Podolski will be hoping to have reason to celebrate again when Arsenal face Chelsea

Lukas Podolski has declared himself fit to play against Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League on Monday but Arsenal will be without Jack Wilshere after he was banned for two matches for making a hand gesture.

Podolski has not played since suffering a hamstring injury almost four months ago and the Germany forward’s return will be a welcome boost to Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, who has started Olivier Giroud in all but one of their league and Champions League matches this season . Podolski scored twice in a 3-1 win away to Fulham in August and sustained a hamstring tear in the subsequent 2-0 win over Fenerbahçe in the Champions L eague play-off tie.

Podolski will want to return to the team to try