Lukas Podolski hits back at Oliver Bierhoff abuse

Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has angrily hit back at claims from Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff that he does not deserve his place in the current national team squad.

The 27-year-old is currently in Miami training with his country ahead of upcoming friendlies with Ecuador and the United States.

The former FC Koln captain, whose development with Germany over the past 12 months was labelled as "unsatisfactory" by Bierhoff, is unhappy with the comments.

"If it seems that way to Mr Bierhoff, then that's his opinion. You don't have discuss it," Podolski told Kicker.

"I do not care. I know what I have in me.

"Things will be looking up a few years, because sometimes you can have a stop."

Podolski has 108 caps for Germany.