LUKAS PODOLSKI

I know I have a left foot that was probably gifted to me by God, or someone up there, and I can always rely on it.

Back home in Germany, football people think very highly of Arsene Wenger. They listen to what he has to say and admire his achievements.

When you are in the World Cup, you must focus on seven matches and not losing any.

Mr. Wenger could have moved on to another club, I am sure, but instead chose to stay and build something over the long term. He lives and dies by his own ideas, and Arsenal is his baby.

I am a family person; we are a big family, and I need my friends around me.

A move away from Arsenal did not fall through because I had no offers to move.

Of course I'm not happy when I'm not playing.

Arsenal is a very big team, and we want to win trophies.

I always say I have two hearts - one beats for Poland and the other for Germany.

I can't express in words my gratitude towards Arsenal fans for all they have done for me in my years in London.

Going from a two-year-old Polish boy, who practically came to Germany with nothing more than a football under his arm, to a world champion - it's more than I could have ever imagined.

The main thing is to score a goal in the first half. Then everything will be possible.

When you come from Poland, you have nothing. Your mother and father are working. You have only a bed for sleep. You have a kitchen, and that's it. You must fight.

I like the Premier League; the style of play, I like it.

I think Arsenal would be good for a German coach.

When you go to a club and always sit on the bench and look at the team, it is not easy.

Every tournament and every international game played gives you additional experience which brings you forward, both on the pitch and off it, but there is nothing more special than playing a World Cup on home soil.

It's not easy in England. It's so competitive.

It was easy for me to play in the Premier League.

Arsene Wenger is a good guy and a good coach.

Arsene Wenger is a good coach. He has authority, and straight away, I can see he helps players with small things to make them better.

Cologne was my big team, my favourite team. I trained one week in Cologne, and they asked me to sign for Cologne. At 17 or 18, the coach asked me to go the first-team training ground. I was lucky to have that coach.

When I'm on the pitch, I'm happy. I can shut everything else out.

Football is like recreation for me. I'd sooner be playing five-a-side than going out to eat or shopping.

I want to be playing and enjoying my football.