Thought he was brilliant in Holland, and playing for the national team. Lost his way a bit at Barca, so hopefully he got "big club syndrome" out of his system.

Podolski - Robin - Afellay

With Gervais/Theo/Oxlade to fight for 3rd choice and Giroud to back Robin up, and we're sorted up front. Now onto the midfield...

Don't want he's injury prone

One ruptured ACL doesn't constitute proneness to injury. Afellay would be a great addition if Barca don't ask for too much money. I have a feeling that he'll stay in Spain for at least another year though. Might be just as well too. He might need a season worth of games to fully get back in shape.

Dont think he lost his way at Barca at all. Considering the competition for places he was actually doing pretty well until his injury.

We aren't linked.

Personally, I don't particularly rate him - he's technically very good, but never been convinced by his ability to actually get it done in the final third. That said, he's obviously a talented kid, despite his setbacks, so it's really about where he sits against the sort of 2nd tier attacking midfielders that are likely to sit within our price bracket. I'd prefer Dempsey.

We even linked?

Ray Fakadakis wrote:

Please sign him

We already have Ramsey as a central attacking mid and Gervinho on the flank.

dont have an opinion on this, but i'd have the same concern asa does - technically great, good ability to combine with others, but does he have end product?

Affelay ticks all the boxes and thats why this signing isn't happening... Wenger doesn't want to kill gervinho.

Think the more likely scenario is that Barca don't want to let him go. Gervinho 'died' the moment we signed Podolski.

I'm just hopeful that Wenger sees Podolski as a wide-left option. He can be a bit of an odd fish sometimes.

Always thought Poldi is a little limited as a wide player, unless we play him on the left so he can cut in.

But hey! Hazard says Gervinho is the best player he has ever played with so... 😉

Gervinho is a better wide forward than Podolski. There, I said it.

I genuinely think Gervinho will come good towards the end of the coming season, injuries and African cup of nations permitting. I think he can become a 15 + 15 player for us in time.