Podolski promises Gunners up for it

LUKAS Podolski is confident Arsenal can put their stuttering form behind them when they face Wigan in the FA Cup semi-finals.

Everton's defender John Stones (left) slides in to tackle Arsenal's striker Lukas Podolsk

LUKAS Podolski is confident Arsenal can put their stuttering league form behind them when they face holders Wigan in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Saturday.

Arsenal haven’t won a major trophy since 2005 and their season is now threatening to hinge on the outcome of the Cup campaign.

Last weekend’s 3-0 defeat by Everton effectively ended Arsenal’s Premier League title hopes and indeed left the north London club in a desperate battle for a top four finish and involvement in next season’s Champions League.

But Germany striker Podolski has insisted he and his team-mates are paying no attention to the gathering gloom surrounding Arsenal.

“It is always like this in football - when you win something, you are the best, you are the hero. When you win nothing or you lose a couple of matches, you are like nothing for the people and for the newspapers, the TV and the for the fans,” Podolski told Arsenal Player.

Arsenal's Lukas Podolski has a shot at goal saved by Manchester City's Joe Hart.

“But I think this is a part of sport - you win together and you lose together, but in the end you must concentrate on your job and forget all the other things that have happened.

“We have the chance now for the FA Cup and we will see what we can do on Saturday - and I can promise we will give all of what we have to go through to the final.”

The 28-year-old added: “You don’t fight always for one person - you fight for the club and every player that plays on the pitch gives 100 percent every time.”

Arsenal, having led the Premier League earlier in the season, are now out of a title race featuring current table-toppers Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City.

“When you play for Arsenal, every year you fight for the title and this year we were close to winning the league. Nearly the whole season, we were top of the League and now the last matches were not so good,” said Podolski.

“We lost a lot of matches and we lost a lot of points so now we are a lot behind.

“It is difficult to look for the Premier League title, but we have a big chance for the FA Cup and we must keep that chance. It is the biggest cup in the world and a big tradition.

“After a long time it is an important thing for the club and the players as well, so let’s see what happens first on Saturday and then if we go to the final.”