Lukas Podolski warns Arsene Wenger will prove hard act to follow: 'He is Arsenal'

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Lukas Podolski has warned Arsenal that finding a replacement for Arsene Wenger would prove difficult as the under-fire manager "is Arsenal".

The Frenchman's current contract is set to expire at the end of the season and terms on an extension are understood to have been agreed, but growing fan unrest due to poor results has prompted speculation over a possible exit.

​Podolski played under Wenger during a three-season spell at Arsenal and expects the Frenchman's achievements over 21 years to be a hard act to follow.

He told Sky Sports: "I follow nearly every match - when not live, on social media - and I don't know what's happened.

"Arsene Wenger is a good guy and a good coach. He built this club from nothing to now, and it will be interesting what happens in the next months."

When asked whether he thinks Wenger should stay, Podolski added: "I don't know who the guy is that can replace him. He is Arsenal."

Wenger, who is out of contract in the summer, has said he has made up his mind on whether he will remain in charge beyond the end of the current campaign but is yet to reveal whether he will sign a new deal.

The 67-year-old insists he will remain loyal to Arsenal irrespective of whether he leaves in a matter of months or years.

He told beIN Sports: "My news is that I have no news for you.

"No matter how long I stay I will be committed and completely focused as long as I stay at the club, so how long I stay doesn't really matter because as long as I'm there I'm completely focused on what is to achieve the best with the club."

Wenger has also denied he has been offered a contract by Ligue 1 champions Paris St Germain.

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