Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that striker Lukas Podolski's recent struggles in the Premier League are due to the difference in playing style between Germany and England.

The 27-year-old admitted this week that he finds it hard to play on the wings for the Gunners as he is not used to the defensive work, and that he wants to play as a centre-forward.

"He started well but he works very hard, and in recent games he has been a bit less fresh," said Wenger. "He's not used to working at that level of intensity because at Cologne he plays and he says, 'My friends' (Wenger held out his arms like a spectator)."

"So when you come to England, it's a shock. In England, you have [Manchester United striker Wayne] Rooney, who works his socks off.

"You have everybody who works hard. There is no room for anybody to work less or you don't exist. It's quite interesting to analyse."

Wenger added that he has full faith in the German striker to eventually adapt to the Premier League.

"Podolski will adapt, I don't worry for him," said the Frenchman. "He has a very good spirit and he wants to do very well.

"Of course, because he tries to help the team, sometimes he does some work now, but he will get used to it.

"He can as well play through the middle or behind the striker. That is one of the reasons I brought him."

Podolski joined Arsenal from Cologne in the summer.