Podolski fed up of being Wenger's fall guy

 

Lukas Podolski admits he is growing increasingly frustrated at getting hauled off by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

The German, who has not completed a full 90 minutes since the Champions League second-leg at Bayern Munich at the start of March, was withdrawn again during Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final with Wigan.

Podolski made way for Olivier Giroud as the Gunners searched for an equaliser in the 1-1 draw and, although he was pleased to see his side go through on penalties, he conceded the situation is getting to him.

‘I play and in the last games, I always come out and of course you cannot be happy when you always go out after 60, 70 minutes,’ he said.

‘When you go out and you are happy, you are not a footballer so of course I am not happy always to be substituted.

‘It’s the decision of the boss, he is the manager. He decides who comes in, who comes out, who are the first XI.

‘It’s not always easy when you play for a big club but of course I am not happy to always come out and watch from outside. You cannot be happy with this situation.’

Podolski also warned Wenger that it would be a ‘disaster’ if Arsenal lose out on a Champions League place to fourth-placed Everton this season.

‘Every season is a pressure when you don’t win anything but we have the chance this year to win the FA Cup so maybe it helps the club, us and the boss,’ he said.

‘But the other important thing is to get fourth place back because when you don’t play in the Champions League, it’s a disaster.’