• Premier League

Mertesacker sure Podolski will shine

ESPN staff
May 9, 2012
Per Mertesacker has played with Lukas Podolski plenty of times at international level © Getty Images
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Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker believes that new Gunners signing Lukas Podolski has the confidence needed to adapt to life in the Premier League.

Mertesacker and Podolski have played together for Germany on numerous occasions, and possess a combined 174 international appearances.

Both are expected to play a part in Euro 2012 - although Mertesacker has missed Arsenal's recent action due to injury - and afterwards, they will link up at club level when Podolski makes the move from current club Cologne.

And Mertesacker is in no doubt that Podolski will prove a hit at the Emirates Stadium. "He is very confident," Mertesacker told Arsenal Player.

"When he feels he has to be there for the team and when we needed a goal he was always there. He was always one of the best players on the pitch and nothing could take him down. He is so confident and that is what I like.

"He is a fantastic striker. Everywhere he has played he has scored a lot of goals. He is very good on his first [touch] when he has the ball in front of him, that is a big quality and very good for us.

"I think he has good physical power and that is what is needed in the Premier League. He is very quick too. It is a challenge for him but he can cope with it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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