Lukas Podolski: 'Arsene Wenger aided Galatasaray move'

Galatasaray new boy Lukas Podolski has thanked Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger for helping him seal his switch to Turkey.

The 30-year-old had fallen out of favour in North London under Wenger last season, before enduring a mixed loan spell at Inter Milan from January.

The Germany international completed his move to the Turkish giants last week, and the forward says that productive talks with the Frenchman accelerated his exit.

"After good and open talks with Arsene Wenger I came to the conclusion that a change was the right decision," he told Bild.

"Galatasaray have tried very hard to get me for five years and in the end, the whole package fitted."

Podolski, who joined the Gunners in 2012 from Koln, netted 31 times in 82 appearances for the club.