According to the German media, talented Bayern Munich and German international striker Lukas Podolski has made his mind clear about leaving the Bundesliga champions during the winter transfer window. Limited appearances under Jurgen Klinsmann at the Allianz Arena have frustrated the Polish-born forward.

With Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose forming a formidable partnership upfront for Munich, Podolski’s stay at Bavaria would be restricted to substitute appearances until and unless both Toni and Klose get seriously wounded in the course of the season. Given Klinsmann’s successful policy of operating Frank Ribery as a connecting ‘midfield-forward’ to Toni and Klose, Podolski’s chance of a regular first team appearance is slim.

Podolski’s announcement of a possible move away from Germany has alerted several top European clubs for the signing of the versatile predominantly left-footed German international. Arsenal is one of the clubs which is expected to move for Podolski. No doubt the Gunners would face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and Real Madrid. Reports from England also suggest that even Roy Keane’s Sunderland are preparing for a audacious bids for Podolski and, can you believe, Patrick Viera.

Arsene Wenger is suffering with his team. With hopes of a premiership title all but over for this season, the Gunners have no other chance but to plan for the future and wrest back some of the lost confidence of the die hard and committed Emirates faithful. Lucas Podolski’s arrival could revive that lost confidence as he would certainly bring versatility and he is a sort of a player who would adjust well in Arsene Wenger’s attacking football principle.

Well, many would think Podolski is similar to Robin Van Persie and his addition would be a surplus to the Gunners yet my personal thinking is Arsenal need a quality international player who has the ability to operate in the midfield in addition to being an out and out striker. Undoubtedly Podolski’s signing would bring flexibility and international class experience to a side which desperately needs someone who can cover enough ground for the whole ninety minutes to dig out results against both Premier League and European oppositions.

With qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in full swing, regular club football is very important, particularly for the German national players who have been warned by Joechim Louw that without proper match fitness there would be no place in the national team and this would act as a great motivation for Lucas Podolski whose eye for goals would benefit any side he plays for.

Arsene Wenger is a class act when it comes to signing match winners, yet for the last few years his restricted entry into the transfer market has put a lot of pressure on N5’s youngsters which have put paid to the North London club’s hopes of winning silverwares. It’s time the Arsenal fans need change within the club. Enough of having belief on youngsters! The time has come to splash the cash(possibly 15millon pounds) in January. The signing of Herr Podolski would be a major step in the right direction. Forget 2008-2009, time to plan for 2009-2010.