Arsenal’s German international Lukas Podolski has revealed he is ‘unhappy’ with being constantly substituted by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger. And so he should be.
FourFourTwo reports that the former Bayern Munich man has become rather irritated, by the habitual nature at which he taken off this season.
Podolski has made 15 league appearances this season, scoring four goals but he has only completed a full 90 minutes once all season.
When something on the pitch needs changed, it always seems to be the number nine being held up by the fourth official, which frustrates many Arsenal fans.
Against Wigan in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday, it was clear that a different approach would be needed, especially after they went 1-0 down to a Jordi Gomez penalty.
Olivier Giroud was ready to come on and it seemed logical that Santi Cazorla would make way, given that he wasn’t having the best of games, but it was Podolski and the decision was met by plenty of boos.
Not for Podolski’s performance or for Giroud’s entrance, but more because it’s clear that Podolski provides more of a goal threat than his diminutive Spanish teammate.
Arsene Wenger has said this season that Lukas Podolski is the best finisher in the club and yet he resigns him to a peripheral role in the squad.
Surely a forward with Podolski’s experience and pedigree can offer something to Arsenal’s attacking dilemma.
He’s quicker than Giroud, looks to play off the shoulder of the last defender and is a clinical finisher. What more could you want in a number nine?