Wenger persuaded Gunners ace to stay.
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Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has revealed that he had offers to leave the club towards the end of this summer, according to Bild.
The German international is known to have been unsure over his role in the Arsenal first-team in the final weeks of the transfer window, with a number of top clubs queueing up to sign him if he became available.
Juventus were among those most strongly linked with the former Cologne man, though he has revealed that he was approached by a number of Bundesliga clubs, though he admits he would have found it hard to play for another club in Germany apart from his hometown side.
“There weren’t a lack of offers,” he said. “There were some requests from abroad (outside Germany), and also from the Bundesliga. But it would have been difficult for me as a FC Cologne fan to play for another club in Germany.”
Podolski also explained that he had a conversation with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger over his future, with the Frenchman assuring him he would be a key part of his first-team plans this season.
“I had a very good conversation with manager Arsene Wenger,” he added. “He stressed that he relies on me and my qualities.”
Although the 29-year-old has not yet featured regularly this season, his ability to play either upfront or out wide could prove crucial to the Gunners’ chances of success, particularly with first-choice striker Oliver Giroud now out injured until at least January.
Podolski has scored 28 goals in 70 appearances in total since joining Arsenal back in the summer of 2012.
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