MX23RW : Monday, February 3 10:57:57| >> :60:1101:1101:

Lukas Podolski to hold crisis talks with Arsenal

Lukas Podolski says that he will stay at Arsenal if he is given assurances by manager Arsene Wenger that he will earn first-team opportunities.

Lukas Podolski has revealed that he is happy to stay with Arsenal, but only if manager Arsene Wenger promises him more first-team chances.

Speculation is rife that the 29-year-old, who has started one game this season, could be leaving the Gunners in January after airing his frustrations over a lack of opportunities.

Germany boss Joachim Low has previously warned him that his international career is in jeopardy unless he plays regularly, and Podolski says that showdown talks with Wenger are needed to clarify his future.

"I have to speak to Wenger because the situation at the moment is not good for me," he told The Express. "I have to play. I am happy at Arsenal and happy in London but I don't have the chance to play.

"I know that only 11 can play but when you come on for just 10 or 15 minutes and it happens every week then you cannot be happy. I am happy with the team, the coach and the club, but I am not playing.

"When I am ready and 100% I could play in the first XI. It is the coach's decision, not my decision. Every player wants to play, every player wants to play in the middle, every player wants to score goals. But it is Arsene Wenger's decision. He picks the first XI and he picks the tactics. I cannot change the style or tactics of the team."

The North Londoners are thought to have slapped a £4m price tag on the former Koln man - who joined Arsenal for £11m in 2012 - but that figure is acting as a deterrent for potential suitors.

ID:189136: cacheID:189136:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2654:
Written by
Shane Callaghan
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea 'keeper Petr Cech during a game against a Thailand XI on July 17, 2013
Read Next:
Report: Chelsea allow Cech to join Arsenal
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal24148249222750
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Manchester CityMan City24125748351341
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2494114242031
12Crystal Palace247982830-230
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd2485112834-629
14Tottenham HotspurSpurs24831348371127
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
16Everton236892328-526
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!