Wenger brands Inter Milan's interest in Podolski 'a joke'

Arsenal football team manager Arsene Wenger has branded Inter Milan's reported interest in German Lukas Podolski as a 'joke' and claimed that he wants the out-of-favour forward to stay at the club.

Podolski has expressed his unhappiness at his lack of playing time this season and Inter coach Roberto Mancini recently reportedly revealed that he is monitoring the Germany International's situation.

However, Wenger dismissed the reports and said that he had no intention of allowing his squad to be weakened during the January transfer window, Sport24 reported.

Wenger claimed that that is a joke, adding that Inter is not serious. He said that it is nothing serious, claiming that they talk, and there is only talk.

Podolski might have more opportunities of playing in the weeks ahead, with Olivier Giroud serving a three-game ban and Danny Welbeck having injured his thigh during Sunday's 2-1 win at West Ham United.

The Frenchman said that Podolski is a player of Arsenal Football Club and he wants the German. Apart from that, he added that what it is to be professional is that as long as one is somewhere, one gives their best to justify their wages and love for the club.