Lukas Podolski, Germany

Lukas Podolski might not have made an impact in front of goal Gunners fans his work with Ozil can be replicated with Robin van Persie

Arsenal’s new signing Lukas Podolski showed some encouraging signs for Germany but appeared to have left his shooting boots at the team hotel as his country beat Portugal by a goal to nil.

The forward, uncharacteristically, blazed the ball over the bar from just outside the penalty area on the half hour after good build up play from one of the tournament favourites.

This was not for the lack of trying as he was always keen to move into the penalty area but Thomas Mueller did not spot Podolski, preferring to shoot.

Indeed that first half shot was one of the few chances the striker had to score, with Mario Gomez grabbing the opener ahead of Podolski’s marker.

Despite this, the 27-year-old has the pedigree to score at the highest level as he averages just under a goal every other game for his country.

His link-up play with Mesut Ozil was a joy to behold and when those two combined it led to the biggest danger to Portugal.

If Robin van Persie stays and Podolski forms a good partnership with the Dutchman then the Gunners would be in a significantly better position than what they were last season.

On the down side, Podolski appeared to wilt under pressure – failing to produce a good cross when Chelsea midfielder Raul Meireles was in close company and when Pepe was challenging him, the German’s touch let him down.

Indeed, he was thrown off the ball, literally, by Joao Pereira, with the Portuguese man conceding a foul.