Fit-again Podolski thrilled with return

Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has spoken of his elation at returning to the pitch from a hamstring injury.

The German international missed four months of football after tearing his hamstring against Fenerbahce in August, but came off the bench to score in their London derby success over West Ham on Boxing Day.

"When you are out for a long time it is not easy, but I'm happy to be back," Podolski told the Daily Mail.

"I've never had muscle problems before so it was a new experience and not easy.

Özil: Wenger was key to signing for Arsenal

Mesut Özil says he chose to move to Arsenal because of manager Arsene Wenger's track record of improving players and his team's brand of attacking football.

The Germany playmaker left Real Madrid in the final hours of deadline day to join Arsenal for a club-record 50 million euros ($66 million), making him the third most expensive signing in English football history.

Lukas Podolski bagged a brace as Arsenal stormed to a 3-1 win at Fulham on Saturday.

                              

Olivier Giroud poked the visitors in front after 14 minutes, making it three goals in three games for him this season.

Podolski, in contrast, had not started in the current campaign. But he would make up for that, burying a pair of shots from the edge of the area.

The first came five minutes before the break to quell a Fulham revival. The second, midway through the second half, all but secured the points.