Lukas Podolski today answered questions about his move to The Arsenal

Lukas Podolski started by reading a small statement,

“The decision has been made, and I want to stress it again, not against FC Köln but in favour of Arsenal FC. I always knew that I’d either continue my career at Köln for a further couple of years or I’d go to another top club. I had a couple of different offers but they did not really matter to me. As soon as the offer of Arsenal arrived I started to think about my career in football and eventually came to the conclusion that this would be the right path for me.”

Question 1 – Lukas do you choose Arsenal?

“They wear the same colours as Köln (laughs). No, jokes aside. As I've said before, I had other interesting offers but for me, it had to be a top club and when you look at Arsenal, with a fantastic manager, good environment and there has never been bad press surrounding the club; they are playing attractive football and have a great stadium with great fans. Although I’ve never been there and haven’t looked at anything I think the club is a very good fit for me. Otherwise I would not have made the decision.”

Question 2 – Have you met with Arsene Wenger?

“We just spoke on the telephone once and I have not met him yet, that will certainly happen after the Euros. Also, I haven’t seen the stadium or the training facilities yet as the focus has been completely on Köln so far.”

Question 3 – Have you seen Per Mertesacker's video message to you?

“I am happy to play with someone whom I’ve know for a long time, who speaks German and with whom I get along very well. Therefore I believe he’ll make it easy for me to settle down.”

Question 4 – Have you spoken to Per Mertesacker about your move?

“Yes, I asked him a couple of question about the club, the environment etc.. But at the end of the day, you have to make the decision on your own. You might get some advice, for sure. But he hasn’t helped with the final decision.”

Question 5 – How will this move be different from your time in Munich?

“In Munich, I maybe was a tad too young. Now, I’m more experienced and have become even better and I’m confident about this move and certain that I will make it there.”

Question 6 – How will you cope with a new language?

“Whenever you go to a new country, the language is a part of that – but I believe football is international. I think my English is good enough and will make it easier for me to fit in.”

Question 7 – How long is your contract with time after Arsenal, can you tell us more about the agreement?

“I don’t want to discuss any details on my contract. Regarding my future after London, sure, I could imagine coming back and as I’ve said before, the FC (Köln) will always be my club no matter what. I believe it’s important that the club carries on and moves forward when I’m gone. It’s vital for me that they don’t say 'now that Podolski is gone everything is falling apart'. But it’s rather a chance to rebuild, with new chairmen, to move forward and be successful again, something that was promised to me when I arrived. That has to be the aim.”

Question 8 – Want are your hopes and dreams with Arsenal?

“Undoubtedly, the Arsenal FC is a big name in football, you just have to look back and look at their success. Again, they have an awesome manager, and a great stadium – I’m looking forward to that. The goal has to be to win titles over the next years. That’s a given when you go to a big club. The English league is very good and competitive and every year six or seven clubs are challenging. Hence it’s a chance and a great motivation to make another step forward."

Now it’s just time for us fan to start singing “Lu Lu Lu  - Lukas Podolski...

Arsenal Football Club - Nigeria Tour - Summer 2012

Arsenal will play 4 pre season friendly matches in Nigeria 

The Arsenal first team will take part in 2 matches with The Arsenal Reserves talking part in another 2 matches.

The proposed Arsenal Tour venues are TBC in Abuja, Lagos, Ilorin and Akwa Ibom 

Arsenal's Tour ambassador for this tour is Arsenal and Nigerian Legend Kanu who will be making personal appearances during the 7 day tour.       

RVP “Adebayor leaving has made me the player I am today! Playing up higher means I can surprise opponents!” Santos “I’m working hard to keep RVP here!” Santos “Pele compares me to Roberto Carlos!” AW wants Giroud & M’Vila signed before Euros!” The Ox “playing well at Arsenal will give me a chance for England!” Martinez talks!

• Robin van Persie has revealed that being less involved in Arsenal’s build-up has allowed him to get free and score so many goals this season.

The Dutchman has netted 33 goals in all competitions for the Gunners so far this term and admits it is because he can surprise his opponents by making a late run into a scoring position rather than be sidetracked with trying to set things up for his side.

"To be fair I like [being involved less] though because sometimes you can just surprise an opponent by doing that, having a breather and then, bang, you are off again,” he said.

“It is a different game in lots of ways, that is just one of the reasons.

"You are, of course, closer to the opponent's goal, which is handy because otherwise you have to cover all that distance. Even if you are not playing well as a main striker, just that one, short moment in behind means you can still score."

• Andre Santos is working on Robin van Persie about staying at Arsenal.

The Brazilian's locker is next to the Gunners captain.

"I really hope Van Persie stays. He's a great player and one of my best friends at the club. He has the peg next to me in the dressing room," he said.

"He's one of the best strikers I've played with, though I also played with Ronaldo at Corinthians."

• Arsenal fullback Andre Santos admits he was honoured to be compared with Roberto Carlos as he was making his way in the game.

Santos was likened to the Real Madrid legend by none other than Pele while breaking through in Brazil.

"It's an honour when I am compared to Roberto Carlos," said Santos.

"I was always a fan. I played with him for three months at Fenerbahce and he's a great friend, who's always ringing and texting me. In Turkey, he played at left-back and I played in front of him - I scored 13 goals that season. We are similar players but it worked playing in the same team.

"I'm a left-back, though, that's my position. I wasn't as happy as a winger. I like to receive the ball and see the whole pitch in front of me. Although I've always been a goal scorer, even as a left-back."

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants to close an early deal for Montpellier striker Olivier Giroud.

The France international is a top target for Wenger and has expressed an ambition to join the Gunners this summer.

Wenger wants to snap up Giroud before Euro 2012 to avoid a late summer auction for the prolific forward.

• Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will have to break the club's transfer record to land Rennes midfielder Yann M'Vila.

Rennes want £17 million for a player who has already being hailed in France, where he is an established international, as the next Claude Makelele.

Arsenal’s club record signing is still Andrei Arshavin at £15 million but, with Wenger having made holding midfield one of his transfer priorities this summer, it is thought that he would be prepared to surpass that for M’Vila.

• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is keen to be part of England's European Championship squad but is not getting carried away over the possibility.

The clamour for Arsenal winger Oxlade-Chamberlain to be a wildcard pick for this summer's finals has grown since the start of the year, with the 18-year-old having earned rave reviews for his performances in the Premier League and Champions League.

Oxlade-Chamberlain said: "It would be very nice but I don't get too far ahead of myself or get carried away."

• Arsenal goalkeeper Damian Martinez says he is ready to go out on loan to help further his development.

The 19-year old gloveman has impressed in the reserves this season but feels he could learn more in a first team environment just like number one Wojciech Szczesny did whilst at Brentford in 2009.

“I have been training all my life and I am ready to play,” Martinez said.

“I am still looking forward to being on the bench for a few more games, trying to do my best in the reserves and then be ready for the first team. These are my ambitions for the next two months.

“[Szczesny] said he wasn't ready for the first team yet so he went out on loan and learned so much there.

“Then he came back to Arsenal and played in the first team as he was ready. Next season a loan spell could be an option for me.”

Chamakh "I will stay at Arsenal. I want to improve as a player and I think I can here!"

Chamakh "Am I going back to Bordeaux? For now, no. I have spoken to Wenger and I will stay at #Arsenal. I think he trusts my work and I will have opportunities in the first team.

"I left Bordeaux to improve as a player and I think I can continue for this club. My agents have been ordered to reject bids that come from other clubs because I want to prove I can be useful for the Gunners."

Arsene furious with Chamakh out partying & smoking Shisha pipe after QPR defeat! Robin Van Persie “We’ve 7 more games to play & I believe we can come 3rd. It won’t be easy, everyone is fighting for every point, & our opportunity is next week against Man City!” Theo “Ryo will be much better for Bolton experiences!” M'Vila issues a come and get me plea to Arsenal! Banfield talks!

• Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh is facing showdown talks with a furious manager Arsene Wenger.

Wenger is furious with Chamakh after the striker was pictured holding a shisha pipe hours after Arsenal's defeat at QPR.

The Morocco forward was snapped with fellow countryman Adel Taarabt, who had earlier scored against the Gunners, with pipes on Saturday.

Smoking shisha is not illegal in the UK; nevertheless Wenger is angry with the behaviour of his striker given his side - minus the out-of-favour Chamakh - had slumped to a surprise 2-1 defeat.

• Arsenal ace Robin van Persie says the top four battle will bring out the best in the players.

Van Persie claims having to face Manchester City next Sunday and with Chelsea also to come to the Emirates will bring out the best in Arsenal.

Van Persie said: “We have seven more games to play and I believe we can come third. It won’t be easy, everyone is fighting for every point and our opportunity is next week against Man City. We have to go for it and believe and we will.

“It is a shame we have to wait eight days for the game against Manchester City but it is how it is. It is a big blow but we have to look forward and the next one is a big one.

“Even last week when we were three points ahead (of Spurs) with eight games we never thought it was done. Chelsea won and came closer but we have to look at ourselves.

“Everyone is disappointed but towards the end of the week I am sure the spirit will be how it was. We’ll have a couple of days to be disappointed but after that our focus is on Manchester City.

“They are second but drew against Sunderland so they will need the points. We have seven big games to play but if you look at the big name teams then we have City and Chelsea. As a fan of football I always like to play those games and one of them is next week.”

• Arsenal’s Theo Walcott believes Ryo Miyaichi will benefit greatly from his loan spell with Bolton.

The 19-year old Japanese winger has already made nine appearances for the Trotters in both the Premier League and the FA Cup and has impressed with some dazzling displays which have netted him one goal and two assists.

Walcott admits Ryo may have been negatively affected by the recent incident involving Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba who suffered cardiac arrest a few weeks ago but suggests the short-term deal at the Reebok Stadium will only make him a better player.

“Ryo has done very well at Bolton,” the in-form Walcott said.

“It is hard for such a young kid to go there and do what he is doing, showing no fear with everything that happened at Tottenham [with Muamba]. It is hard and it has probably hit him definitely.

“He will be a better person for it, a better player and I can see him coming back here next year and playing a lot more regularly.

“The way he is playing, there are full backs out there now who are thinking, 'I don't want to play against him this week'.”

• RENNES midfielder Yann M'Vila has issued a come and get me plea to Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

The talented 21-year-old will snub big money moves to Inter Milan and Real Madrid to join Wenger at Arsenal.

The £35m-rated midfielder believes Wenger would be the man to help him achieve international stardom.

He said: "If the coach calls you and tells you he wants you to make you play, especially a French coach, it changes everything.

"The important thing for me is getting playing time for the France team."

M'Vila has three years remaining on his Rennes contract but manager Frederic Antonetti has already admitted the player was likely to leave this summer.

"Yann M'Vila won't be a Rennes player next season," he said.

M'Vila could join Lukas Podolski at Arsenal, with the striker understood to have agreed the formalities of an £11million move from Cologne.

• Arsenal reserves coach Neil Banfield was delighted with Conor Henderson's return last week.

Henderson returned to action last week in a friendly against Reading after eight months out with a knee injury.

"Conor came on for Abou Diaby and it was nice to see him playing again," Banfield said. "It is always hard after a cruciate injury but he did fine.

"He will have more involvement over the next few weeks and is working towards getting ready for the Newcastle game [on April 10].

"Conor has been a prospect for some years, but he has been hindered by these injuries. It is tough to take at the time, but he will have come through it stronger and hopefully he will have an injury-free career now."

• Esperance Tunis midfielder Youssef Msakni says he does not know much about proposed interest from Arsenal.

The 21-year old, who has confirmed interest from French giants Paris Saint-Germain and Lille, suggests that any links between he and 

the Gunners are merely speculation.

"The club president here told me that PSG have shown an interest," he said.

"He has not told me if there is an offer or how much the club want for me, so I am trying to stay calm.

"I have also heard that Lille are keen, but again there is nothing concrete.

"To go to Arsenal would be fantastic, but I have only read about that in the newspapers."

Lifelong Gooner Jenkinson is proud of his Arsenal DNA “Yennaris is the same!” Henry "The thing with Arsenal is you never really that club. The stadium & the players have changed, but it is a family club! Alex Chamberlain is really good!” Wilshere could be back for the final 5 games of the season! Rosicky “I love it here!”

• Arsenal fullback Carl Jenkinson is proud of his club merchandise.

Supporters saw evidence of this in a photo posted on Twitter recently, and Jenkinson said how it all began.

“I think I asked for all the wallpaper one Christmas and then was given more things for birthdays, and the collection gradually built up,” he said.

“A lot of the pictures on the wall are laminated copies of signed pictures and I used to collect them, picking them up whenever I went to a game. So I picked up little things here and there; it took a few years but it’s definitely an Arsenal room now.”

The right back isn’t alone in being a diehard fan since childhood. Nico Yennaris has a similar treasure trove of material at home, and Carl is quite happy to compare notes.

“I know Nico Yennaris has a similar stash of things,” he laughs. “It’s quite refreshing to have another lad at the Club who has felt the same way as me about it for so long."

• Thierry Henry says that players who spend time at Arsenal never really leave the club.

The veteran striker recently had his second spell at the club where he holds the all-time goal scoring record and has not closed the door on a potential third stint in 2013.

But regardless of that, Henry feels that it is difficult to really leave Arsenal as the club becomes so engrained in your life.

"Will I come again in 2013? It happened that way in 2012, but it was not forecasted. I was a help and that was all," he said.

"The thing with Arsenal is you never really leave that club. The stadium and the players have changed, but it is a family club.

"I am not alone. It is the same with other former players. It is the impact of the club."

• Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is of the belief that young gun Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will have a stellar career.

The French striker spent six weeks back in North London on loan from New York Red Bulls and has seen firsthand what the 18-year old winger is capable of.

"Alex Chamberlain is really good,” Henry said.

"He reminds me of himself and no-one else. He is writing his own story.

"I hope he will remain at Arsenal for a long time and he could forge a career we will never forget."

• Arsenal have announced a Hong Kong leg as part of their Far East tour this summer.

The Gunners will take on champions Kitchee FC at the Hong Kong Stadium on Sunday, July 29.

The squad will travel to Hong Kong from China, where they will be play Manchester City in Beijing two days earlier.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis said: "It's great that Arsenal Football Club is visiting Hong Kong again after 17 years.

"We have many followers in Hong Kong and it's wonderful that these special fans will have an opportunity to see the first team live in action.

"The match will follow on from our visit to Beijing, where we play Manchester City in the Bird's Nest, and is another indication of Arsenal's commitment to Asia.

• Tomas Rosicky insists his great form has nothing to do with a new Arsenal contract.

Rosicky denied his recent purple patch was anything to do with his contract saga.

He said: "I want to say that what was sometimes written, that I have played better because I'm fighting for a contract, had nothing to do with it.

"Although it is now signed, it was just a matter of preparing the paperwork.

"I had given my word to the coach that I would stay much earlier.

• Arsenal crock Jack Wilshere could be back for the final five games of the season.

Arsenal’s medical team have been working around the clock with Wilshere on the ankle injury that has kept him out for the entire season and the 20-year-old is now confident he is closing in on a return.

Barring any more setbacks, Wilshere is hoping to play in at least five games before the end of the season to prove his fitness for England.

• Tomas Rosicky admits he rejected a mega offer from Russia to sign a new deal with Arsenal.

He signed a new contract with the Gunners on Monday.

He said: "In both cases, it was financially huge numbers, so that somehow you had to entertain it - it's not easy. Some days I thought about it, but money is not everything.

"I'm glad I'll be able to continue at Arsenal."

He added: "Arsenal let me get to the point where I had just half a year on my contract and could talk to anyone I wanted.

"It started to get interesting because I had very lucrative offers. This turned my head a little, but I have to say that Arsenal were my priority."

Ref Skomina "Wenger's complaints say a lot about him, Arsenal’s game was to disrupt Milan’s game, it almost worked!” Rosicky "I’m proud of my team-mates because what we produced was great football, but it's sad because blew it in Milan! The fans we’re amazing!” Vermaelen "If we can play like that, there’s is no way that we will not be in the top 4!" Podolski "Money is not the most important thing for me; I want to develop my game!"

• Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky feels they can be proud of their performance against AC Milan.

Rosicky took heart from a rousing performance in front of a noisy Emirates crowd.

"I am proud of my team-mates because what we produced today was great football, but it's sad because obviously we are out of the competition," Rosicky said. "We can go out with our heads held high but we blew it in Milan.

"We knew [that we would be making history if we came back] and that's what the boss told us in the pre-match speech. Who wouldn't want to be part of something special? So of course we were up for it and I think you could see that. So it's a shame.

"The early goal was definitely a big boost for us, when you score so early it gives you a boost. Even if we hadn't scored so early we would have kept coming because you have to do that, you have to keep pounding the rock. An early goal makes you think it's possible so it was vital."

• Ref Damir Skomina has hit back at Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after their bust-up during victory over AC Milan.

Wenger was hit by a UEFA charge after clashing with Skomina during the game.

Skomina said: "Wenger's complaints say a lot about him. We had to be careful not to make any mistakes with the result that someone might say his team was knocked out because of us."

Wenger was furious with the number of free-kicks awarded to the Italians as his side battled to a 3-0 win but crashed out 4-3 on aggregate.

Skomina added: "It was a very important game.

"In our preparations, we considered a lot of different game scenarios and one was exactly as it happened in the first half — that Arsenal would go for it 'all or nothing' by putting maximum pressure on Milan's players and trying to disrupt their game. It almost worked."

• Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky had praised his teammates for their courageous performance in last night’s Champions League Round of 16 second leg.

The Gunners fell a goal short of taking AC Milan to extra-time at the Emirates Stadium with a 3-0 victory on the night to be eliminated 4-3 on aggregate after the first leg at the San Siro.

Despite exiting the competition, Rosicky was proud of the showing in front of home fans.

"I am proud of my team-mates because what we produced today was great football, but it's sad because obviously we are out of the competition," Rosicky said.

"We can go out with our heads held high but we blew it in Milan.

"We knew [that we would be making history if we came back] and that's what the boss told us in the pre-match speech. Who wouldn't want to be part of something special? So of course we were up for it and I think you could see that. So it's a shame.

"The early goal was definitely a big boost for us, when you score so early it gives you a boost.

"Even if we hadn't scored so early we would have kept coming because you have to do that, you have to keep pounding the rock. An early goal makes you think it's possible so it was vital."

• Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen suggests the club will produce a top-four finish this season if they continue with their current form.

Recently the Gunners have come from behind to beat Tottenham 5-1 and Liverpool 2-1 before getting the better of AC Milan 3-0 last night.

Even though the second leg result was not enough to get Arsenal through to the Champions League quarter-finals, Vermaelen is confident these sorts of performances in the Premier League will sew up a spot in Europe’s premier club competition next season.

"If we can play like (we did last night), there is no way that we will not be in the top four," he said.

"That performance will give us a boost now.

"We are out of the Champions League but we need to take the great feeling out of this game.

"It's really important that we qualify for the Champions League.

"I think Arsenal are a team that belongs in the Champions League.

"We have the quality to do it, that showed in the second leg."

• Arsenal convinced they have a deal in place for FC Cologne star Lukas Podolski.

Podolski will become an Arsenal player at the end of the season after Cologne accepted a £10.9m bid for the Polish-born player.

An initial £18m asking price was dismissed by Arsenal, who began the bidding at around £8m. But with Podolski underlining his eagerness to join the Gunners by settling on personal terms, Arsenal came back with an improved offer that was accepted.

The striker’s four-year deal is worth over £100,000 a week

• FC Koln striker Lukas Podolski has made it clear that money is not a motivating factor for where he continues his football career.

The Germany international is being heavily linked with a summer move to Arsenal but has reportedly also been offered big money from Russian clubs Lokomotiv Moscow and Anzhi Makhachkala.

However, Podolski says playing for cash is not his number one priority as he gets nearer to departing Cologne at the end of the season.

"Money is not the most important thing for me,” the 26-year old said. “What is crucial is the development of my game."

• Tomas Rosicky has played his way to a new contract at Arsenal.

Arsenal are also ready to reward rejuvenated Rosicky with a new 12-month contract.

The Czech Republic midfielder has won great praise from manager Arsene Wenger and captain Robin van Persie for his influence on their form turnaround in recent weeks.