Loew warns Podolski to consider future at ‘no fun’ Arsenal

BERLIN: Joachim Loew believes striker Lukas Podolski, who has complained of the fun being squeezed out of him at Arsenal, may need to quit the London giants if he is to keep his place in the Germany squad.

Podolski has made just eight appearances for Arsenal this season, only one of which was over 90 minutes.

Loew gave Podolski a rare start in Germany’s 4-0 win over minnows Gibraltar in Friday’s Euro 2 016 qua li f ier, but he failed to shine in a poor team performance.

After scoring 47 goals in 121 i nter nat iona l appearances, only national legends Miroslav K lose and Lothar Matthaeus have played more matches for Germany.

But Germany coach Loew has suggested his two-year stint in north London may need to come to an end if 29-year-old Podolski is to keep his place after more than a decade in the Germany squad.

“I know it’s difficult for him at the moment to play at full pace for 90 minutes, that’s just the way it is,” said Loew, with Germany to play Spain away in a friendly on Tuesday.

“Lukas needs lots of matches to show his qua l it ies, which he hasn’t had for the last si x months.

“He didn’t play much at the World Cup or after that, which you can see in his game.

“So I can’t really blame him for t hat, but we, just l i ke he does, need to consider what the coming year holds for him.”

Podolski, who has an Arsenal cont ract u nt i l 2 016, has sa id he will seek talks with coach Arsene Wenger before the January transfer window opens.

“The fun of the game is being taken out of me at A rsenal,” he said. “I’m a true-blood footballer and want to play.

“And when I have to pull on a stadium jacket and tracksuit bottoms in the Premier League, it puts a strain on the nerves.

“I need to talk to the coach and the club, because it can’t go on, I am totally dissatisfied.

“Now, I have even noticed that I’m missing something if I’m not playing regularly.”

The former Bayern Munich and Cologne striker did not rule out a return to the Bundesliga, but said he has options.

“There are some of fers, I know I still have the potential to play at a good club and I still have a few more years in me,” he added. - AFP