Lukas Podolski - The prince in peril

Lukas Podolski needs to show consistency

Consistency

Lukas Podolski is seen warming the bench more often than not, simply because he is inconsistent with his form. Last year’s 11 goals were not really a letdown, if you see that he had scored 18 and 13 goals over the last two years before he joined the Gunners.

So, if you bring in a period of teething, Podolski actually did quite well. But is 11 goals enough from a player who is touted to be one of the best German midfielders?

He averaged 1.6 shots a game, which is a tad too less for a forward attacking player. He did however grab the second most assists, with his 9 falling just one short of Walcott’s 10.

But Podolski rarely has shone against the cream of the Premier League, which is essentially the top 4.

In his last campaign, Podolski scored one goal each against Liverpool and Spurs, which are formidable oppositions, but are not in the list. The remaining nine goals came against weaker opposition. He has been unable to prove himself as a big game player, and that will not go down easy with Wenger.

If Poldi does want to cement his spot in the first team at the Emirates, he will need to recreate the class he displayed at Craven Cottage yesterday.

Scoring goals and creating sharp chances is the only way he can carve out a spot for him, because if Wenger does really mean to spend, the attack will get a greater share of the transfer chest, and that could spell the end of him.