Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski admits new signing Danny Welbeck will be ahead of him in the pecking order at the Emirates.
The former Manchester United striker joined the Gunners in a £16 million move on transfer deadline day and is expected to make his debut against Manchester City on Saturday.
And Podolski knows that he will have to play second fiddle to the England international, at least at the start of Welbeck’s Arsenal career.
“Initially, it’s a difficult situation for me,” Podolski told Kicker.
“When you buy new players for a lot of money they have an advantage because they will play.
“But we’ve got a long season ahead of us, and we’ll see what happens. When I am in top shape, I am a perfect fit for the Arsenal team.
“And I see myself in the first XI then, that’s what I work towards. I am not sure, [but] I hope that that’s the case.”
Podolski had been linked with a move away from Arsenal during the transfer window, but any talk of a transfer was scuppered by a long-term injury to Olivier Giroud.