Arsenal Forward Lukas Podolski Launches Wenger 'Clown' Outburst as Exit Looms

Lukas Podolski is on the brink of leaving Arsenal in the January transfer window after claiming he will not be made to look like a "clown" by waiting around for first-team opportunities.

The Germany international has made just one start in all competitions this season and has continually complained about his lack of opportunities amid long-term injuries to Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud.

Wenger has maintained that the 29-year-old, who has two years remaining on his contract in north London, is not for sale, but Podolski has attacked the Arsenal boss and says he is unwilling to wait for further first team chances.

"I like London, I like the club. But I don't like the situation. I am not a clown who will just sit out his contract in the stands," he told kicker.

"I need to seek talks with Arsene Wenger. I want a fair chance. Just let me play. And when I have played 10 games and have not convinced [Wenger], I'll gladly join the end of the queue again."

Podolski was an unused substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Saturday, with Giroud's early return from a broken leg seeing him tumble further down the pecking order.

Former German internationals Rudi Voller and Olivier Bierhoff have urged Podolski to leave Arsenal in order to improve his international hopes, which have been damaged by his lack of appearances for his club, however viable suitors appear few and far between.

Wenger's selection policy this season has come under scrutiny from a number of first-team players including midfielder Tomas Rosicky, who says a number of individuals are ready to stage a mass exodus from the Emirates Stadium unless their fortunes change.

Arsenal are largely overstocked in attacking areas after signing Danny Welbeck and Alexis Sanchez during the summer transfer window but Wenger lacks numbers at the back with just six senior defenders available to the French boss.