Podolski backed by Wenger to be new Robin van Persie

Posted Saturday, May 04, 2013 by The Sun

SUCCESSION PLAN ... Lukas Podolski has been backed by Arsene Wenger

LUKAS PODOLSKI will be given the chance to succeed Robin van Persie and become Arsenal’s long-term goal king.

The £11million ace has scored 14 times since joining from Cologne last summer despite playing on the wing for much of the season.

Podolski, 27, who started as a lone striker in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United last Sunday, will once again lead the line against QPR today with Olivier Giroud suspended.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger said: “Lukas was a little bit rusty against United because he had not played a lot.

“I believe it is his best position. Him and Theo Walcott are two of the best finishers.

“This is a good opportunity for him to show that he has a future in this position.

“He wants to play there, but today all the players who play on the flanks want to play there.”

Walcott has repeatedly insisted he wants to play as a central striker.

Wenger granted his wish and played him up front for a spell but the England star has now been switched back to the right wing.

Frenchman Giroud has also enjoyed a decent opening season up front with 17 goals following his £13m move from Montpellier.

With Stevan Jovetic set to sign from Fiorentina, Arsenal are likely to have plenty of options going forward.

As for Podolski’s first season in English football, Wenger said: “He has done well.

“He also had the European Championships last summer and came back without a real rest.
“Overall if you look at his numbers he had quite a good season — not through the middle, on the flanks.

“But I’m convinced through the middle he can have a great goalscoring record.”

German Podolski has the chance to increase his tally against teams near the bottom.

Arsenal face already relegated QPR today, while on Tuesday week, Wenger’s side play FA Cup finalists Wigan before finishing the campaign at Newcastle.

The boss was asked yesterday whether his team are playing all these clubs at a good time.

He said: “It’s difficult to know. Maybe you will meet a team who is firing on all cylinders.”

QPR have endured a torrid season despite shelling out millions this season.

Wenger added: “It’s always turbulent when you go down.

“They had a decision to make in January where they had to take a gamble to stay in the Premier League but it was already very late. They tried.

“Sometimes the big names bring you what you don’t have in the team but it’s not always necessarily the case.”