Former Gunner claims Arsenal lack striker but defends Calafiori signing | OneFootball

Lukas Podolski believes Arsenal don’t have a true number 9, but he’s defended the decision to sign Riccardo Calafiori in the summer.

MILAN, ITALY: Kai Havertz of Arsenal reacts after suffering a head injury and subsequently being substituted off during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on November 06, 2024. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Speaking to the media last week, Lukas Podolski compared Arsenal’s forward options with that of their Champions League opponents Inter Milan.

The former Gunner suggested his old club are lacking someone like Inter’s Marcus Thuram, claiming fellow Germany international Kai Havertz doesn’t quite fit that role.

“Arsenal don’t have a striker like [Thuram],” Podolski said (via Sport Witness). “There’s Havertz, that’s true, but he’s not a number 9. That’s the difference.”

COLOGNE, GERMANY: Former German national player Lukas Podolski seen on the TV platform prior to the international friendly match between Germany and Turkey at RheinEnergieStadion on October 07, 2020. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Over the summer, some Arsenal fans questioned the decision for the club to invest more money in defenders rather than signing a striker, but Podolski stopped short of agreeing with those complaints.

The 39-year-old suggested Arsenal must have known what they were doing signing Riccardo Calafiori, and he believes the player will improve with the Gunners.

“Arsenal are not a club of inexperienced people, they know what they’re doing and if they spent that money it’s because they believe in the player,” Podolski said.

“I honestly say he’s not at his best yet, he has to improve, but it’s just a matter of time.”

LONDON, ENGLAND: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal walks off with a injury during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Arsenal FC and FC Shakhtar Donetsk at Emirates Stadium on October 22, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Podolski has represented both Arsenal and Inter as a player, joining the Serie A side on loan from the Gunners in 2014/15.

The player’s playing career is still going with Gornik Zabrze in the Polish first division, and he’s scored two goals in 13 appearances so far this season.