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Euro star

We take a look at Lukas Podolski's display for Germany and what it could mean for new club Arsenal.

Lukas Podolski is on his way to Arsenal next season and Mark Buckingham believes his display for Germany against Portugal shows how he could play a similar role for club and country

Arsene Wenger moved early to boost his squad for next season by agreeing a deal to sign Lukas Podolski from Cologne and the Arsenal manager will be an interested observer of the Germany forward's performances at Euro 2012. Podolski has been signed to help ease the burden on last season's top scorer in the Premier League - Robin van Persie - and his display in Germany's opening game against Portugal offered evidence of how he could slot into the Arsenal team. Playing on the left-hand side, with Mario Gomez the striking spearhead, Podolski produced a performance of discipline in sticking to his position and offering Germany width. In the first half, in particular, Podolski could be found hugging the touchline in space away from the Portugal right-back, even when Germany had the ball on their own right-hand side. He was probably not utilised regularly enough, but showed glimpses of natural wing play in taking on Joao Pereira and occasionally encountering a problem he could face at Arsenal - a lack of numbers in the box when it comes to delivering a cross. The 27-year-old, who was winning his 98th cap for Germany, cut in from the flank after just 10 minutes to hit a shot with the outside of his left foot straight at the Portugal goalkeeper and, on the half-hour, he side-footed wildly over when picked out in the centre of the box. Like Van Persie, he is a natural left-footed player and there are similarities between the two new club team-mates in their ball-striking technique. The way Podolski hammered a first-half free-kick straight into the wall suggests there could be some tasty conversations at set-pieces at the Emirates next season. The left side of attack was probably one area where Arsenal struggled for quality, and consistency of selection, last season and Podolski could certainly be a solution to that issue, in addition to being able to partner Van Persie if Wenger ever reverted to a two-man strike-force. However, given Van Persie's history, it would be no surprise to see Podolski play plenty of games as a main striker. Last season was the first time since joining Arsenal in 2004 that Van Persie had appeared in every Premier League fixture and only once previously had he started more than 20 matches. It would be harsh to describe Podolski as 'Van Persie-lite', but the former Bayern Munich man possesses many similar attributes to the Dutchman, who has been linked with a move away from Arsenal as he enters the final year of his contract. If Van Persie does stay at Arsenal, though, then Podolski showed in his role for Germany against Portugal how he could also be used to complement his new Gunners cohort.

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