Lukas Podolski: A Square Peg in a Round Hole at Arsenal and Bayern Munich
A benchwarmer at Arsenal, it is deja vu for Lukas Podolski, as he was also a misfit at Bayern Munich.
His passive-aggressive behaviour is why he has become a square peg in a round hole at his second major European club.
"I like London, I like the club [Arsenal], but I don't like the situation," Podolski said, per Kicker (h/t AFP via FOX Sports). "I'm not some clown who can sit out his contract in the stands."
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Translation: "I can't believe Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not starting me."
Last April, Wenger praised Podolski as if to say, "Look, I have reformed him."
"Honestly he has a great attitude," Wenger said, per Nik Brumsack at Arsenal.com. "He never moans, he never has a bad phase, he is always positive."
Wenger spoke too soon.
It was prisoner-of-the-moment thinking from Wenger to believe Podolski's drama-filled and resentment-riddled tenure at Bayern would not resurface at Arsenal in the face of adversity.
Cologne's most gifted footballer since Thomas Hassler, Podolski was a can't-miss prospect.
Moving to Bayern in June 2006 for €10/£7.9 million on a four-year contract earning €2.5/£2 million per annum, Podolski was under immense pressure to perform.
The expectations escalated when he returned to Bayern after being named the best young player at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, beating Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo to the award.
Enter: Felix Magath.
In October, then Bayern manager Magath called out Podolski and Dutch centre-forward Roy Makaay for lacking "the ability to assert" themselves, per Bild (h/t ESPN FC).
Podolski deflected Magath's criticism of being nonchalant by citing a multitude of excuses, per Deutsche Presse-Agentur (h/t Raw Story):
- Little communication with Magath.
- Low chemistry with Makaay.
- Homesickness.
- Inexperience (still 21 years old).
The implication being Magath was not utilising Podolski the correct way, a la Cologne and Germany.
"My favourite anecdote about Magath is certainly when he called Podolski into his office, saying nothing, just stirring his tea in silence
— Harry (@thefulhamblog) February 14, 2014"
Exit: Magath. Enter: Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Averaging 0.20 goals per league game under Hitzfeld—which marginally increased to 0.23 for all games—Podolski continued to regress.
Hitting out, he mischievously discussed transfer interest from Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur.
"I was informed of the interest of both of these clubs," Podolski said, per Express (h/t The Telegraph). "I find it very interesting."
Rather than address being a flop under Hitzfeld, Podolski pointed to his record for Cologne and Germany, which irked then Bayern general manager Uli Hoeness.
"When I read interviews where [Podolski] says he does not need to prove anything anymore, I think he could not be further from the mark," Hoeness said, per Suddeutsche Zeitung (h/t PA Sport via SBS). "He has actually not achieved anything and if his attitude does not change a lot, then he will not make it here."
Exit: Hitzfeld. Enter: Jurgen Klinsmann.
When Klinsmann was playing for Bayern, he and Lothar Matthaus "would tend to get stuck into players verbally," per Dietmar Hamann's autobiography.
Klinsmann, who is blunt and has no filter, is the antithesis to Hitzfeld, who is "too nice."
If you think Landon Donovan was treated with disdain, Podolski was humiliated when he did not perform under Klinsmann.
"It would be easier for [Podolski] to bring forward arguments to support his case with a couple of good performances," Klinsmann said, per Sky Sports. "If he needs someone to cuddle and support him, perhaps he should buy a cat."
Not only did Podolski falter when afforded golden opportunities, but he also hated the daily grind of Bayern.
"He cannot deal with the situation of having two players in front of him," Klinsmann said, per FCBayern.com (h/t the Daily Mail). "I would have hoped he had some anger, which he would express in his game and he say to himself: 'I will show them what I have got.'"
Vexed by Podolski's downtrodden, sad and unhappy mood, Bayern management agreed a €10/£7.9 million deal in January 2009 to sell him back to Cologne in the summer transfer window.
Then Bayern president Franz Beckenbauer claimed Podolski "gave up a little too early," per Deutsche Welle.
Exit: Klinsmann. Enter: Jupp Heynckes.
- October 7, 2008: Bayern give Klinsmann vote of confidence.
- November 28, 2008: Podolski announces intentions to quit Bayern.
- January 19, 2009: Bayern agree to send Podolski back to Cologne in the summer.
- April 27, 2009: Klinsmann is sacked by Bayern.
- April 28, 2009: Heynckes named Bayern interim coach.
Heynckes, one of Germany's greatest centre-forwards with 220 Bundesliga goals (who transitioned into a UEFA Champions League-winning manager), was more understanding of Podolski's complex persona.
Unlike Klinsmann, who wielded an iron fist, Heynckes put his arm around Podolski.
Instead of leaving Bayern as a bona fide failure, he departed as an in-form star (scoring two goals and registering five assists in five Bundesliga games under Heynckes).
Regret—not vindication—was Podolski's predominant feeling.
"From a purely sporting perspective, returning to Cologne was certainly not helpful," Podolski said, per Bild (h/t FourFourTwo). "I believe that if Jupp Heynckes had arrived...earlier in 2009, I would probably still be at Bayern now."
It was a sliding doors moment.
That is why Podolski is to Bayern what Jose Antonio Reyes is to Arsenal: a story of what could have been.
Podolski "is known for his cheerful nature," and he used humour to deal with his Bayern struggles.
"Why would [Hoeness] need to kick my behind?" Podolski said, per Brian Carroll at The Irish Independent. "I've barely played at all this season, so it's not like I've been underperforming."
It was a funny comeback from Podolski—just like his witty Instagram hashtag (#BreakFromTheBench) that accurately depicts his current status at Arsenal.
"A picture that couldn't sum up Lukas Podolski, and his contribution, any more perfectly: pic.twitter.com/VHsnIseR8q
— No CLlew Davies (@NoCLlew) November 25, 2014"
| Lukas Podolski 2014-15 | Minutes Played/Maximum Minutes | Minutes Played % |
| Premier League | 46/1,080 | 4.3 |
| UEFA Champions League | 39/450 | 8.7 |
The multi-million pound question you might have on your mind is: What is going on between Wenger and Podolski?
Judging by Podolski's passive-aggressive behaviour towards Magath, Hitzfeld and Klinsmann, there could be a disconnect with Wenger.
Perhaps, from Wenger's point of view, Podolski has already tuned out at Arsenal—like he did at Bayern.
"For [Podolski] there is only Cologne, Cologne and Cologne," Hoeness said, per Deutsche Welle. "He dreams of Cologne day and night."
When not specified, statistics via WhoScored.com.
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