Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger: Lukas Podolski can have huge impact
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tips Lukas Podolski to have a "huge impact" after returning from a spell on the sidelines
Arsene Wenger believes that Lukas Podolski can have a “huge impact” for Arsenal after his cameo performance in Thursday’s 3-1 win at West Ham United.
The Germany international replaced the injured Aaron Ramsey in the second half as the 28-year-old made his first appearance since a 2-0 win against Fenerbahce at The Emirates in August.
He has shown he can have a huge impact because he can score and make goals
Arsene Wenger
Podolski, who joined Arsenal from Cologne in 2012, teed up Theo Walcott for his headed goal before the former Bayern Munich forward netted his third top-flight strike of the season.
And Wenger believes that Podolski can be a threat in terms of creating and scoring goals for the Premier League leaders.
“Yes, we had two real wingers from that moment on and it [Podolski’s introduction] made a huge difference because we had good width in our game and that created many problems for West Ham,” Wenger said.
He added: “He has been out for four months, he has not played one game.
“I try to get him slowly back to competitiveness and he has shown he can have a huge impact because he can score and make goals – he can give assists.
“But on the pitch we had Podolski and Walcott and Giroud and Ozil and Cazorla you know when you lose the ball you can be a bit vulnerable but we had to go for it.”
