Lukas Josef Podolski (born on 4 June 1985) is a German footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Arsenal and the Germany national team. He is a left-footed attacker known for his strong shot, technique and probing attacks from the left side.

On 29 May 2013, Podolski scored the fastest goal in the Germany national team's history in a 4–2 friendly win over Ecuador when he scored nine seconds after kick-off. Podolski's goal was also the second fastest international goal in history. Only San Marino's Davide Gualtieri's strike against England at the 8.3 second mark in 1993 was faster.