Frustrated Poldi

In Cologne, on November 11, people normally dress up and celebrate the start of the Carnival festival, one of Germany's most famous and traditional parties. On the same day in Berlin, Cologne's favorite son, Lukas Podolski was left feeling more a party pooper than party popper.

The attacker is suffering from a lack of game time at his club team, Arsenal, and it seems it might be starting to cause some problems at the national team level.

"Lukas needs to have fun when he plays," said team manager Oliver Bierhoff to journalists, presumably mirroring earlier discussions held internally. "He needs to work out whether he's happy to not be playing regularly - or whether he can move somewhere else and enjoy himself more."

Podolski seems to be thinking the same way as Bierhoff: "Of course, I can't be satisfied when I'm not playing," he admitted.

"I still have fun playing football and I'm keen to play. But when I don't get to taste the competition, which I so love, then I am not satisfied."

'Ask the coach'

So far this season, Podolski has taken to the field in just four games in the Premier League, playing just 46 of a possible 990 minutes. He still hasn't scored in the league yet, and has only scored once in Europe, ironically a crucial last-minute winner against Anderlecht.

It's continuing a worrying trend: Since he joined from Cologne in 2012, he's played just 57 times for Arsenal. Last season he managed a pretty measly eight league goals.

What must be more concerning for Podolski is the way things are developing within the Germany team. The attacking forward has a remarkable 120 caps for Germany, but has been largely used from the substitutes' bench by Joachim Löw across the last two seasons. His last start was against the United States at the World Cup in June, although he will be hopefully of another start against Gibraltar this Friday night.

"I have to think about what will happen in winter and I will talk to my club," he said, adding that he didn't know why he was getting so little game time under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. "You have to ask my coach in England... I'm always working hard in training."

"If nothing happens in winter then I will stay," he said. "It's not like I have a way of exerting any pressure on the club."

Career planning

The player that German fans love to call 'Poldi,' admits that he didn't have any major offers on the table last summer, even though he knew of his uncertain status at Arsenal.

Still, reading between the lines from today's statements, it doesn't sound like Podolski is keen to stay at Arsenal for the rest of his playing days. His concern about his current situation is understandable too. Competition for spots in Germany's midfield is fierce and the team management will have doubtful credibility if they keep picking the 29-year-old on the basis of past performances and character. But, surely, as the player in the middle of this, he isn't powerless?

Then again, where would he go after Arsenal? As a 29-year-old he may have another big transfer still in him. On the other hand, a return to the German Bundesliga would certainly be welcomed by German fans. It would almost certainly mean a pay cut for Poldi, but it might be the best option for him. He'd surely have to play for his old club Cologne - he has the city emblem tattooed on his right arm after all.

There's no doubt he would be a wonderful boost to a hard-working mid-table team, and more importantly, maybe he would enjoy himself a little more too. And, for a kid from Cologne, that's important.