WENGER’S PRAISE BE TO POD! Ars backs striker to fire for Gunners

ARSENE WENGER has hailed Lukas Podolski “an important part of our future” after Arsenal confirmed the signing of the German striker.

The deal was finally out in the open on Monday as the Gunners and Cologne announced Podolski was moving to the Emirates after Euro 2012.

As well as being a shrewd signing on its own merits, Podolski’s arrival could have arguably the more important knock-on effect of convincing Robin van Persie to commit his future to Arsenal this summer.

Manager Wenger, who admitted on Saturday that the Gunners had been too reliant on Van Persie this season, said: “We are delighted to secure the deal for Lukas Podolski and see him as an important part of our future.

“He is a top-class player, a very good finisher and a proven performer at club and international level.

“He’s a very strong player and he will provide us with good attacking options. We are happy to have made this signing early and we are looking forward to watching Lukas contribute at the Euro Championships over the summer, a level where he has already won 95 caps at the age of 26 – a phenomenal record that just shows his quality as a player.”

Despite being feted as a world-class talent thanks both to his exploits on the international stage and for his hometown club, Podolski will have a point to prove after flopping at Bayern Munich.

Quality

But he had no qualms about testing himself at another of Europe’s giants, saying: “I’m so happy to be joining Arsenal and to play in the Premier League.

“Arsenal is one of the top clubs in Europe, with a huge history.

“There are many topquality players at Arsenal and the style of football which the team plays is fantastic. I am proud to become an Arsenal player and am looking forward to playing my first match at the Emirates Stadium and doing my best for all the Arsenal fans.”

Arsenal and Cologne waited until this week to announce the deal to avoid impacting on the latter’s relegation battle.

Podolski, who started his career at Cologne before rejoining them from Bayern in 2009, told their official website: “I have made this decision not against Cologne but for this great opportunity and the good of my own development.

“This was not an easy decision for me at all as Cologne, our fans and the city are something special for me.

“I will always carry Cologne in my heart.

“We need to pool our strengths now and have to be focused on our survival in the Bundesliga.”