Arsenal star heaps praise on under-fire Wenger ahead of Bayern clash

Tuesday, February 19, 2013
1:07 PM

Arsenal’s Lukas Podolski has given his full backing to manager Arsene Wenger as they prepare for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie against Bayern Munich.

Wenger has come under intense pressure following Saturday’s FA Cup knockout by Blackburn and the Frenchman compounded matters with yesterday’s ill-tempered press conference.

But Podolski, who played for Bayern between 2006 and 2009, insists he has no regrets about joining the Gunners and says he loves working with Wenger.

“To begin with, Arsene Wenger is a great personality,” he told Die Welt. “A fine person. He has got a clear idea of football.

“He sets great values upon possession of the ball and wants us to quickly get into an attacking position. He does not want us to park the bus.

“Wenger’s philosophy is that Arsenal attack. It is understood that this does not always works out. But he has coined this style since his arrival in 1996.”

On tonight’s match, Podolski said: “Bayern are favourites, no doubt about that. In two games we will have our chances to reach the next round.

“You can be sure, we will not sit and wait to find out what Bayern does. We have the quality to stand our ground against them.”