Lukas Podolski: 5 Players Arsenal Should Target to Replace Departing Forward
Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski is set to join Inter Milan on loan this January, according to reports, and Gunners manager Arsene Wenger could now cast his eye towards a replacement.
Ed Aarons of the Guardian confirmed that Podolski "arrived in Italy to complete his loan move" on Friday night.
Aarons continued: "He [was] expected to have a medical on Saturday and sign until the end of the season, with Inter believed to have an option to make the deal permanent in the summer."
The 29-year-old scored 19 goals in 60 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.
However, Podolski has made just seven substitute appearances this season.
A useful, versatile forward option, Podolski's spell was punctuated by an exceptional finishing nous. However, a notoriously poor work rate dogged his first-team chances under Wenger.
Wenger now has the opportunity to replace Podolski, and although the out-of-favour Joel Campbell would be the preferred option, here are five other options, including a familiar Premier League name.
Roberto Firmino (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)
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First up is TSG 1899 Hoffenheim's phenomenally talented Roberto Firmino, linked with a move to Arsenal in November of last year by the Express' Anthony Chapman.
The 23-year-old has improved consistently in the Bundesliga for the past five seasons, but reached a new plateau last season, hitting 16 goals and making 11 assists in 33 league games.
This season, the Brazilian's mazy dribbling skills have conjured four goals and six assists from 17 Bundesliga games.
In an encouraging contrast to Podolski, Firmino's game is hallmarked by an endearing work rate and defensive contribution.
Furthermore, as he's able to play in a wide variety of positions across the forward line, Firmino would compensate for the loss of Podolski's versatility, as well as complementing a fluid front line including the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Danny Welbeck.
Pablo Piatti (Valencia CF)
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Pablo Piatti would make an interesting signing, after developing into a hugely impressive forward option since his 2011 move to Valencia CF from UD Almeria.
Like Firmino, Piatti is able to perform in a range of attacking roles, and his strong wide play underlines the ability to accommodate for the loss of Podolski in January.
The 25-year-old has made an average of 1.5 crosses per La Liga game so far this season, placing him joint with Ozil, who has made the most of any Arsenal player on average in 2014/15.
Piatti has scored three goals and made five assists in 13 league games so far this season.
Nabil Fekir (Olympique Lyonnais)
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Twenty-one-year-old French-Algerian midfielder Nabil Fekir has been wowing Olympique Lyonnais fans this season with a series of excellent performances in tandem with the outstanding Alexandre Lacazette.
Scoring seven goals so far, Fekir is Ligue 1's joint-sixth highest goalscorer.
Fekir has been deployed mainly as a central attacker this season, but his attributes would lend him well to the versatile role that Podolski played at Arsenal.
Furthermore, Fekir's father recently told French publication Le Parisien (h/t MailOnline) that "If he leaves, it will be for Arsenal. It is the only club that can enable him to progress."
Fekir has the ability to slot straight in at Arsenal, but would likely demand more minutes on the pitch than Podolski was afforded.
Son Heung-min (Bayer Leverkusen)
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According to the Daily Star's Paul Hetherington last month, Arsenal are interested in Bayer Leverkusen's South Korean attacking midfielder Son Heung-min.
After an impressive World Cup, and with some great displays in this season's Champions League, Heung-min is rightfully garnering the praise he deserves.
The 22-year-old can play on either wing, behind the striker or as an auxiliary forward.
However, he is best suited to a wide-left role, much like Podolski during his time with the Gunners.
Scoring five goals and making two assists in 16 Bundesliga games so far this season, Heung-min could bring a lot to an already inspired Arsenal attack.
Andre Schurrle (Chelsea)
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Finally, it may be a controversial move but Chelsea utility forward Andre Schurrle could prove the perfect replacement for Podolski at Arsenal.
Schurrle is as versatile as his compatriot and just as lethal.
Although he wrote in his blog at Sport Up Your Life that "I feel comfortable here and would not think of [leaving Chelsea]," the concession that "I want to be on the pitch as much as possible and score goals for my club" could allude to an unsettled future for Schurrle.
Schurrle has played just 13 Premier League games this season, including eight substitute appearances.
After Chelsea signed former Gunner Cesc Fabregas in the summer, perhaps manager Jose Mourinho could return the favour and offer his own bit-part German to Wenger in January.
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
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