Arsenal: Lukas Podolski joined Galatasaray due to 'congestion' in ranks says Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he decided to let Lukas Podolski join Galatasaray this summer because with a number of wide players in his ranks, the Germany international would have struggled to secure regular playing time at the Emirates Stadium.

Having moved to north London from Cologne in the summer of 2012, the 30-year-old versatile forward made a good impact during his first years with the Gunners but fell out of favour last season following the arrivals of Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck.

After failing to start a single Premier League game during the first part of the last campaign, Wenger allowed him to join Inter Milan on loan for the remainder of the season in order to secure more playing time.

But having failed to make the impact expected in Serie A, Wenger recently allowed him to complete a permanent move to Galatasaray.

The French boss claims he still rates the Germany international but believes that with a number of players in his position, including the likes of Sanchez and Theo Walcott, the best decision for Podolski and the club was to part ways.

"Lukas Podolski played in a position that is congested because we have so many wide players or players who can play wide," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"I felt that the opportunities for him to play with the stature a player has, he needed to go somewhere and play. I believe it's a good move for him because if Lukas has confidence and trust from the manager, he has the potential and the talent. I was not sure I could give that to him here."

Podolski had previously claimed he would like to return to Arsenal but recently explained a frank conversation with Wenger led him to make the decision to move to Turkey.

"After good and open talks with Arsene Wenger, I came to the conclusion that a change was the right decision," he told Sport Bild according to Goal.com.

"The league is not at the level of the Premier League or the Bundesliga but Galatasaray are a permanent feature in the Champions League and have stars, such as Wesley Sneijder, who are world-renowned."