Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker hopes he can be joined at the Emirates by FC Cologne striker Lukas Podolski. The Daily Mail says Mertesacker has been in touch with fellow German Podolski, urging him to join the club in January.

Mertesacker said: "Of course I've been on the phone to him. He is a great player. He scores a lot of goals. His left foot is unbelievable."