Podolski...again...

Searched the threads but couldnt see the last one about Podolski, I saw this on twitter tonight regarding a deal arranged for the Summer.

http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/premier-league/transfer-rumours/1589/21/reports-arsenal-agree-deal-podolski

No coincidence that these kind of 'done deal' stories come out around Season Ticket renewal time..

We shall see....I am actually expecting Wenger to get straight out there this window coming and get who we need....prove me right Wenger...

Bring in Podolski and Goetze before the Euros Arsene. We know you want to.
I've seen a few people rubbish this rumour, and while there isn't any real evidence to support it, it's not impossible.

Is it not similar to what Bayern have done with Shaquiri? Or is that completely different?

Well its in the german press only so doubt its closely linked to our season tickets somehow, the paper that published have a very good reputation as well. Signing someone like Podolski makes financial sense to in the way that we will no doubt be selling Park, Bentdner, Vela and Chamakh and those fees will go a long way to meaning we arent out of pocket.

I strangely just bought him on my FIFA season yesterday. Weird. He fits in perfectly.

It's all over the place. It's coming from Bild, which apparently is reliable. But is he replacing Arshavin, or RVP? He hasn't played on the left for Koln this season, only down the middle:

http://www.whoscored.com/Players/6040/

Hopefully he is not replacing RvP. I doubt anyone can do that, let alone someone in what would be his first season in the EPL. Hopefully, Robin retires with Arsenal.

He ideally compliments RVP, in that he can play on the left, or play centrally when RVP is rotated.

Regardless of whether it is a done deal or not - and frankly we can only speculate on that - he is exactly the calibre of signing we need and plays in exactly the areas we need reinforcing. He's a major international with a point to prove at domestic level and a proven record of scoring goals. We could do with a starter on the left and Christ knows we need to have better back up to RvP. He's excellent on the ball, quick, strong, good in the air, has an eye for a pass... all of which makes me think it won't happen, of course. But I hope it does.

Agree with all Chris said. He'd be a brilliant signing, good age too, and if this is true I like the fact we are starting the transfers early this time.

Mike York wrote:Agree with all Chris said. He'd be a brilliant signing, good age too, and if this is true I like the fact we are starting the transfers early this time.

If it is true, this isn't necessarily a sign that we're getting it all done early, or that we haven't tried to do this before. Last season we got Gervinho in early, the season before Chamakh and Koscielny, Vermaelen the one before. It was only last September that we added several significant players after the season started. It's not like it's a habit, clearly last summer was an exceptional case (Wenger has alluded to this himself).

Excellent signing. Add Hazard/Goetze and we win the treble.

Great signing - and I like the fact the lad didnt want to come in Jan and fuck up his chance of playing in the Euros ... he can now come for next season , yes that might mean he will never play for his national team again cause lets face it the modern wenger striker signing is jinxed but great none the less

Please not at the expense of RVP because that would be like Madrid swapping Mourihno for Big Sam !!!!!!

Perfect signing if that article is to be believed. Not only do we have a competent back-up striker now, this allows us to rotate our front three more efficiently next season. This also probably signals the end of Chamakh's, Bendtner's, Vela's, and Arshavin's time at Arsenal. Which is fine by me; we still have van Persie, Gervinho, Walcott, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Miyaichi, Park, and possibly Podolski at our disposal. And that's a fantastic prospect.

Report in Bild says that we have agreed a deal with Podolski. ONLY thing remaining is we agreeing the transfer fee with Köln (which could be above 18m Euros). Kind of a no news!

Interesting thing in the article is that we made a bid of 20m euros in May'11 and 23m euros in Nov'11 for a change in Jan. It means that we did try to not remain a poor team!

What Flanagan said, no point in bringing in average players, god knows we have plenty of those. We need players who can add value to our first team which Podolski will do. Add another real quality midfielder, get Jack back and RVP will ask 'where can i sign'

Christopher Flanagan wrote:Regardless of whether it is a done deal or not - and frankly we can only speculate on that - he is exactly the calibre of signing we need and plays in exactly the areas we need reinforcing. He's a major international with a point to prove at domestic level and a proven record of scoring goals. We could do with a starter on the left and Christ knows we need to have better back up to RvP. He's excellent on the ball, quick, strong, good in the air, has an eye for a pass... all of which makes me think it won't happen, of course. But I hope it does.

Aye. I do hope the transfer fee is modest.

I still feel we need another player in, a creative player. But having RVP, Podolski and Afobe ready to play up top is a decent selection. Assuming he'll also play on the wings, that means Gervinho, Podolski, Walcott, Ox...with Miyaichi and Joel Campbell (hopefully) available as well. But I think we need a player for the Ramsicky position. According to whoscored.com, Podolski's played thereabouts as well... but I'd rather a Haz-otze. Would be quite lubbly.

I think we're perfectly well stocked in the back 7 positions.

Zaid Derweesh wrote:

Christopher Flanagan wrote:Regardless of whether it is a done deal or not - and frankly we can only speculate on that - he is exactly the calibre of signing we need and plays in exactly the areas we need reinforcing. He's a major international with a point to prove at domestic level and a proven record of scoring goals. We could do with a starter on the left and Christ knows we need to have better back up to RvP. He's excellent on the ball, quick, strong, good in the air, has an eye for a pass... all of which makes me think it won't happen, of course. But I hope it does.

Aye. I do hope the transfer fee is modest.

I still feel we need another player in, a creative player. But having RVP, Podolski and Afobe ready to play up top is a decent selection. Assuming he'll also play on the wings, that means Gervinho, Podolski, Walcott, Ox...with Miyaichi and Joel Campbell (hopefully) available as well. But I think we need a player for the Ramsicky position. According to whoscored.com, Podolski's played thereabouts as well... but I'd rather a Haz-otze. Would be quite lubbly.

I think we're perfectly well stocked in the back 7 positions.

Afobe is decent back up for RVP? Pinning such a big responsibilty on a kid who hasnt played higher than league 1 football is asking for trouble.

Not a direct backup, for me he'd be third in line behind Podolski (which is clearly stated in my post). If he's as good as we're hearing, then I think third in line is a good distance from the first team. Realistically we'd probably have one of Park or Chamakh there as well, unfortunately.

Oliver Bierhoff believes Arsenal would be the perfect destination for Lukas Podolski amid reports linking the striker with a move to the Emirates this summer.

The Germany international, who's scored 15 goals in 18 Bundesliga appearances for Koln this term, was reportedly a target for Arsenal in in January.

Koln coach Stale Solbakken has already conceded the 26-year-old could secure a move to the Premier League this summer and hinted the club would not stand in the way of any transfer.

Former Germany striker Bierhoff feels a move for Podolski has come at the right time in his career and maintains Arsene Wenger has the capability to improve the forward's game.

"The heart of Podolski belongs to Cologne," Bierhoff told Express. "But he's now at an age, where he has to think about his future.

"For Podolski it [Arsenal] would be a good place [to play], because Arsene Wenger is an outstanding coach, who could bring Lukas to a next level."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/02/29/2937815/bierhoff-backs-podolskis-potential-arsenal-move

If the rumours are true, and the wages are agreed between player and club, then this is a huge step. While we might be able to match the other big clubs in transfer fees, our biggest issue has been breaking our wage structure to match the wages competing clubs offer to players.

What a perfect signing he would be.

We must sign him.

Even if it means placing the whole club at risk of bankruptcy.

Zaid Derweesh wrote:Not a direct backup, for me he'd be third in line behind Podolski (which is clearly stated in my post). If he's as good as we're hearing, then I think third in line is a good distance from the first team. Realistically we'd probably have one of Park or Chamakh there as well, unfortunately.

I think joel campbell will be above afobe in pecking order if he manages to get work permit.we cant rely on a player with no senior football experience at top level to be even a plan of first team.we can just hope he turns out good and contribute something towards first team in the season.

Things I really want to happen: this.

He would literally be a perfect attacking signing for us right now. If we get him in at the start of the summer it will be a real sign of intent.

Come on, Arsene!