In response to a recent interview in which Lukas Podolski suggested he would rather play centrally, as part of a front two instead of his current left wing (after a fashion) position his national team coach Joachim Loew had this to say:

'He can play this role, but in my opinion he is better behind a central point or on the left side to bear right. At the front is not his ideal position.'

Podolski's original quotes were these:

'I’d rather play centrally up front. On the left I have to do a lot of defensive work, constantly run up and down. I am not a classical winger.

It [the move to Arsenal] was a change, a different country, a new club. I found a good deal indeed. But I demand more and I want to play even better.'

Everyone wants to play centre forward at Arsenal right now, don't they? Walcott, Podolski, Mannone....

When Podolski first broke onto the scene he played as a striker for Cologne, though this later became a 'number 10' position, especially on his return there.

His unhappy period at Bayern was played mainly on the left wing, though it's worth pointing out that many of his problems came from moving too early in his career and moving down the pecking order.

Whatever his position, it's worth pointing out that Podolski has never been prolific at club level, his 18 goals last term being a career high.

After a bright start to his Arsenal career, Podolski's performances have tailed off of late, though he scored in the draw with Fulham. It's a typical move to blame poor form on positioning, and Podolski has played all his 101 games for Germany on the left, not necessarily a winger but more of a wide forward, the way he does for Arsenal.

Those 101 games have yielded 44 goals, so he must be doing something right. Certainly playing him as a number 10, perhaps giving Cazorla a rest, is an idea, but a little patience and he should be back in form.

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