Opinion: Is There A Future For This German Forward (Not Ozil) At Arsenal?

While Arsenal have a couple of German World Cup stars making their name in London, another had shifted away from the Emirates to try his hand or feet in Italy. Lukas Podolski had been a peripheral figure at the start of the season for the Gunners and even voiced his displeasure at his lack of game time. He took matters into his own hand and got a move on loan to Inter Milan and that unfortunately has not worked out for him as he would have wanted.

He has played 9 games for the Milan side and has not found the net once and the 29 year has now stated that Inter do not have to buy him at the end of the season as he ensured that clause was not inserted into the loan deal. In fact, the German also hinted that his Arsenal chapter is not over yet and he could make a return after the end of the season when he decides on his future.

With only 1 year remaining on his contract at Arsenal after this season, he might want to return to the Gunners but Arsenal should be thinking of selling the German.

Old isn’t gold always

Lukas would be 30 by the time his contract would end at Arsenal and more importantly, letting him go on a free is not a proposition which would please any club. Football is a business now and keeping him on the books for another season would not only stunt the growth of another player at the club but would also cost Arsenal money.

It is not like Arsenal will make a huge profit from the sale of Lukas but some money is better than no money. The other point is that Lukas does not get to play in his preferred striker role as he has often been deployed as a winger during his time at Arsenal. He has done well to score around 30 goals in his 2 ½ years at Arsenal but certainly he would not be happy playing out wide all the time.

Arsenal have now gotten better younger quality to play out wide, think about it, they have Sanchez, Ozil, Walcott, Welbeck and not to forget they also have Olivier Giroud who will be the preferred striker for the Gunners. Podolski might be able to provide some support off the bench but him starting at Arsenal with the riches they have in attack is surely not going to happen anytime soon.

It could be a time to return to his hometown club FC Koln once again, they are back in the Bundesliga and would love it to have their old hero back in the team for one last hurrah.