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German international Lukas Podolski has stated that he needs to have a word with Arsene Wenger to clarify his future at Arsenal. According to reports, the German inernational stated that he is happy to be at the club, but seems to be disillusioned with the playing time being afforded to him.
Podolski has only made four substitute appearances for the Gunners in the Premier League this season, in spite of the club lying sixth in the table, 12 points off league leaders Chelsea.
Podolski, who has scored 19 goals in 57 appearances since moving to The Emirates from FC Köln in 2012, has seen most of his appearances in the red and white of Arsenal as a substitute. In fact, he was the most used substitute in the Premier League in his first season in England.
The 2014 World Cup winner has fallen further down the Arsenal pecking order this season following the £35million arrival of Alexis Sanchez. His absence on the pitch is making it even more difficult for Joachim Low to call the forward for national duties. Low in recent times has made it clear that Podolski needs to spend more time on the pitch if he is to add to his 121 international caps for Germany.
Current situation not good for me: Podolski
After Germany’s 1-0 victory over Spain in an international friendly match on Tuesday, Podolski said: “I have to speak to Wenger because the situation at the moment is not good for me because I have to play.
“So we will see what happens. I am happy at Arsenal and happy in London but the only thing is I don’t play. I don’t get the chance to play. I play always 10 to 15 minutes. I cannot be happy with this.”
“I never say that I am unhappy with the club or with the players or with the city but I want to play,” Podolski said. “I think when I am ready and 100% I could play in the first XI. It is the decision from the coach, it is 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 Arsène Wenger’s decision. He picks the first XI and he picks the tactics.
“When you ask players they say: ‘I want to play up front [or] as a No10,’ but the decision is his. I cannot change the style or tactics of the team.”
Podolski has seen only 46 minutes of action so far this season for Arsenal in the Premier League and was an unused substitute for the Germans in mid-week.
