Arsene Wenger hopes for Lukas Podolski stay

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has stated that speculation linking Lukas Podolski with Inter Milan is "a joke".

Inter boss Roberto Mancini said that the Italian club were interested in signing the Germany international from the Gunners.

However, Wenger hopes that the 29-year-old will remain at the Emirates Stadium.

"That is a joke. Inter Milan is not serious," Wenger told reporters. "It is nothing serious. They talk, there is only talk.

"Podolski is a player of Arsenal football club and I want him to stay. Apart from that, what it is to be professional is that as long as you are somewhere, you give your best to justify your wages and your love for the club."

Podolski joined Arsenal from FC Koln in 2012.