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Wenger - Podolski can spearhead attack

12/13: Arsenal 1-0 Stoke City - Lukas Podolski

Arsene Wenger has praised Lukas Podolski’s attitude and believes he can be effective as a centre forward.

The Germany international came off the bench to seal Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Norwich City at Emirates Stadium with his 14th goal of the season.

Podolski has been used almost primarily on the left-hand side of Arsenal's attack since his arrival last summer, but Wenger says he can thrive down the middle too.

"I work a lot with him as a central striker at the moment. He is a quality player and when he comes on you can see that straight away"

Arsene Wenger

“Podolski was injured when we played at Bayern and won,” the boss said. “After that, we won at Swansea…sometimes you have periods like that and I think he can play as a central striker as well.

“I work a lot with him as a central striker at the moment. He is a quality player and when he comes on you can see that straight away. You don’t get 100 caps by luck.

“Honestly he has a great attitude. He never moans, he never has a bad phase, he is always positive.

“I had Walcott was on the bench [too]. It’s hard to leave everybody out. Nacho Monreal didn’t play and he played extremely well until now.”

Olivier Giroud was also on target against Norwich, with Wenger full of praise for the striker’s second-half display.

“I think he had a very, very average first half and a very, very positive and influential second half. He was much more in the game in the second half," he said.

“He looked in the first half like he was not on the move when he got the ball. In the second half he was much more mobile and that made a difference.”

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