"When you want to achieve something, you have to be hungry" – Lukas Podolski sends message to Arsenal amid ongoing title race

Former Arsenal attacker Lukas Podolski has urged his former club to maintain their pace in the ongoing Premier League title race following a recent league defeat.

The Gunners, who finished second in the Premier League in each of the past three terms, are currently leading the pack with 33 points from 15 games. However, they are closely followed by Manchester City, who are on 31 points from 15 games, and Aston Villa, who are on 30 points, now.

After Arsenal's 2-1 away league loss at Aston Villa earlier this Saturday (December 6), Podolski was asked to share his honest thoughts on the current Gunners team. The Gornik Zabrze star replied to club media:

"Mikel [Arteta] and everyone at the club is building a strong team. They have been unlucky to finish second but this is the Premier League. Everyone wants to be on top... let's cross our fingers that we can be on top this year. In the Premier League, every game is hard, but I have a good feeling. I have a feeling that something can happen and I hope to celebrate a title this season."

Podolski, who registered 31 goals and 15 assists in 82 outings for Arsenal, added:

"There is a long way to go. You have to be motivated, you have to be calm and you have to be hungry every game, every single minute. When you want to achieve something, you have to be hungry every second. I think Mikel has the right motivation and mentality and it's nice to see how he moves the whole club forward. I hope he can stay there for a long time like Arsène Wenger did."

Mikel Arteta's team will next face Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League this Wednesday before hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league on Saturday.

Arsenal eyeing move for 20-year-old attacker

Arsenal are monitoring Real Madrid-linked Kenan Yildiz's situation at Juventus, as per Italian reporter Gianni Balzarini. During a recent chat with Italian news website TuttoJuve, Balzarini claimed (h/t GOAL):

"Arsenal have asked for information. It's part of the game, there's no negotiation, let's be clear, but they have asked for information about this player who, in my opinion, could also do very well in the Premier League given his physical and technical characteristics."

Yildiz, who is reportedly at a contract standstill with Juventus, has scored 18 goals and provided 14 assists in his last 71 overall appearances for the Bianconeri.

Should he decide to leave the Serie A side and join the Gunners in the future, the Turkey international could start ahead of Gabriel Martinelli on the left flank.