With the Arsenal injury list growing like the stomach of a man on a beer and cheeseburger diet, Arsene Wenger must have been hoping that some of his fringe players showed the determination that they were ready to come into the first team and make a do the business for the Gunners.
And with Arsene Wenger being well known for his attention to detail, I am sure that the Frenchman will be having a good look at how all of his players performed on international duty. So Lukas Podolski can expect a call up to the starting XI when Arsenal host Hull City on Saturday.
He did not do his usual thing and score, but he did play well and make a very poor looking Germany side start to click after coming on at half time. The Arsenal striker did not really get a chance to do what he does best, but we know what a finisher he is. What he did do which Wenger will be pleased with is get involved, work hard and speed the German attack up significabtly. He was also a whole better than the Arsenal transfer target Julian Draxler, the player he replaced at the break.
So apart from the result, with the World Cup holders letting theirt lead slip in the last minute, Lukas will come back to north London feeling good about himself and Wenger must surely try to use that and play him against Hull. Do you agree?