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Lukas Podolski stormed out of Arsenal’s training ground on Wednesday after becoming increasingly frustrated with life at the Emirates.

Podolski did not train at the Gunners’ Hertfordshire HQ after complaining of a groin injury and he has not travelled with his team-mates for the New Year's Day game at Southampton.

But it is understood that the 29-year-old forward was furious because his future is uncertain. He fears Arsenal are blocking a potential move to Inter Milan.

The fall-out has escalated quickly, with Podolski annoyed at not being given enough first team chances this season despite winning the World Cup with Germany last summer.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger made a very pointed remark on Tuesday about the need for players to “be professional as long as you are somewhere, to give your best to justify your wages and your love for the club.”

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Podolski has been in no rush to leave the Gunners and has great affection for the club and its fans, but he has finally lost patience at barely getting a look-in for the starting XI.

Even after scoring twice at Galatasaray in the Champions League in December, Podolski was dropped back to the bench for the ensuing Premier League game against Newcastle.

Arsenal declined to comment on Wednesday night.

Inter boss Roberto Mancini wants Podolski, but Wenger has branded their efforts to sign him a “joke” and it is understood Inter are miles short on Arsenal’s valuation.

West Ham 1-2 Arsenal in pictures:

Podolski is on £100,000-a-week and the Londoners are not prepared to let him go on the cheap - they may sell for around £6m though, and want a permanent deal rather than a loan.

Galatasaray and Atletico Madrid are also watching developments but Inter are in pole position as Podolski seeks more regular football.

After being a non-playing substitute in the win at West Ham on Sunday, the German insists he is not fit enough to train despite Arsenal’s mounting injury crisis.

Olivier Giroud is suspended, Danny Welbeck is not in the squad for the Southampton trip because of a thigh injury and Yaya Sanogo has a hamstring problem.

It is likely Alexis Sanchez will start up front at St Mary's.

Arsenal are considering a loan deal of their own - Atletico Madrid midfielder Mario Suarez has been offered as they look to make a stop-gap signing before moving for Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin in the summer.

They may also consider St Etienne utility man Loic Perrin as a stop-gap signing, and they have West Ham’s Winston Reid and Celtic’s Virgil Van Dijk as other defensive possibilities.