Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER
Podolski: He was like a grandpa to all of us.. he never shouted but spoke in a language we could all understand
LUKAS PODOLSKI has reflected on his Arsenal years and claimed legendary boss Arsene Wenger was “like a grandpa.”
The German striker spent two and a half seasons at the Emirates, before moving to Galatasaray.
He had his battles with Wenger especially in his third season when he was regularly on the bench and rarely started games.
Podolski joined the Gunners in summer 2012 and had a blistering first season, scoring 16 goals and making 11.
In the next campaign he played a part in their FA Cup win in May 2014, before winning the World Cup with Germany that summer.
Podolski said of Wenger’s influence: “He was a great manager and I really like him as a person, too. He was like a grandpa: a very intelligent man, who was nice to talk to.
“He could speak lots of languages and never yelled. He was Arsenal: he created everything. Arsene created a style of playing.
“Arsene was the man who oversaw the club’s move to the Emirates Stadium from Highbury and won so many trophies during his 22 years.
“I’d be fascinated to see how he would have done in charge of another team.”
But asked why he was moved on, the Antalyaspor forward said: “I didn’t get enough game-time.
“I felt I performed well and didn’t get the minutes I deserved.
“On the other hand, if you look at my stats, I played in about 80 matches and was directly involved in a lot of goals by scoring or assisting.
“My relationship with the fans and players was positive. We won the FA Cup in 2014, which was the club’s first trophy for nine years. And I liked living in London, in Hampstead. My family enjoyed it, too.” Podolski was signed by Wenger for £15million from Cologne and he told Fourfourtwo: “I was on the phone with the manager – we spoke half in English and half in German; he started the conversation in
German.
“I was thinking of staying at
Cologne with friends and family, but they told me to leave and play for a great manager at a great club, so I decided to move.
“And I helped my club in doing so, because they got £15m for me – a lot of money back then, especially as they’d just been relegated.”
Podolski admitted a low point at Arsenal was the defeat to Bradford in the 2012 League Cup quarterfinal. He added: “We lost on penalties!
“These results happen in football. To be honest, these results are why we love football.”