Lukas Podolski has fired a massive vote of confidence in his old club , insisting Arsenal have “something extra” this season and WILL get over the line in the Premier League title race.
The former Germany forward, who spent three years at the Emirates between 2012 and 2015, reckons Mikel Arteta’s men finally have the bottle to see off Manchester City .
With just 10 games remaining, the Gunners sit TOP of the table, five points clear of Pep Guardiola’s reigning champions, albeit having played a game more .
PODOLSKI’S VERDICT
“I think Arsenal will win the Premier League,” Podolski told Flash Score, with absolutely no hesitation.
“I feel this season there is something extra and I hope so, especially for Mikel. He invests a lot, and he tries a lot. I am happy to also play with him on the pitch.”
That’s not just a punt, that’s a man who’s seen it up close. Podolski played alongside Arteta during those transitional years under Arsene Wenger, when the Spaniard was still pulling the strings in midfield.
Now he’s watching his old mate pull the strings from the dugout and like the rest of us, he’s loving what he sees.
THE NUMBERS GAME
Let’s be real, that one game advantage for City is massive. Arsenal know they can’t afford any slip ups because the champions are breathing down their necks with a game in hand .
But there’s something different about this Arsenal side. They’re not just pretty on the eye, they’ve got a nasty streak now. They’ve got belief. They’ve got Arteta drilling into them every single day.
And they’ve got Podolski’s backing. Which, let’s be honest, counts for something.
WHAT PODOLSKI KNOWS
The 39 year old is still banging them in for Gornik Zabrze in his native Poland, 15 goals this season, because some men just never stop scoring .
But he’s got history with Arsenal. Seventy two appearances. Nineteen goals. An FA Cup winner’s medal. And a genuine affection for a club where things didn’t always go to plan but left a lasting impression.
When he talks about “something extra,” he’s not just waffling. He’s seen Arsenal sides that looked the part but fell short. This one? Different gravy.
THE RUN IN
Arsenal have 10 cup finals. City have 11, but that game in hand means the pressure’s actually on the chasing pack to keep winning.
Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea, Tottenham still to come for both. No easy games. No room for error.
But Podolski’s put his money where his mouth is. Arsenal to do it.
And after two years of so close but so far, maybe, just maybe this is the year.
