Podolski: I didn’t want to leave Arsenal but had to in order to get games

Lukas Podolski claims he did not want to leave Arsenal in 2015, with the World Cup winner seeing his hand forced by a lack of regular game time.

Podolski told Arsenal Player: "There are always some things.

"You weren't happy because you're not playing, maybe the coach isn't happy because you're not playing how he wants, maybe he sees another player above you?

"I don't know. I had some games I played very well, I scored goals or played well and the next match I was sitting on the bench again. That's why I started thinking, 'I'm going to have to change this situation'.

"I was thinking I was ready for Arsenal, I was thinking I was ready for the starting XI or to come on earlier but it was not like that. "For any reason it sometimes happens like that in football or sport and that's why I decided to move. This is life, this is sport, I didn't want to but I had to because I wanted to play football. I wanted to be on the pitch but I would have loved to stay at Arsenal for a couple more years because I felt really great there. "The team, the stuff around the team and everyone at the club was so friendly - like a family. Great fans, great city, the stadium - everything! I really enjoyed it but in the end it is like it is. "I had some talks with Arsene about my situation and I told him, 'I want to play, I want to come on earlier' and of course, he's the coach, he has to decide, he can't promise players a bonus or to always play. No coach gives you that. So I decided for myself to move forward."

Podolski took in 82 appearances for Arsenal in total, with 31 goals recorded across those outings.