• Premier League

Wenger insists he gave Podolski due respect

Arsene Wenger says he gave Lukas Podolski his due respect before the forward completed his loan move from Arsenal to Inter Milan.

German World Cup winner Podolski secured a switch to the Serie A side after a frustrating season at Arsenal, having started just two games, and claims his former manager did not even say goodbye to him.

"I deny that completely," said Wenger, when asked about a suggested lack of communication with Podolski. "I had many conversations to go out on loan and without my agreement he could not go.

Lukas Podolski claims Arsene Wenger showed a lack of respect before he moved to Inter Milan © Getty Images

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"He did not get an opportunity to play here so I let him go. We have many players who can play in this position and only 11 can start.

"When a player of his quality doesn't get enough games, he goes. Too much competition is detrimental to players and we had too many players in this area. It is nothing to do with his quality."

Podolski will return to Arsenal at the end of his spell with Inter as the deal is just a loan without an option to buy, though it remains to be seen if the German has a future under Wenger after his recent comments.

Meanwhile, Wenger has confirmed that Podolski's fellow World Cup winner Mesut Ozil is available to make his return in Sunday's Premier League game against Stoke, having been out with a knee ligament injury since October.

"He will have training with the squad for the second time [on Friday], so he will certainly be available for selection on Sunday. Will I start him? I haven't decided yet," said Wenger.

"He is an exceptional football player. He gives you always continuity in your game and he is a very creative player.

"Ideally, you want all your best players available. [Olivier] Giroud, [Laurent] Koscielny, [Mathieu] Debuchy, Ozil. Most of the players in the league have 26-27 games in their legs and they have four or five. If we get them fit and ready, it will give us a new impulse."

Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini are also fit after recovering from injuries, while Olivier Giroud is back from suspension, though Danny Welbeck will not return to action until next week.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd