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Lukas Podolski Turned into Tragic Hero with Farewell Letter to Arsenal?

By Josh Sippie

Twitter @Podolski10
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Lukas Podolski has completed a deal to sign with Turkish side Galatasaray, as he has inked a contract that will keep him in Turkey until he is 34, at which time he will look to return to FC Koln.

But the epic of Lukas Podolski did not end quietly and it did not end with fireworks or drama. It ended with absolute class and dignity. Here is the farewell letter that the thunder-footed German sent to Arsenal nation:

I never had a problem with Lukas Podolski. I did not understand why Arsene Wenger never played the guy, particularly given the fact that he scored just about as frequently as the striker who joined Arsenal with him, Olivier Giroud. As such, we here at Pain in the Arsenal recently debated whether or not Arsene Wenger did the right thing and I am still not entirely sold.

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Podolski had a good goal return. It was not great, but it was a good return. At a time where Arsenal need some striker prowess, Podolski could have been a potential answer. But I have said all this before.

Lukas Podolski had an up-and-down Arsenal life. He went from regular playing time gradually down to no playing time and then onward to a failed loan. That is the kind of transition that will leave a sour taste in your mouth towards the organization that did it to you.

Look at Nicklas Bendtner for instance. He had no fond words for Arsenal, and I do not exactly hold it against him.

Podolski spoke about his decision after the fact (via Goal.com): “After good and open talks with Arsene Wenger I came to the conclusion that a change was the right decision.”

Again, everything about this could-have-been-negative scenario has positive written all over it.

Lukas Podolski always wanted to succeed at Arsenal but in the end, he was mature enough to realize that he just did not fit in with their plans. As much as he tried to be the hero of the team, but was not afforded the right opportunities.

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Through it all, how will the hammer-toed German be remembered? Some may say he was a failure, but his goal returns quash that assertion. Some may say he was lazy. To some degree, he may not have had the work ethic of say, Alexis Sanchez. Still also he may be seen as a one-trick pony, with his monstrous left foot being arguably the eighth wonder of the world. Maybe he was just mismatched for the direction Arsenal was headed, in which case it is no fault of his own but Arsene Wenger’s.

Or, combine them all and he comes across as a tragic hero. Despite his best (and should have been more than adequate) efforts, there was nothing he could do to save his career at his ‘second home.’

For what it’s worth, I am sure Lukas Podolski has won over many fans who will be rooting for him wherever he goes for the rest of his professional career. I know I am one of them.

Next: Coquelin a bonafide starter?

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