Lukas Podolski Talks About Life At Arsenal
Just a few months into his debut Premier League season, Lukas Podolski is quickly making a name for himself in England. Arsenal's no.9 has already demonstrated his skills in front of goal for the Gunners and as he explains, it's been a successful transition so far with Arsenal's season hopes remaining high.
Arsenal have started the season reasonably well, how do you feel? And also, as a newcomer, how do you feel you have settled into the team?
Podolski: The start has been quite good. Last year, when I was not at the club, the start was not so successful - we accumulated the points later on in the season. Now to be near the frontrunners from the start, I think we can be satisfied but it is a long season.
What was the main reason you moved to the Gunners, was Per Mertesacker a big influence?
Podolski: No, you should not make a move dependent on individual people, you get information from Per and from the manager, you ask different people, but I was very taken by the discussions with Arsenal and the manager, it is a global club, a very big club, and therefore it was clear to me that if I move, then to a top club, I thus opted for Arsenal and I haven t regretted it at all in the first few weeks.
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How does it feel to play in the Premier League, compared to the Bundesliga? Podolski: I think the Bundesliga can hold its own, but you realised in my first game that the level is a different one. Like Germany, the stadiums are always full in England and there are many new stadiums. I would say that overall the level appears to be a bit better and I am delighted that I took this step and that I can play at this level. Podolski: <>Very good, I do not live in central London, but near to the city. I have been out and about in the city a few times and I ve already seen many beautiful sights. When you have so many games and training sessions you are on the road a lot, but I feel at home, my family feels at home, and ultimately, that is the most important thing. |
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What are your main goals for the season?
Podolski: First of all, to be in the top four with Arsenal so that we qualify directly for the Champions League. That is our most important goal. The other goal is of course to fight for the Premiership title. You won t have any idea of the front runners until after 15, 20 games, and obviously if you play for Arsenal, in the Premier League, there is only one goal, to be among the frontrunners for the title and that is what we are fighting for.
How far can Arsenal get this year in the Champions League?
Podolski: The goal is always to get as far as possible when you play for a top club. We have only played a couple of games, and there is still room for improvement. It s important to get off to a good start and get out of the group. Then when the knock out phase starts, you have two games where it will be about all or nothing, you have to be fitter, faster, and maybe have a bit of luck to progress further. I hope that we will get very far this season.
What s your feeling, what is more important to you, Champions League or Premier League?
Podolski: It doesn t matter to us what importance each competition has. I am pleased to be playing in the Champions League, in the Premier League, for Arsenal, and for at least another four years at a high level. And yes, I am pleased about that, and I ll take everything else as it comes.
The national team has developed very positively over the last few years. How do you see Germany s chances for the 2014 World Cup?
Podolski : We ve had a strong team going into the last two tournaments and we want to achieve the goal of winning the World Cup but there are also another 2 years until then. We still have a few qualifiers to go and a lot could happen, but my feeling is Germany will be ready to play for the title in 2014.
