Klose to show Arsenal what they missed out on in World Cup

As Olivier Giroud toiled at the Emirates, missing a glut of chances to claim a first win in six attempts against Manchester United, Arsenal fans may have been left wondering what could have been had the club sealed a January move for Miroslav Klose.

Reports had suggested that Arsene Wenger was keen to secure the services of the 35-year-old as the Gunners go in search of a first Premier League title in 10 years, priced at 7/1 with Ladbrokes.

But come the deadline, no agreement surfaced, with Klose reportedly as disappointed at this development as fans of the north London club were.

And with Manchester City and Chelsea both challenging, it’s a decision that Wenger could come to rue, particularly if the German delivers on the biggest stage of all this summer.

Believed to be a shoo-in for Joachin Loew’s squad alongside Mario Gomez and Max Kruse, the veteran will be desperate to make an impact and is currently a rank outsider to land the Golden Boot award for top scorer, with Ladbrokes pricing him a distant 40/1.

However that represents a price that belies the ability and impact of a forward who is just one goal away from equalling the World Cup Finals record tally of Ronaldo.

Yet while the Brazilian remains a hero in his homeland, Klose represents something of an unheralded presence within the record books of German football.

Perhaps it’s down to his Polish origins, but it’s important to note the achievements of Klose whose four goals in qualifying saw him equal Gerd Muller’s record tally of 68.

And while some may point to his age as a debilitating factor, the reality is that the striker has enjoyed arguably some of his best form at club level over the last couple of years.

Signed on a free by Lazio in June 2011, many were sceptical as to whether the move would work out for Klose, but a tally of 33 goals in 69 shows why it would be foolish to forgo the veteran in favour of his younger rival Gomez.

The 28-year-old aped his international teammate with a move to Serie A and Fiorentina over the summer, but injuries have meant he has managed just three games and may not be fit for the finals.

Loew will also be wary of ignoring Klose following the Euro 2012 debacle. During qualification the veteran star was Die Mannschaft’s top scorer but when the finals came along Gomez was preferred in a starting role, with Germany exiting the competition at the semi-final stage.

Klose may even represent a lucky charm – the national side has never lost a game in which he has scored.

Back the forward to land the golden boot and it may even be wise to look at the odds of Germany to win the tournament, on at 11/2 with Ladbrokes.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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