By Alan Duffy
Only one week ahead of the start of the new Premier League campaign, Arsenal new-boys Lukas Podolski, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud all made their first appearance for the Gunners away at Köln on Sunday.
All three impressed, although Frenchman Giroud did miss a few decent chances. Spanish schemer Cazorla was superb in behind Giroud while Podolski, returning to his former club, started slowly before netting a penalty and then a fine left-footed strike after good work from Kieran Gibbs.
Thomas Vermaelen opened the scoring after Per Mertesacker flicked on a corner, in true Steve Bould/Tony Adams stylee. However, sub Gervinho bagged the goal of the game while Robin Van Persie did make an appearance late on. Interestingly, a section of Gooners sung “Lukas Podolski, he scores when he wants”. Make of all that what you will!