Former Arsenal star Lukas Podolski wants to see fellow German Kai Havertz used in a different position by Mikel Arteta. Having completed 90 minutes in all-but one Premier League match this season, Havertz is already on five goals and one assist.
The 25-year-old has been deployed as a 'false 9' in all of those matches with his hold-up and general play helping bring others into the game. Questions surrounding his future in that role have been regular, though, with many of the belief Arsenal need to sign an elite-level striker to end their wait for a top-flight medal.
Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Newcastle United ace Alexander Isak are two names to have been strongly linked, with the Gunners handed a potential boost on the latter earlier this week. "The days when teams don't sell big players are gone," Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted in a press conference.
"I think our revenue streams aren't where we'd want them to be. We're still trying to grow them, so I think trading in and out is going to be essential."
While Arteta is whole of belief in Havertz, someone very familiar with scoring for Arsenal is less convinced, and instead believes he would be better off in another position. Podolski spent two-and-a-half years at the Gunners and bagged 31 goals after joining in the summer of 2012 when Robin van Persie departed for Manchester United.
"He does well, but I think when you put Kai behind a good striker he has more potential, but let's see, it's only my view from outside," he told radio station talkSPORT. "I don't know if when he was younger that his position was a proper No.9, but for me he's not a classic No.9 striker."
The 39-year-old, who's still playing professional football in his home county of Poland with Gornik Zabrze, has also issued a verdict on Arsenal winning trophies.
Podolski went on: "Let's cross our fingers that this season will be good and we win the Premier League and maybe something happens in Europe. I think they are building something great, good structure, good atmosphere, but we as the fans from outside, we want something at the end."