Layth Yousif
Former Arsenal striker Lukas Poldolski has been reflecting on his time at the club insisting he never wanted to leave.
The forward started his career at Cologne’s before shining for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich prior to signing for Arsenal, where he became a favourite with supporters.
The German became renowned for a powerful left-foot, scoring many spectacular goals – but never fully established himself at the Emirates under Arsene Wenger.
Speaking to Arsenal’s lockdown podcast Podolski explained: “I had some games I played very well, I scored goals or played well and the next match I was sitting on the bench again. That's why I started thinking, 'I'm going to have to change this situation.' I was thinking I was ready for Arsenal, I was thinking I was ready for the starting XI or to come on earlier but it was not like that.
"For any reason it sometimes happens like that in football or sport and that's why I decided to move. This is life, this is sport, I didn't want to but I had to because I wanted to play football. I wanted to be on the pitch but I would have loved to stay at Arsenal for a couple more years because I felt really great there.
"I had some talks with Arsene about my situation and I told him, 'I want to play, I want to come on earlier' and of course, he's the coach, he has to decide, he can't promise players a bonus or to always play. No coach gives you that. So I decided for myself to move forward."
Prior to the coronavirus pandemic halting life across the globe including sport the popular German had been playing in Turkey with Antalyaspor having joined on a free transfer in January from Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
But his time in north London left a deep impression on him as he recalled: "The team, the stuff around the team and everyone at the club was so friendly - like a family. Great fans, great city, the stadium – everything. I really enjoyed it but in the end it is like it is.”
