Lukas Podolski's Hopes of Resurrecting His Arsenal Career Seem Futile

When Lukas Podolski left Arsenal in the January transfer window to join Inter Milan on loan, the idea that he could play for the Gunners again seemed inconceivable.

With the move to Serie A having been an unmitigated disaster, Podolski is now pining for the Emirates Stadium once again. However, it’s almost impossible to see him resurrecting his career in north London—a permanent departure this summer seems much more probable.

Podolski went to Italy hoping to kickstart a career that was in stasis at Arsenal. However, during his six months with Inter, Podolski made only eight starts and scored just one goal. He might have changed scene but his fortunes did not improve.

It seems his difficult spell in Italy has led Podolski to reconsider his feelings about Arsenal. Talking to German publication Bild (h/t the Guardian), he said:

I’ve always felt comfortable there. With the fans, with the team and also with the manager. I’m going back to play, I have to say my qualities suit Arsenal.

Inter? Last season went how it went. English football is the one which best suits my style but I know how suddenly everything can change.

This seems like wishful thinking on the part of the player. Much as Podolski might like to see out his Arsenal contract, there is no obvious spot for him in the current squad. At the start of the 2014/15 season, the Gunners had an unbalanced roster with too much attacking talent to comfortably accommodate. The decision to loan out Podolski, Joel Campbell and Yaya Sanogo in January gave the squad much better equilibrium.

Podolski’s customary spot with Arsenal was on the left side of the attack—a spot currently filled by reigning Arsenal Player of the Season Alexis Sanchez. Beyond him, Arsene Wenger is able to call upon the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Welbeck in the attacking wide positions.

Both players are younger, quicker and fitter than Podolski. The German is now 30, and his powers are thus more likely to wane than wax over the coming seasons.

The truth is he’s never quite fitted in at Arsenal anyway. He was ostensibly signed to help replace Robin van Persie at centre-forward, but it quickly became clear he lacked the hold-up play required to be deployed through the middle.

When he was used out wide, the deficiencies in his defensive awareness and work rate were often exposed. He’s always looked a little like a square peg in a round hole, with only his outstanding shooting ability regularly catching the eye.

Despite Podolski stating his intention to remain with Arsenal, rumours continue to circulate of a potential move to Galatasaray. Their former chief scout Mahmet Alpaslan has told Radyospor (h/t Turkish-Football.com) that he considers the player “99 percent” likely to move to Turkey.

That would make sense. Despite Podolski’s protestations to the contrary, it is difficult to see him finding a way back at Arsenal.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2015-16 season. Follow him on Twitter here.