Striker Marko Arnautovic feels that he’s not just at Inter Milan to make up the numbers – he wants to be an important part of the team.

Speaking in a press conference, as reported by FCInterNews, the 34-year-old emphasized his ambition to play and win in a Nerazzurri shirt.

Former West Ham United and Stoke City striker was something of a surprise arrival at Inter this summer.

The Austrian made the move from Bologna. And the Rossoblu’s directors themselves admitted that they hadn’t expected to sell Arnautovic this summer.

Inter decided to go after Arnautovic as an experienced, reliable, and low-cost option to bolster their attack.

And this has certainly led some to have the impression that the 34-year-old is, for all intents and purposes, a backup player.

So far, Arnautovic has not started in any of Inter’s three Serie A matches. He has, however, come off the bench in all three.

Moreover, Arnautovic has gotten the season off to a strong start by assisting Lautaro Martinez in his first appearances.

Marko Arnautovic: Not Just At Inter Milan To Make Up The Numbers

Arnautovic made clear that “I’m not just at Inter to make up the numbers. I’m there to play and to help the team.”

The 34-year-old continued that “I’m very proud and happy.”

“I got the feeling like I was returning home,” he said of re-joining Inter. Arnautovic had spent the 2009-10 season on loan with the Nerazzurri.

“Even if compared to my first year at the club only five or six people are still there.”

Of the Nerazzurri’s motivation for the upcoming Milan derby, Arnautovic said that “The whole team is ready. We want to win.”

And Arnautovic also noted that he’ll be playing in his native Austria soon. The Nerazzurri will play Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League group stage.

“I can’t wait to play in Salzburg,” Arnautovic said.

“But I’ll be there to win and not just to hug anyone,” he joked.