According to the Standard, Lukas Podolski has confirmed Arsenal were never considering a swap deal that would have seen the German make way for his compatriot and Schalke attacker Julian Draxler.

Podolski has not been involved in the first team on a consistent basis this season, and made his first UEFA Champions League start in Tuesday night’s draw against Bayern Munich. The German, who was last year’s top scorer in the competition for Arsenal, scored yet again at the Allianz Arena showing that he really is a man for the big occasion and it really does make you wonder why Wenger does not give him a prolonged run in the side.

The German international had been linked with a move away from Arsenal in the winter, and reports suggested the player would leave in search of first team football ahead of the World Cup but he stayed having only just returned from a serious hamstring injury. Draxler has been one of Arsenal’s prime targets in recent times, and could join the club in the coming summer. Arsenal did make a bid for the player in the winter, but that was well short of the £37 million buyout clause in the player’s contract.

Podolski has categorically denied that Arsenal were planning on including him as part of the swap deal for Draxler, but the 28-year old could still make his way from the Emirates in the summer which would be a crying shame as Podolski is a serious player who thrives on the big games and delivers in them – if only Wenger would give him a long run in the side and show the kind of confidence and belief in him which he seemingly has been comfortable giving Ozil. Wenger should spread the love around all his players but especially Podolski as his upside is so great.