Arsene Wenger Still Has Faith In Me - Lukas Podolski

Lukas Podolski is adamant that Arsene Wenger has faith in him despite reports linking him with a move away from Arsenal. Podolski was a target for the likes of Juventus as well as Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen in his native Germany, after Wenger sanctioned the sale of the forward, but no deal materialised and he subsequently remained at the Emirates following the close of the transfer window.

Olivier Giroud's fractured tibia – which will sideline him for around four months – may mean Podolski, still searching for full fitness after Germany's World Cup win, sees more game time at Arsenal, despite their deadline-day signing of Danny Welbeck.

WORLD CUP: Lukas Podolski Dedicates Win To Micheal Schumacher

Germany forward Lukas Podolski dedicated his side’s 4-0 win over Portugal to countryman Michael Schumacher. On Monday, the retired seven-time Formula One champion awoke from a six-month coma following a serious head injury sustained in a skiing accident last December, and was subsequently discharged from a Grenoble hospital.

And according to The Guardian, Podolski revealed that the news of his friend’s improvement and release immediately lifted the mood of the Germany camp.

"[Schumacher] is a good friend of mine and it is important to all of us to hear the news that he’s come out of hospital. He’s doing well and he’s getting better and it’s really good news," enthused the Arsenal forward.