Lukas Podolski discusses former manager Arsene Wenger, his aims with Inter, and why Manuel Neuer didn't win the Ballon d'Or.
The Polish-born striker enjoyed his debut as a starter last Sunday in Inter's 3-1 victory over Genoa, which followed on from a public fall-out with his former manager at Arsenal.
Lukas Podolski discusses former manager Arsene Wenger, his aims with Inter, and why Manuel Neuer didn't win the Ballon d'Or.
The Polish-born striker enjoyed his debut as a starter last Sunday in Inter's 3-1 victory over Genoa, which followed on from a public fall-out with his former manager at Arsenal.
“I had no problems with him, many of my comments were just exaggerated,” he said in an interview with Bild.
“All I wanted to highlight was that he didn't wish me luck for my new adventure.
“These gestures ought to be done. We even managed to speak in my last training session in London, but still nothing…
“Only Wenger knows why I didn't get playing time. After the World Cup he told me that I was a very important player for him.
“But the numbers don't lie. When I played, I did well.
“Finding no space with Arsenal, I had to change scenes and I chose Inter. They are one of the top 10 teams in the world."
Podolski joined the Nerazzurri on a loan deal and may be returning to Arsenal, but the striker stressed that he was free to choose.
“I don't depend on anyone, neither as a footballer nor as a man. At the end of the season I will speak with Arsenal and we'll see what to do.”
Another former Inter player, Lothar Matthaus, holds the record for the number of call-ups with the national team, and the 29-year-old might match him.
“He has 150, I have 122. It would be nice to overtake him, but this is not my target.
“I want to get my condition back, then I can play with continuity in the national team as well.
“As for the Ballon d'Or, I was sorry for Neuer. I supported him, among other things because he revolutionised the goalkeeper's role.
“You can't compare goalkeepers with strikers. The deck is stacked against them. What the supporters want to see are the goals.”