Arsenal legend backs new boys to shine

Tuesday, July 31, 2012
8:43 PM

Martin Keown is excited by Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud, Montpellier

Arsenal legend Martin Keown believes that Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud will be a success at the Gunners.

The north Londoners signed the two forwards, who will link up with their new team-mates after Arsenal return from their pre-season tour of Asia.

“Podolski has come in with an incredible amount of experience,” Keown told Arsenal.com.

“He had a quiet Euros playing in a wide position, so it will be interesting to see where the manager will play him.

“But he is an outstanding player and that is the level of experience we need.

“We have seen Giroud in flashes and it looks like he has got great qualities too. If Wenger is taking him you can be sure he is going to be a top player. So there are lots of plusses.”

Keown played 449 times for the Gunners in two spells between 1981 and 2004.