podolski was quoted as saying. “On the left, I have to do a lot of defensive work, constantly running up and down. I am not a classical winger.” .......Read the full article here

The ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright knows exactly what is needed to be a prolific goalscorer in the Premier League, and he is adamant that Theo Walcott has got all the neccessary tools to do exactly that for the Gunners, but thinks that Arsene Wenger is just being stubborn by leaving him out of the team.

Wright said in his column in the Sun: “It is baffling that Theo Walcott is repeatedly starting matches on the bench.

“The time has come for Theo to not only start but to get a run as a central striker.

“Having played in that position, I would like to think I have a good idea of what it takes to operate there. .......Read the full article here

Why does Wenger continue to bench Giroud? by KJ

Giroud coming on as a sub has become a recurring event under this new Arsenal team. Gervinho has been preferred recently in that striker role and I seriously can’t understand the reasoning behind that decision.

Now don’t get me wrong, Gervinho is playing brilliantly and shouldn’t be dropped whatsoever, however, some of the other players have been bang average this season and don’t deserve a starting place.

For example, Chamberlain and Walcott have both been uninspiring in all of their appearances and shouldn’t really be keeping Giroud out of the starting line-up. .......Read the full article here

Last season Theo Walcott formed a great partnership with Robin Van Persie as the Dutchman won the Golden Boot and won the Award for Player-of-the-season, but Arsenal and England winger is desperate to take Van Persie’s position as centre-forward for the Gunners, something that Arsene Wenger doesn’t seem very keen to accept just yet.

When Walcott was being criticized from all sides early last season for his hit-and-miss performances, RVP was continually backing him up and telling the fans to leave him alone, and Walcott is missing that show of solidarity this season. He said: “I do miss him but you’ve just got to get on with it and wish him all the best,” .......Read the full article here