Arsene Wenger responds to Podolski exit talk

Despite Lukas Podolski's suggestion that he will look to leave Arsenal as soon as possible, coach Arsene Wenger has said that the German will remain an important member of his squad for the time being.

Podolski had been linked with a transfer to Juventus and his former club FC Koln are amongst the teams to have shown some interest.

However, Wenger is not looking to sell the German right now as the transfer window is still not open.

Wenger told reporters: "It is quite simple, there is no transfer market at the moment. When there is no transfer market, you are all on board – or not on board. It is like that,” the manager said.

"This is a job where you can only be successful if you’re fully committed. You cannot be half in and half out, so all this transfer speculation is not considered at all. We are all on board to get results, and Podolski will be part of that."