Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski admits he had no offers during the transfer window to leave Arsenal following speculation about his future at the club. Despite only featuring once this season, as a second half substitute against Leicester City, Podolski is determined to climb back up the pecking order at Arsenal.
Podolski is quoted as saying-
“A move away from Arsenal did not fall through because I had no offers to move'.
“There have been enquiries from other countries, also from Bundesliga clubs, but I am from Cologne and it would have been tough for me to represent any other German club.”
After an extended break following his countries triumph in the World Cup, Podolski has failed to break back into the squad, something Mesut Ozil and Mertesacker did instantly. With the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, the German has been forced to sit on the bench to wait for his chance back in the first team. However, with the injury to Olivier Giroud, many expected Podolski to start as Arsenal's main striker, an idea that Arsene Wenger seems against, opting to start Alexis as the main striker. With the arrival of Danny Welbeck from Manchester United, the attacker's chance of starting as the main striker seems even less so now, despite Wenger stating that he is the best finisher he has ever seen. So why isn't Podolski starting as his main striker? It seems the French coach has lost faith with the former-Bayern man, in terms of him being an out and out striker, and would prefer either Sanogo or Sanchez.
With a man of Podolski's talents strengthening the Arsenal bench, it can only be a good thing for squad depth. However, the German may not want to be a squad player, as he has so much to offer to the team with his finishing abilities. Whether or not he remains at Arsenal is still to be seen, he could leave in January or wait until next summer. If he doesn't get regular playing time and leaves, he will be a massive loss to Arsenal. Both in terms of his talents and personality in the dressing room.