Showing posts with label Cologne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cologne. Show all posts
Strike duo Thierry Henry and Lukas Podolski would fit right in at Arsenal, according to Gunners defender Per Mertesacker.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is contemplating a loan move for his former captain Henry, who has been training at London Colney and will not be back in competitive action with the New York Red Bulls until the opening of the Major League Soccer season in March. The Gunners have also been heavily linked with Cologne striker Podolski, as Wenger looks for attacking cover when the transfer window opens again in January.
Mertesacker has seen first hand what both men can offer, training alongside Henry in recent weeks and playing against Podolski in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen as well as with him for Germany.
The centre-half said: "Henry has a lot of experience and he is a great opportunity for us, but I am not the manager and I do not know what is possible, for him or for us. In training, Henry shows his class and [it is good] to have him with us."
Mertesacker, 27, signed for Arsenal just ahead of the August transfer deadline and has now settled into the hustle and bustle of top-flight English football. And he feels Podolski, 26, could make a similar positive transition.
"He is a powerful, great player, especially for the national team. He has scored a lot of goals, is a good striker with a very good finish. His left foot is unbelievable and I am a fan of him," he said.
Theo Walcott says Gervinho will be a “breath of fresh air” after the summer signing bagged his first two goals for the Club at the weekend.
The Ivorian striker had already opened his Arsenal account with a delicate lob by the time Walcott’s inch-perfect cross allowed him to tuck home his second after just 15 minutes against Cologne on Saturday.
Aside from his brace, the new addition looked a constant threat in Germany and Walcott is excited by what his new team-mate brings to the squad.
“Gervinho will be a breath of fresh air I think,” he said. “He looks a great talent.
“You can tell he can bring goals, he has got plenty of pace about him and he is very comfortable on the ball. I am looking forward to playing with him.
“You don’t want to put too much pressure on him but I am sure he can deal with that.”
