Solbakken: Podolski is a world beater

Wolves manager Stale Solbakken today insisted Lukas Podolski will be a huge hit at Arsenal – because the German can "play in any team in the world".

Podolski recently signed for the Gunners for £10.9m, leaving a troubled Cologne behind him where he was "bigger than God", according to Solbakken.

The Norwegian caused uproar at the relegated Bundesliga club earlier this season when he stripped Podolski of the captaincy.

But the new Molineux chief is full of admiration for the Polish-born Germany international's qualities and believes be could be the ideal foil for Robin van Persie, who has been linked with moves to both Manchester clubs and Real Madrid.

Solbakken said: "He can play in any team in the world.

"He was bigger than God in Cologne – you wouldn't believe it unless you were there."

Asked if the striker will adapt to English football quickly and has the right temperament, he added: "Yes. He's physical, he's played 100 games for Germany and scored 45 goals, so I think he can cope with everything.

"He can play in either of the forward positions up front.

"If Arsenal play their usual 4-2-3-1, he can play in all of those four forward positions.

"He can play on the right, on the left, which is where he plays for Germany, as the main striker and he's been playing behind the main striker. So he can do it."

Solbakken also played down his controversial decision to remove the armband from Podolski.

He said: "A lot was made about me taking the captaincy away, but he had no problem with that.

"I wasn't trying to help him, I was trying to help the team.

"He's just had his best-ever season with 18 goals from 30 games or something and when we had all those injuries, he carried the team alone for some games.

"I did it because I had this feeling when I arrived at the club that he wanted to leave – like many of the big stars.

"Podolski had a lot of responsibility so there was constant pressure."