Lukas Podolski was a fan favourite during his time at Arsenal.

The German only played 82 games for the Gunners and wasn’t a world-beater by any means. Yet, the supporters loved him, and he is adored by them even to this day.

Now, Arsenal have been linked with a player who could be their new Podolski – Said El Mala.

Arsenal offered a chance to sign Said El Mala

Said El Mala is one of Köln’s most important players.

The 20-year-old was a target for many clubs in the summer. Brighton and Hove Albion were keen to sign him, while Brentford even had a €55 million bid accepted for him.

No move materialised in the end, but there is a good chance that he could be on the move to a bigger club in one of the two transfer windows of 2027.

Football Transfers have revealed that Arsenal have been ‘presented with the chance’ to sign El Mala as they look to strengthen their left wing.

The Gunners sold both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in the summer, and Christos Tzolis was the only player who was brought in as a replacement.

The Greek international is currently injured, so Mikel Arteta has been forced to deploy Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke there instead.

El Mala would be a very interesting option. The young German scored 13 goals and provided five assists in his first-ever Bundesliga season in 2025/26. He even earned a senior international call-up after impressing Jurgen Klopp.

Now, Arsenal have the chance to sign him, but whether Andrea Berta will show any interest in the January transfer window remains to be seen.

Said El Mala has been compared to Lukas Podolski

El Mala is quicker than Lukas Podolski was at Arsenal, and he appears to be a much better dribbler too. But there are many similarities.

The current Köln star has a similar build to the former Gunners’ number nine. He is a powerful runner, and it’s very difficult for opponents to push him off the ball. Furthermore, like Podolski, El Mala can play both as a left winger and as a striker, and he has a powerful shot on him.

El Mala was given the number 10 shirt at Köln at the start of this season, becoming the first player to don that shirt since – you guessed it – Podolski before he left for Arsenal.

Now, if the 20-year-old does move to the Gunners in January, he will become the first player since Podolski to make that transfer as well.