By John Drayton
PUBLISHED: 07:17 EST, 7 July 2013 | UPDATED: 08:04 EST, 7 July 2013
Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski is adamant that Arsenal will mount a serious title challenge next season as they are the only team that qualified for the Champions League to keep the same manager.
In his first season at the Emirates Podolski scored 11 times and also grabbed 10 assists, putting him in the Premier League's top 10 goal contributors.
Podolski said to The Sun: 'The hope is that this season Arsenal will be at the top of the league. English football, thankfully, is not like Spain where you only have two teams - Barcelona and Real Madrid - who fight at the top.
Contenders: Lukas Podolski believes that Arsenal have what it takes to mount a serious title challenge
'In the Premier League, you have five, six, even seven top, top teams. It's very difficult but I know that Arsenal are one of those top teams who will be involved.'
Arsenal appear likely to strengthen their attack considerably in the summer. They have already signed Yaya Sanogo on a free transfer from Auxerre, and are hoping to unveil Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain at some point in the next week.
Asked about the competition for his place, Podolski said: 'It's always good when good players come in. I don't worry about a specific player. And it's certainly not a problem.
'I'm strong enough and I have qualities. And when good players come in, I'll play with good players.'
Attacking recruits: Yaya Sanogo has already signed and Gonzalo Higuain could be next
German duo: Podolski was recently seen with Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg
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Realistically Arsenal need to spend money to challenge for the title like everyone else has to.
- JBCFC , Hayling, England, 08/7/2013 12:24
If the much heralded (in the DM at least) Higuain doesn't come to the Emirates there are going to be some very disgruntled Arsenal fans who will feel they have been lied to again.
- longbranch262 , Derby, 08/7/2013 12:18
Arsenal are a great club but this same rubbish about chasing the title comes every year and every year they finish well off the pace. Without heavy investment the cycle will continue year after year.
- jonfromthenorth , sheffield, 08/7/2013 11:45
DATS THE SPIRIT! KEEP THE FAITH!... GO GUNNERS!
- chukky707 , helsinki, Finland, 08/7/2013 11:42
People seem to have this 'lovely, spend thrift, granddad like figure' of Arsene Wenger; the man HAS spent enormous sums of money in the past, sadly those purchases have not been especially successful, not altogether failures, but something has not quite worked out! Yet I did approve of Wenger's policy of bringing in youngsters; French, German, English etc etc and giving them first team experience; I respected him for it - whilst both United and City spent MASSIVE amounts to win the title; not to mention Chelsea, not so much Q.P.R - but Wengers ideals inspire respect, yet not success. Evidently this season he is going to spend, spend and spend just like Utd and City - who are the last two Champions, so I see where he got his idea from and why! But is I just me - is there not something romantic about buying a cheap unknown and turning him into a world beater? We've all played Football Manager - there is a purer joy in developing players as oppose to simply buying some else's best.....
- Sullen , Lincoln, United Kingdom, 08/7/2013 09:37
Arsenal fans still compare themselves to United. Newsflash, we have moved on from the rivalry with the has beens that is Arsenal. Chelsea came in with Mourinho and we dealt with them, and now it is City and a resurgent Chelsea who will our title rivals. Not Arsenal. Arsenal fans saying United are afraid of the gooners are laughable. Think about it, you sold us your best player/captain, we won't be selling you Rooney, we are looking likely to make some astounding surprise signings to an already title winning team. Chelsea are strengthening well and City are in transition but still miles better than Arsenal when you compare the squads. The only reason Chelsea and City finished just a few points ahead of the goners was because of managerial inconsistencies at Chelsea, a problem they have likely solved for atleast a couple of years with appointment of the excellent Mourinho, and Mancini's pathetic tactics last season. United are in a league of their own anyways. What have Arsnenal got?
- TheLegendOf7 , Manchester, United Kingdom, 08/7/2013 09:18
Top of the league, you"re aving a laugh mate!!! so far you have only signed Yaya, an unknown average player like Gervhinho and dreaming of Rooney, Suarez and Higuain. Get real!!!
- vic , London, 08/7/2013 06:22
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People seem to have this 'lovely, spend thrift, granddad like figure' of Arsene Wenger; the man HAS spent enormous sums of money in the past, sadly those purchases have not been especially successful, not altogether failures, but something has not quite worked out! - Sullen , Lincoln, United Kingdom, 08/7/2013 09:37 - Enormous sums is a bit of an exaggeration I think. Our transfer record is 15 million for Arshavin. There are about 10 other clubs in this country who have spent more on signings, including Southampton and Everton. Every penny he has ever spent he has raised off his own back, to the point where his average net spend is approx 1 million per season over his 16 years of service at Arsenal. I agree it's a romantic notion, but due to the increase in the competitive level of the league with clubs like City and the Chavs being sponsored by natural resource thieves it is no longer possible. What can you do other than spend a bit more to try and keep up?
- Return of the Egg , London, United Kingdom, 08/7/2013 15:34
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