I’m sure there were plenty of us wanting to plant a big smacker on the lips of Lukas Podolski after his last minute matchwinner against Anderlecht in the Champions League; he really saved our ‘bacon’.

After the dust had settled on another late show from the Gunners, there was a lot of people suggesting – including me – that Lukas Podolski will be in Arsene Wenger’s starting line-up for Sunderland.

Let’s face it, we need freshening up and the German international knows where the back of the net is. However, having just penned my thoughts on the Arsenal XI I’d start against the Black Cats tomorrow, I omitted the German – which was a surprise to myself.

The case of the former Bayern Munich ace is a bizarre one, really. I mean, his stats are phenomenal for goals-to-games, international caps, shots on target etc, any stats, throughout his career, look favourably upon the 29-year-old.

Podolski has spent the majority of his Arsenal career as a super sub, Wenger’s last throw of the dice when we are desperate for goal. Podolski is, in my eyes, our only genuine matchwinner (Alexis Sanchez, also, perhaps?) and that is a real trait and talent in itself.

The problem Lukas has is the fact that his natural position is not really determined; I mean, can you tell me what the German’s best role is? He’s clearly not an attacking winger? He can’t the lead the line by himself and we never play with two up top so we won’t find that out! Maybe Podolski could be utilised in the No.10 role?

The World Cup winner will obviously not want to accept being a ‘last 20 minutes’ player, however, he keeps delivering when used as that rather than deployed from the start.

Are some footballers just brilliant subs and underwhelming starters? Maybe.

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