• Premier League

Wenger accused of lack of respect by Podolski

Lukas Podolski has accused Arsene Wenger of a lack of respect, claiming the Arsenal manager did not say goodbye to him when he left for Inter Milan on loan.

The forward was officially unveiled at the Serie A club on Thursday and immediately hit out at his former manager after two and a half years at the Emirates Stadium.

"He said nothing to me. He did not call me or say goodbye," Podolski told The Sun.

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"I don't need flowers or a kiss from him. But it is about respect, about saying goodbye. For me respect is important.

"I did everything for the club I possibly could have. I don't believe I did anything wrong. I did not get drunk in a club.

"I wish all of Arsenal and their amazing fans the very best for this season and I see myself as a Gunner. Nothing from him to me, though, but that is his way."

Podolski, Germany's third-most capped player with 121 appearances, scored 31 goals in 82 games for Arsenal after signing for £11 million from Cologne.

Lukas Podolski was offficially unveiled by Inter Milan on Thursday © Getty Images

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However, he made just two starts this season, neither in the Premier League, and feels he deserved more playing time.

"I don't want communication every day as I am a professional. You do it on the training ground," said Podolski, who made his Inter debut on Tuesday as Roberto Mancini's side drew 1-1 at Serie A leaders Juventus.

"But when you move somewhere, you get a message. Maybe he had other problems with me but I don't know.

"He told me he did not want me to go just before the transfer window but never said anything else after that. I had to move forward. I could not wait for 25 injuries.

"It is not a problem to sit on the bench. Absolutely not. When you have three games in a week and you don't play, you have to think about it, though.

"Maybe I made mistakes, I don't know. I trained well and wanted to play."

Podolski's last appearance for Arsenal came at Galatasaray last month in the Champions League when he scored twice in a 4-1 win.

Despite his efforts, Podolski found himself back on the bench for the visit of Newcastle in the Premier League four days later.

He admits that was the moment he knew he had to leave to the club.

Lukas Podolski found himself marooned on the Arsenal bench this season © Getty Images

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"If I had been given a run of five or 10 games and played really s***, then I could say 'fair enough, I am not good enough'," he added.

"I don't say I should have played every game. When you have three games in a week and sit all of them on the bench, this is not fair.

"I was happy at the club. I played 82 games and scored 31 goals plus assists. That's not bad. But when you don't get a chance you cannot show what you can do - and the last five months I hardly played.

"Wenger said to me I was the best finisher at the club. Let me play, then. If you always play 10 or 15 minutes, you can show nothing. I was coming on at either 0-0 or 2-0 or 3-0 down.

"My team-mates were asking me what was going on, but this is the life of a footballer.

"The big moment was after the Champions League game. I played a very good game against Galatasaray and then I was on the bench again. I knew I had to move."

Lukas Podolski scored twice in the 4-1 win at Galatasaray on his last appearance for Arsenal © Getty Images

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