Former Arsenal star 'being investigated by German police'

A cult hero from Arsenal's past has landed himself in hot water with the German police after his actions at an exhibition match earlier this month. 

The forward in question spent three years at the Gunners, playing 82 games and scoring 41 times under Arsene Wenger's side, before departing for string of sides across the world. 

The nomad also featured heavily for the German national team, winning 130 caps for his country and was part of Die Mannschaft's 2014 World Cup winning squad. 

Earlier this month the player took part in a testimonial in his hometown of Cologne, where the city's RheinEnergieStadion saw 50,000 flood to the ground to celebrate the career of one of their favourite sons. 

Lukas Podolski gave an emotional speech after the game to the fans in attendance, which had been widely interpreted as his retirement only for that not to be the case, with the veteran turning out for Polish side Gornik Zabrze at the weekend. 

However, his actions on the night appear to have caught the attention of the police, with reports from German outlet Bild suggesting that Cologne authorities are investigating Podolski. 

After the game, the ex-Arsenal striker was seen holding up a red flare in front of the south stand with a group of fans.

Pyrotechnics are banned in Germany from being set off inside stadia, and doing so considered a breach of administrative rules, normally incurring a fine and hearing. 

Now, the head of operations at the stadium itself - and a former police director - has slammed Podolski's actions and accused the player of being 'a bad role model'.

'Firstly, it is forbidden, secondly, he is a bad role model,' claimed Volker Lange. 'And thirdly: Someone who will take on responsibility at FC should be a role model - also in such points.'

The game was reportedly further mired in controversy after it emerged that there had also been riots at the venue on the night. 

Bild claims that a Polish hooligan is thought to have threatened a club employee with a knife, while foreign stewards were allegedly insulted and threatened by the hooligans. 

It continues to state that during riots around the game, 14 police officers received injuries and an investigation team has since been formed. 

After scoring for both Team Poldi and a Cologne XI during the game, Podolski took the microphone to deliver a goodbye speech which saw the player pledge his lifelong allegiance to the side. 

'It's over on the pitch now, but we'll definitely see each other again off the pitch - whether in the stands or on the road,' Podolski said. 

'Once a Cologne fan, always a Cologne fan.

'It really touches me that so many fans would like to come to enjoy this special evening with me,' he told the 50,000-strong crowd. 'It is an honour for me to wear the Billygoat on my chest once more in front of a full house.

'It's a final declaration of love for this special city, the club with its fantastic fans, my team-mates for so many years and other people who have accompanied my path.' 

Taking part in the testimonial were a raft of famous faces including former Germany No 1 Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Per Mertesacker, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick, and former national team manager Joachim Low.

Podolski had previously retired from national team duty in 2017, and he remains the third-most capped player in German history.   

Away from football, Podolski has been diligently making a name for himself in another field entirely. 

Mail Sport met with Podolski in June to discuss his £180million kebab empire, where the entrepreneur discussed building his business and potential plans for club ownership - with Gornik Zabrze top of his list.