Lukas Podolski is hoping to score many more goals for Arsenal this season after finding the back of the net against former side Cologne, with the striker looking more likely than ever to be front and centre as transfer speculation surrounds Robin van Persie.

Fans had replaced van Persie's name in their chants with Podolski as the Germany international ran rampant over his old club at the weekend, and after the Gunners won 4-0, it looked like the pain of losing their best striker would be soothed if Podolski can keep up form like he displayed.

And the 27 year old says he's hoping to boast multiple performances like the one against Cologne, as Arsenal prepare for their season opener against Sunderland on Saturday.

"That is the kind of goal Arsenal fans can expect from me," he told the Arsenal website. "It was a good goal. We played very well with good combinations and it was fun.

Lukas Podolski
Lukus Podolski is hoping to be as useful for Arsenal as he was for Cologne.

"The passing and the movement of the team is very good - it is a good match. This is what I want and what I like. I like to pass quickly and, without the ball, to play and go. This is my style of football and we play this style.

"For me it has been very easy to settle. It's a very good team and the guys are very good - it was easy to be one of the guys. It's a great atmosphere."

Arsenal face a particularly tough fight for a trophy this season, with the big four now more of a big six as Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and the Manchester clubs compete for a spot in the Champions League.

And Podolski is well aware of the increased competition, though he believes that with a winning mentality the club can get a good start to the season and beat off their rivals on all levels.

"The Premier League has five or six teams who can play for the title and we are one of them," he explained.

"We really want to win this trophy and I hope I can score a lot of goals and make some assists to help the club in the Premier League.

"When you are a footballer you must be ready - you're on the pitch to win. Whether it is against Cologne or against Sunderland, you are a footballer and you must be ready to win matches."

Germany