Podolski: I'm starting to settle at Arsenal

Posted Thursday, August 09, 2012 by Goal.com

Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski feels he is starting to settle in at his new club following his move from Koln.

The Germany international arrived at the Gunners straight from representing his country at Euro 2012, and subsequently feels he needs a little more time to get up to full speed.

However, he is confident of being at his best for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Sunderland on August 18.

“I am now two weeks into training and it is not easy when you come back to your club after a European Championship or World Cup,” Podolski told the club’s official website.

“I need some more weeks and then you will see the real Podolski.

"It has been very good so far. This is a big club with a great coach and I am very proud to be an Arsenal player. I am looking forward to the first match of the season against Sunderland.”

The 27-year-old is now working in Arsenal’s training camp in Cologne ahead of the pre-season match between the two sides – which was arranged as part of the striker’s transfer.

He’s hoping to open his Gunners account as soon as he possibly can and believes he can achieve that on Sunday when his old and new clubs meet.

“I’m back home, in my city, and looking forward to the match,” he said. “This is my first match for Arsenal and I am very happy.

“I hope I can score against Cologne, it is not easy but we want to win the match and then look ahead to the game against Sunderland.

“I started my career in Cologne when I was 10 and then I was in the first team when I was 17 or 18 years old. It was a great time; they have great fans, a great stadium and it is a great club.

“Now they are in the second division, so it is not easy but I hope they will go back up to the first division.”