Lukas Podolski: I can’t wait to play for Arsène Wenger at Arsenal

Lukas Podolski says the chance to play under Arsène Wenger was a key factor in his decision to move to The Emirates

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By TSR staff Thursday 21 June 2012, 14:08 UK

Arsene Wenger's latest signing, Lukas Podolski, will join Arsenal after Euro 2012PA Photos

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Lukas Podolski has admitted the chance to play under Arsène Wenger was a key motivation behind his decision to quit Cologne and join Arsenal this summer.

The 27-year-old will join the Gunners after the European championship after the forward scored 18 goals in 29 games in the Bundesliga last season.

Podolski marked his 100th cap for Germany with the opening goal in a 2-1 victory over Denmark in their final Group B game to set up a quarter-final tie against Greece on Friday.

“He [Wenger] has been a very successful coach both in Europe and around the world,” Podolski told the Official Arsenal Magazine. “This definitely helped in making my decision.

“He speaks several languages, and German in particular, which is very helpful. We have spoken to each other on the telephone a few times, which was very good and also made my decision even easier.

“I speak to Per whenever we meet. Per has mentioned things about the club’s organisation, the training ground and the fans, and this has really helped.

“It might have influenced me to a certain extent, but in the end of course I took the decision to come here myself.”

The former Bayern Munich striker admitted the chance to play in the Premier League was another key factor in his transfer, and Podolski is confident he can adapt to the English style of fooball.

“I do think that the Bundesliga has done a lot of catching up in recent years and is no longer that far away from the highest level,” he added. “But England still has the strongest and most attractive league in my opinion.

“The Premier League has very good stadiums, and the stronger clubs as a whole, and I’m sure I’m going to be involved in some exciting matches.

“I think I will adapt relatively quickly. I’m a player who plays in a similar style. They play fast in England, score lots of goals, there are tough battles.

“I enjoy this style of football, so from that point of view, I think I will become accustomed to it all in a fairly short time.”