Lukas Podolski admits he is unhappy with the bit-part role he is playing at Arsenal, conceding he could leave the club in January. The 29-year-old, who won the World Cup with Germany in the summer, also revealed that he could have left Arsenal before the transfer window shut, but there were no offers forthcoming.

Podolski has started just once for Arsenal this season, making seven appearances as a substitute, and Theo Walcott’s return to fitness is only likely to push the German down the pecking order. “I am not happy with the situation at the moment. It would be wrong to suggest that I am,” said Podolski. “I still have fun playing football but when the competitive element of it is taken away from me, the one I enjoy so much, then I am not happy. I have to think about will happen this winter and will look to hold talks with the club.”

Asked about leaving during the summer, he added: “There were no offers. In football you can’t sadly just go looking for a club but have to see what comes.”

Podolski’s only start this season came in the Capital One defeat to Southampton at the Emirates Stadium while his only goal was in the Champions League victory in Anderlecht but he admits he is at a loss as to why he is not featuring more regularly. “I don’t know why that is, one has to ask the manager back in England,” he said.