• Premier League

Podolski ignores talk of title tilt

ESPN staff
September 20, 2012
Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski says it is a case of one game at a time © PA Photos
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Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski believes it is 'too early' to predict the Gunners will be Premier League title contenders this season.

Podolski was among the goals once again as Arsenal recorded a fine 2-1 away win against French champions Montpellier in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and another win against reigning Premier League title holders Manchester City on Sunday would raise hopes that they can challenge.

However, the German is wary of tipping Arsenal for glory in a season when they are looking to overcome the disappointment of losing star striker Robin van Persie to Manchester United, with Podolski keen to maintain a calm perspective.

"We have only played four matches and it's too early to speak about the championship," he told Arsenal's official website. "When you win a match, you are not a champion. When you lose a match, you are not a champion.

"We want to win all the matches we play and I think if we play the same as we did against Liverpool and Southampton, then we have a chance to get the three points at Man City. We have had some strong matches, but Man City played in Madrid and now against us, so it's a tough week."

Mikel Arteta has echoed Podolski's caution, as he believes beating Manchester City at their Eastlands fortress will be a mammoth task.

"City have not lost at home for a long time, so this is big test and we must show our character," he added. "We went there and were unlucky to lose there last year, but it will be tough this time because they are champions now."

It was Arteta who scored the winning goal that looked set to put a massive hole in City's title hopes last season, with his winner in Arsenal's 1-0 win against Roberto Mancini's men last April apparently extinguishing their hopes of lifting the Premier League crown.

A little over month later, Mancini's men were toasting their famous triumph, but they face a stern test of their credentials as they take on a resurgent Gunners days after their heartbreaking defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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