Lukas Podolski has bemoaned the injury which kept him out of the first half of last season, saying he’d have improved on his first campaign with the Gunners if he’d stayed fit.

In 2012-13, the former Cologne man scored 16 and made 11 assists, while last season he notched up 15 and 2 respectively, but considering how much football he missed the goal figures are particularly impressive.

Speaking to Kicker, he said, “If I hadn’t been out injured for five months, it would have been an even better one than the first season.”

The German then played down any suggestion that he was set for a summer departure from the Emirates, saying he was happy at Arsenal and in London.

“As it stands I will stay at Arsenal. That won’t change tomorrow either. The step to move to London was the exact right one.

“I feel great in the city, in the league and in the club. The two years were outstanding for me.”

With his first medal after the FA Cup win, it looks as if he’s keen to add more to his Gunners collection, and he’s exactly the kind of player any squad needs to add real depth.

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Quotes via @SanBorussia