Arsenal crisis worsens: Podolski voices frustration

Arsene Wenger is facing a crisis on several fronts with Lukas Podolski raising his voice for being played out of position at Arsenal.

The former Bundesliga star is frustrated at being played out in preference for the misfiring Olivier Giroud who started in the centre of Gunners' attack during Arsenal's Champions League win over Schalke on Tuesday.

Despite providing the assist for Giroud's goal, Podolski believes his scoring opportunities are limited when playing on the left and he has demanded an opportunity to switch positions.

The Germany international has been deployed on the left of Arsene Wenger's attacking trio this season.

Podolski has scored four goals since arriving from Cologne in the summer.
 
But, like his team-mate Theo Walcott, the 27-year-old wants to be used as a centre-forward with Wenger's preferred 4-2-3-1 system.

"I'd rather play centrally up front," he said. "On the left I have to do a lot of defensive work, constantly running up and down. I am not a classical winger.

"Arsenal was a change, a different country and a new club. I am getting along well, for sure, but I demand more of myself - I want to play even better."

Walcott made the same request recently and his move to central striker saw him net a hat-trick in Arsenal's Capital One Cup rout at Reading.