Today the news all Arsenal fans had been waiting for was finally revealed. Podolski will be playing in an Arsenal shirt next season! Arsenal had been continuously linked with Podolski for several months up until now, most notably in January with the club believed to of had a bid rejected. As, it was the players decision to remain with the club until the end of the season to avoid missing out on a first team place with the Germany national squad at Euro 2012. Whilst, his club Koln didn’t want to sell their star man as they battle to avoid relegation. Podolski has signed a long-term deal with the gunners for an undisclosed fee. The German international has been in fantastic form this season, having scored 18 goal in 28 league appearances for a club struggling at the foot of the Bundesliga. Podolski has also scored 43 goals in 95 games for the German international side. In my opinion, this is a fantastic signing for the club and he represents real value for money. Arsenal didn’t have to pay over the odds to complete the signing of the talented German and at the age of 26 he will come to Arsenal with experience and a determination to succeed at a big club.

Per Mertesacker is a close friend of the player and he had this to say previously about the player months before todays confirmed deal: “He has been very interested in the past few weeks and has sent me a number of text messages, I’ve told him that this is a great place to work and that Arsenal are an amazing club. Nothing has been agreed on yet, though, and Lukas hasn’t given me a ring yet.” This highlighted a clear intention from Mertesacker to encourage Podolski to join the Arsenal project and become a valuable member of the Arsenal squad and of course he took Mertesacker’s advice and has now done so.

Arsenal chief scout Steve Rowley had watched the German international several times this season, therefore the London club will have an understanding of the type of player they will be getting for the reported £8-12million fee. Although, this fee has been declared as undisclosed presently.

Lukas can play both on the wing and as a lone striker/ in a striking partnership with Robin Van Persie. This type of quality, versatile player is exactly what the club have been crying out for, over recent seasons. However, many people have raised doubts over whether the player can handle the pressure of being one of the key players at a BIG club and not the only BIG player at any particular club. This point has been raised as Podolski didn’t have the most successful of times at Bayern Munich before capturing his genuine top form at FC Koln over the past two seasons in Germany’s Bundesliga.

The club hover just above the relegation zone and for Podolski to play alongside the likes of: Robin Van Persie, Jack Wilshere, Alex Song etc. you would expect the player’s goal tally to increase significantly in the process. This would prove to be a transition from Wenger’s typical transfer policy with the club conducting its business early. If the club can clear the dead wood in the summer and sign at least two/ three more quality players then the club would be in a great position to challenge next season on all fronts.

So What Can Gunners Fans Expect If The Player Joins Arsenal?

The Arsenal fans can expect:

• A prolific international striker who is at an ideal age to make his next BIG step in order to benefit his career.
• The player continues to enjoy strong form stretching back to the start of last season.
• Podolski is versatile and can play on both wings upfront on his own or partnered with another striker as I previously mentioned.
• Pace, good control and an eye for goal.
• A player motivated at this stage of his career to succeed and win trophies. He is hungry for success and wants to play alongside great players who can complement him.
• An adequate partner for RVP with both players having similar important qualities: pace, hunger, good control, good striking ability and great movement. This partnership could prove to be deadly if it comes to fruition.

Please follow me on twitter! @JasonBoyne94

I hope you enjoyed my article. Please feel free to leave any comments below football fans…