Arsenal cult hero Podolski being investigated by police for ‘forbidden’ way he said goodbye to fans in last-ever game

ARSENAL hero Lukas Podolski is being investigated by German police shortly after his final ever match.

Podolski, 39, rolled credits on his 18-year career that saw him playing for the likes of Bayern Munich, Germany and of course the Gunners.

Arsenal hero Lukas Podolski announced his retirement from football in a testimonial matchGetty

Podolski landed in trouble with the police during the testimonial in CologneGetty

Podolski lit a flare, which is forbidden in German stadiums, and faces a fine

The winger hung up his boots while playing for Polish outfit Gornik Zabrze and bid farewell to football in a testimonial match that was put together in Cologne two weeks ago in front of 50,000 fans.

The ex-Germany international put together his own team he dubbed Team Poldi, which beat a Koln XI 5-3 at the RheinEnergieStadion.

The ex-Galatasaray star received a standing ovation from the crowd after the match which led to him breaking down in tears.

An emotional Podolski then joined the crowd in the stands and was pictured holding a burning pyrotechnic flare as he bid farewell to his fans.

According to Kolner Stadtanzeiger, as per Bild, that landed the German in hot water with the Cologne police as it is prohibited to set off flares in German stadiums.

In fact, that is considered an administrative offence and thus Podolski is facing a pyrotechnics fine.

The same source claims the city is responsible for collecting the fine and the Koln legend will probably receive a hearing notice in the mail within the next few days.

Former police director and head of operations at the Cologne stadium Volker Lange didn’t mince his words about the forward as he dubbed him a “bad role model”.

Lange said: “Firstly, it is forbidden, secondly, he is a bad role model. And thirdly: Someone who will take on responsibility at FC should be a role model – also in such points.”

A number of football greats honoured Podolski during his testimonial match, such as Manuel Neuer, Joachim Low, Mats Hummels and ex-Arsenal team-mate Per Mertesacker.

The ex-Inter Milan star enjoyed immense success as he won the Bundesliga with Bayern, the World Cup with Germany and the FA Cup with Arsenal, where he amassed 31 goals and 15 assists in 82 games.

And Podolski has proven to be successful off the pitch as well thanks to his ice cream and kebab business.

It has been reported that the former Arsenal ace, who spent three years at the Emirates before his departure in 2015, has seen his net worth rise to £177.5million thanks to his investments.