Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger wants Podolski to stay at Emirates

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has insisted he has no desire to sell German forward Lukas Podolski in January.

The 29-year-old is reportedly keeping an eye on a winter exit over a lack of first-team chances at the Emirates, who has yet to start a game for the Gunners this season.

It is understood that Wenger doesn’t want to reduce his attacking force and has confirmed that the striker is not for sale in the coming transfer window despite speculations that the player could depart in winter.

“He plays a position where there is a big competition. The post where I have a lot of players. He came very late from his holidays [in the summer],” Wenger told beIN Sports.

“He started after his team-mates and was not good physically.

“It’s not established at all that he will leave at Christmas. It was me who sets the price and it doesn’t correspond at all to his price. He is not for sale and there is no offer.”

Podolski’s contract runs until 2016, has played just one game for the north London club this season since returning to the club after World Cup success in summer.