Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted that he does not give importance to rumours linking striker Lukas Podolski with a January exit from the club.

The German international has yet to start a Premier League game for the Gunners this season, with Wenger favouring the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Danny Welbeck and Oliver Giroud ahead of him in the pecking order.

The Frenchman has not insisted that he does not get into such speculation, and considers Podolski as an important player at the club.

Podolski could feature for the Gunners at West Ham United in the Premier League on Sunday, following Giroud's red card during the club's 2-1 home win over Queens Park Rangers yesterday.