Arsenal Transfers: What Would Van Persie Staying Mean for Podolski and Giroud?

The tide that seemed to be carrying Robin van Persie out of North London looks to be losing momentum.

With Arsenal as active as any team in England in the transfer market this summer, the Dutchman has lost any justifiable reason for wanting to leave, unless his only ambition was to get paid.

But, assuming the role of the optimist for the sake of the article, I will choose to believe that money isn't the root of his evil, and that, considering the business that Arsene Wenger has done this and last month, he will decide to remain at the club that made his name.

But if this is the case, what of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud?

Are their positions at the club about to be marginalised before either has played a single game for Arsenal?

For one I would argue no, the other yes.

Podolski is more than capable of playing off van Persie as a second striker or even on the left flank in place of the improving Gervinho.

Although one could argue that he plays his best football as the sole striker, the German forward is a far more versatile player than many give him credit for.

Giroud, on the other hand, I hold out far less hope for.

Indeed, it was believed that in bringing the French striker to the club, Wenger was preempting the departure of van Persie.

But with both playing at the Emirates, Giroud may have to content himself with a bit-part in his first season, and consequently try to make the most of whatever opportunities come his way.

Arsenal are not a team capable of playing a traditionally British 4-4-2 formation.

Their style has long been adapted into the more continental 4-2-3-1, deploying two holding midfielders, and three to roam in front or vice versa.

This being said, injuries or other unforeseen circumstances may indeed give Giroud playing time to prove his worth.

But as the situation currently stands, it seems that the Frenchman is the only loser at Arsenal if the Gunners' disgraced hero decides to ask his club for forgiveness.