Arsene Wenger: 'Lukas Podolski has suffered physically this season'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has declared that Lukas Podolski's struggles in recent months are down to the lack of a winter break in the Premier League.

Podolski has scored 14 goals in his debut season with the Gunners but has started just three games since February in a frustrating 2013 for the German international.

Wenger thinks that Podolski has suffered physically because he is used to a mid-season break in the Bundesliga and believes that the issue is common when players swap Germany for the Premier League.

He told the club's official website: "He had a good start [to the season], a very strong start. After that, he suffered a little bit physically and mentally because in Germany they have a break in mid-season.

"We have seen with many German players that when they come in for the first season, mentally they suffer a little bit. Now he has recovered and is getting stronger again. On the flanks is the most demanding position. Physically, especially in England, it's very tough.

"He's a striker. Many times we were in a position where we were in a winning position in the final 20 minutes and then I take a bit more of a guarantee defensively and take him out of the team sometimes."

With Olivier Giroud suspended for tonight's clash with Wigan Athletic, the 27-year-old could continue in attack for the third successive match.