Arsenal Transfers: 5 Short-Term Replacements For Injured Lukas Podolski

by Joseph Dempsey

hamstring injury. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger had already been rocked by the news influential midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out for 6 weeks while centre-back Thomas Vermaelen isn't expected back in action until the middle of September with a back injury. Meanwhile, Oxlade-Chamberlain's midfield colleagues Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta are also out with knee and thigh injuries, respectively. This all comes as bad news for Wenger at a time when he is receiving a barrage of criticism for not spending this summer on much-needed reinforcements. And new recruits are especially needed now given this latest injury pileup, with Oliver Giroud, Yaya Sanogo and rookie Chuba Akpom the only remaining recognised strikers at Emirates Stadium. Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho have been allowed to leave which has left Wenger woefully short of attacking options. Surely now the infamously-stringent Wenger has to loosen his proverbial purse strings and splash the cash on a new striker? Or maybe he already has someone who can take the Germany international's place until he gets back? Whatever the case, here, we take a look at 5 Short-Term Replacements For Lukas Podolski.

Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.