Galatasaray Step up Interest in Arsenal World Cup Winner Lukas Podolski

Turkish giants Galatasaray are interested in taking Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski to Istanbul after Arsene Wenger's summer spending spree meant starting places for the German might become limited.

Podolski enjoyed a successful summer as part of Germany's World Cup winning squad but could find himself slide down the pecking order at the Emirates.

So far Arsenal have signed defenders Calum Chambers and Mathieu Debuchy as well as goalkeeper David Ospina.

But it is £35m signing Alexis Sanchez that will have the most impact on Podolski's chances this season, as the Gunners look to mount a title charge.

Podolski, who joined the north London side two years ago from German club FC Koln, has been used both as a striker and a wide player during his time at Arsenal.

But with Sanchez set to start in a wide position while the injured Theo Walcott regains match fitness, the 29-year-old faces stiff competition on the flanks, where Santi Cazorla also operates, as well as up front where French striker Olivier Giroud is preferred.

The uncertainty has opened the door for Galatasaray to entertain taking Podolski to the Türk Telekom Arena as Italian manager Cesare Prandelli looks to fill the void left by Didier Drogba's return to Chelsea.

German reports say a fee of €10m might be enought to tempt Arsenal to sell the German to the Champions League side.

In other Arsenal news, club captain Mikel Arteta has said it is important the club hits the ground running this season.

"We've done our [transfer] business early this season so we can start from the off and that's what we want," the captain told Arsenal Player.

"We want to set a marker and we don't want to miss that opportunity. We've got experience now, we are able to win - we have the qualities to do it, we have the structure, the fans, the club and the desire to do it."