Lukas Podolski: Arsenal supporters yet to see the ‘real’ me

Lucas Podolski has promised Arsenal supporters he will be back to his best in time for the start of the Premier League campaign.

The 27-year-old, who joined the Gunners from Cologne this summer, was a member of Joachim Löw’s Germany squad that reached the Euro 2012 semi-finals before being eliminated by Italy.

Podolski recently started pre-season training at his new club, and the former Bayern Munich striker insisted he is working hard to be in top shape for the Gunners’ opening league game against Sunderland.

“I am now two weeks into training and it is not easy when you come back to your club after a European championship or World Cup,” Podolski told Arsenal’s website.

“I need some more weeks and then you will see the real Podolski.

“It has been very good so far. This is a big club with a great coach and I am very proud to be an Arsenal player. I am looking forward to the first match of the season against Sunderland.”

Podolski had two spells at Cologne before joining Arsenal on a free transfer this summer, but the Germany international is looking forward to returning to his former club for a friendly on Sunday.

“I’m back home, in my city, and looking forward to the match,” he added. “This is my first match for Arsenal and I am very happy.

“I hope I can score against Cologne, it is not easy but we want to win the match and then look ahead to the game against Sunderland.

“I started my career in Cologne when I was 10 and then I was in the first team when I was 17 or 18 years old. It was a great time; they have great fans, a great stadium and it is a great club.

“Now they are in the second division, so it is not easy but I hope they will go back up to the first division.”

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