Hitzlsperger: Podolski will shine at Arsenal

Lukas Podolski will be a hit in the Premier League according to his former Germany international teammate Thomas Hitzlsperger.

Podolski agreed a move to Arsenal earlier this year and is set to join up with his new Emirates Stadium colleagues following Germany’s elimination from Euro 2012 this week.

Hitzlsperger, who played in England for a number of years, thinks Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has made a good choice in the former Bayern Munich striker, despite him not having the most successful European championship on a personal level.

“He’s a good lad and a very good football player. Looking at the Euros it wasn’t his tournament to be honest but I think he needs a change,” he told talkSPORT.

The former Aston Villa man felt that being away from his homeland would do Podolski some good.

‘Poldi’ is a hero in his native town of Cologne and has only really performed to his best when there – a move to Bayern a few years ago did not turn out as successfully as many had hoped.

He returned to Cologne and has since grown into a more nuanced forward but the team's success has not mirrored his personal achievements as they were relegated last year - Hitzlsperger believes the time is right for a new challenge.

“He needs to get away from Germany, play a different style of football and play in a team that is very good where they don’t just focus on him,” he added.

“At Cologne he was the main man and he couldn’t always fulfil his potential but he is a very good player and I wish him good luck.”