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Podolski quiet on future

Image: Lukas Podolski: Striker is staying focused on Cologne following reports of interest from Arsenal

Lukas Podolski is keeping focused on Cologne after declining to comment on reports he could join Arsenal at the end of the season.

Striker focusing on Cologne amid reports of Arsenal interest

Lukas Podolski is keeping focused on Cologne after declining to comment on reports he could join Arsenal at the end of the season. The striker has a further year to run on his contract at Cologne, but has previously expressed his frustration at the club's lack of progress. The Bundesliga outfit are waiting for the Germany international to make a decision on his future amid speculation last week that he has already agreed terms with Arsenal. Cologne have not given up hope of convincing him to sign a new contract, and Podolski was not giving anything away after scoring the equaliser in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Hoffenheim.

Tough

"I will give all I have got to the very end," he told reporters at the Rhein-Neckar Arena. "We have 10 more very tough matches. "Every game is a final for us. On Saturday we have an important game against Hertha (Berlin) and we need to win that game at all costs." When pressed on whether he would be leaving Cologne to join Arsenal in the summer, Podolski said he had "nothing to say" on the issue, asking only for the next question. Cologne director of sport Volker Finke was equally tight-lipped, telling Bild: "We don't want to give any indication at all as to what stage we are at." But coach Stale Solbakken said Podolski would "give everything for Cologne in the last games" before adding "whether he moves or not."