Arsene Wenger wants to keep Podolski at Arsenal despite reports coming out of Germany that suggest a season long loan deal has been agreed with Bundesliga club Schalke.
Since this rumour first surfaced the German has been on fire scoring two goals in yesterday’s 3-1 defeat of Fulham at Craven Cottage.
“I am pleased for him because he hasn’t started much recently more because of the balance of the team than his performances,” Wenger told a press conference.
“I am pleased because he plays with a lot of spirit and he can score goals.
“Everybody in the squad loves Lukas and I want to keep him.
“When a player doesn’t play he is not happy and recently he did not always start but if you look at his and Giroud’s goalscoring record it’s very good.”