Lukas Podolski: 'Arsenal strong enough to qualify'

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski is confident that his side will reach the knockout rounds of the Champions League, despite failing to defeat Schalke 04 in Germany last night.

The Gunners relinquished a two-goal lead, which was secured by Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud, to draw 2-2 in the Group B clash last night.

"I think 2-2 is a fair result," Podolski told UEFA.com. "Schalke's goal just before the break was something of a blow for us. They applied a lot of pressure in the second half, and that's why I think both teams deserved a point.

"We're still strong enough to get out of the group [and] that remains our objective. Schalke are a very, very good team. They work very well when they don't have the ball and have fantastic players going forward."

Arsenal sit second in the group, just one point behind leaders Schalke.