• Premier League

Podolski: I'm perfect for Arsenal but Welbeck will play

Lukas Podolski says he is perfectly-suited for Arsenal but fears Danny Welbeck will be a shoo-in to start because Arsene Wenger may not fully trust him to lead the line.

Arsenal signed Welbeck from Manchester United for £16 million on transfer deadline day after Olivier Giroud suffered a foot injury that is set to keep him out until the new year.

Lukas Podolski said he had no thoughts about leaving Arsenal after a talk with Arsene Wenger © Getty Images

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However, Podolski is confident he can eventually nail down a starting spot in Wenger's side.

"Initially, it's a difficult situation for me. When you buy new players for a lot of money they have an advantage because they will play," Podolski said.

"But we've got a long season ahead of us, and we'll see what happens. When I am in top shape, I am a perfect fit for the Arsenal team. And I see myself in the first XI then, that's what I work towards."

Podolski did, however, concede that he is not currently too sure whether he has the full trust of Wenger.

"I am not sure, I hope that that's the case," he said.

The forward is targeting the Premier League title come the end of the season, although he feels Arsenal need to learn from last season's mistakes.

"The title is not a dream, it's possible. But there are five or six other teams with similar thoughts. It will be down to the details in the end," Podolski said.

"We only won six points in the matches against the other top five clubs . Those were the points that cost us the title. We were in front for half a year, but dropped decisive points against Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool towards the end. We need to change that this year."

Podolski, 29, was rumoured to be on his way out of the club during the summer, with Juventus, Galatasaray and Wolfsburg all credited with an interest in the striker.

However, while he has confirmed that a number of clubs made a move for him in recent weeks, Podolski revealed that a transfer was never an option after speaking with Wenger.

"There were some enquiries from abroad, and also from the Bundesliga. But as a Cologne guy, it would have been difficult to play for another club in Germany," he said. "To go to Russia - Walachia [a German expression for the middle of nowhere] - or the United States was in no way an alternative for me.

"I had a chat with Arsene Wenger, during which he told me that he is banking on my firepower and assists, and wants to keep me. That's why the issue of a transfer was rather secondary to me. I feel great in London and at Arsenal, and it continues to stay like that."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd