Podolski to undergo ankle operation in the summer

The Germany international has been advised to have corrective surgery on the injury problem that has troubled him ever since he joined Arsenal during the previous close season

EXCLUSIVE
By Wayne Veysey | Correspondent
Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski is set to have ankle surgery at the end of the season, Goal can reveal.

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It is understood that the Gunners star, who has been hampered by a long-standing complaint since joining the club last summer, has had injections before matches to help nurse him through the second half of the season.

Arsenal's medical staff have advised that the Germany international undergoes corrective surgery on the troublesome joint, believed to be his left ankle, to clear up the problem for good.

This could rule Podolski out of Germany's end-of-season friendlies against Ecuador and USA on May 29 and June 2.

The former Koln striker was a regular for the north Londoners in the opening two-thirds of the season but his ankle problem, combined with a calf injury, kept him out of the starting line-up for more than two months.

The 27-year-old led the Gunners' front line against Manchester United on Sunday in the absence of the suspended Olivier Giroud.

However, Podolski was substituted and has completed 90 minutes only four times in his 39 appearances for the club this season.