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The German international, 29, is currently on a six-month loan deal with the Nerazzuri - who are lying in ninth place in Serie A.

Podolski joined the Italian giants in order to avoid rotting at the Emirates and to secure regular first-team football.

However, his time in Italy has not gone to plan and he has struggled to settle at the San Siro.

And Mancini, who spent four years in the Premier League with the Gunners rivals Manchester City, has revealed the former Bayern Munich striker wants to return to north London.

"In Italy we have a habit of not being able to wait," said Mancini in response to criticism of both Podolski and his other January recruit, Xherdan Shaqiri," Mancini said.

"Not everything can be done quickly, especially when moving from one country to another, from one club to another.

"The same applies to Podolski who I consider a great player and a great professional. That situation is a little different though, because he is on loan and wants to return to Arsenal."