Pod: Don’t forget me

LUKING GOOD ... Lukas Podolski

LUKAS PODOLSKI is ready to remind Arsenal why he was once among the most feared strikers in the world.

The German international has been watching the club’s pursuit of Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney and Gonzalo Higuain this summer.

Yet he maintains he still has a huge role at the Emirates. He said: “I did well considering it was my first year in the Premier League but I can do better now.

“I had an ankle problem which meant I missed a lot of matches. But now it’s OK and I am pain free.

“My intention is to play better, score more and make more assists.

“It’s very important we qualify for the Champions League and fight for the Premier title. That’s our target.”

Arsenal forked out £11million to sign Podolski from Cologne last summer and the 28-year-old responded with 16 goals.

Pod arrived as the youngest player in history to win 100 caps and one of Germany’s all-time top scorers with 46 international goals.

He spent most of last season on the left instead of his preferred role in the middle.

But he is thinking only about the wellbeing of the team as he pushes himself in Arsenal’s training camp here in Japan.

He said: “I like the Premier League and the style of play.

“It’s a big tempo and always exciting. It’s much more competitive than in most countries.

“Here you have five or six teams fighting for first place.

“We have good players and a great coach at Arsenal and I think it’s all there for us to have a big year.

“When you look at our finish last season we’ll have the belief to go forward — if we bring in new players.

“We have a good team and a good style so if we can pull it all together then we can win the title.”