The German international Lukas Podolski probably didn’t take kindly to the statement from his Arsenal manager yesterday when Wenger tried to play down any chance of the 29 year-old leaving the Emirates this month, especially since the Inter manager Roberto Mancini revealed that the Italian Giants were taking an interest.
“They talk,” Wenger said. “There is only talks. Podolski is a player of Arsenal football club and I want him to stay. Apart from that, what it is to be professional is that as long as you are somewhere, you give your best to justify your wages and your love for the club. I hope that he will still be an Arsenal player at the end of January. Inter? That is a joke. Inter is not serious.”
The Mirror followed this up this morning with a sensational story about Podolski, but the German denied categorically that he was trying to force though a move by storming out of training and refusing to play against Southampton.
Podolski revealed: “I try not to comment on stories I see in the papers but when I see something that questions my commitment & love for the club then I must speak up!
“Here ‘The Mirror’ have tried to make a story out of nothing. I find it incredible that newspapers are allowed to print pure lies to get people’s attention.
“In order to ‘storm’ off the pitch you have to actually be on the pitch in the first place, I spent the whole session inside with medical staff. It seems it is ‘The Mirror’ who stormed to the keyboard too quickly.
“Nevertheless I wish ‘The Mirror’ a Happy New Year and more luck with correct headlines in the future. COYG.”
So there we have it from the horses mouth. Obviously this doesn’t mean Podolski will definitely not be leaving, but it certainly removes the idea that he is trying to force Wenger to do a deal…