Joachim Low has told Lukas Podolski that he needs to get back into the Arsenal team, amid speculation that the Germany international could soon leave the Gunners.
Earlier this week, the 29-year-old Arsenal forward, who has made only four substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, said he would seek talks with the club about his future and hinted that he could move on.
"Let's see what happens," he said. "It is hard when you can't do what you love. I don't know why that is -- you'd have to ask my coach in England."
Podolski has been linked with a move to Serie A side Inter Milan, and Low said: "He needs to give his future some thought. It's now mandatory that he plays regularly somewhere. I am still a firm believer in him.
"I realise that he lacks the fitness to go for 90 minutes. You can see that he is not playing a lot of games, and he needs competition. That's where he gets his momentum and power from."
Low announced that Podolski is set to be part of the starting lineup in the Euro 2016 qualifier against Gibraltar on Friday, adding that the match against the minnows would suit him. "He won't have to track back for 90 minutes against them," he said.