Lukas Podolski: 'Lack of game time meant I had to leave Arsenal'

Lukas Podolski has admitted that Arsene Wenger's reluctance to show faith in him led to his decision to call time on life at Arsenal.

The German World Cup winner joined Inter Milan on an initial loan deal until the end of the season earlier this week, having failed to make a single start in the Premier League for the Gunners this campaign.

Podolski has been used sparingly in other competitions, too, starting just two games in total. In December, the 29-year-old netted twice in a 4-1 win against Galatasaray in the Champions League, only to be overlooked by Wenger in the following game.

"Wenger said to me I was the best finisher at the club," he is quoted as saying by The Sun. "Let me play, then. If you always play ten or 15 minutes, you can show nothing. I was coming on at either 0-0 or 2-0 or 3-0 down.

"The big moment was after the Champions League game. I played a very good game against Galatasaray and then I was on the bench again. I knew I had to move."

Podolski made his Inter debut during Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Juventus.