Arsene Wenger: Lukas Podolski Not For Sale

Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski is not for sale despite being linked with a move to Napoli following an infrequent role this season, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

The 29-year-old has started just once in all competitions for the Gunners this season despite the likes of Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud having spent lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Podolski has taken aim at his treatment by Arsenal during the recent international break during which he played 90 minutes in Germany's 4-0 European Championship qualifying win over Gibraltar.

Despite being heavily linked with a move to Italy, with Juventus and Napoli among the clubs reportedly interested in signing Podolski, Wenger says Arsenal have no plans to sell the forward.

"It is not established at all that he will leave at Christmas," he said. "It is me who sets the price and [the reported deal] doesn't correspond at all to his price. He is not for sale and there is no offer.

"Podolski plays a position where there is a big competition. He came very late from his holidays [after the World Cup in the summer], so he started after his teammates and was not good physically."

Joel Campbell is another ostracised Arsenal player being linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium, with midfielder Tomas Rosicky – who has seen first team opportunities limited as well – claiming several first team players are preparing to leave the club.

With Arsenal having bolstered their attacking ranks in the summer, the future of Podolski appears to be bleak and ex-Germany boss Rudi Voller says the player might have to consider leaving to maintain involvement with his national side.

"You must not write Poldi off, he's not very old yet, at 29," Voller told Bild am Sonntag.

"Lukas is a very good player who always faces up to the challenge. Competition has got fiercer, but it says a lot that he is still always involved [(for Germany].

"Of course it's an advantage for a player's self-confidence when he is playing regularly, though."