During the course of my week I come across quite a few stories that don’t seem to make the mainstream press or, at least, get delayed and I thought it might be an idea to collect some of those up.

lukas podolski
via strassenkicker.com

Often those stories involve former Arsenal players and it’s an area I like to keep an eye on and that’s very much the case this week.

Tractor boy

adebayor v city 2009
Emmanuel Adebayor, during his Arsenal days.

Emmanuel Adebayor (remember him?) was apparently thinking about a move to Iran to play for Tractor when I started writing this. The 35-year-old has been without a club since June when his contract with Basaksehir expired.

By the time I’d finished, he’d already moved.

Ice-cream united

podolski ice cream

Lukas Podolski has just signed a contract to sell ice-cream to Cologne. He has, apparently, set up a business called ‘Ice-cream united’. I swear, I’m not making any of this up.

Yes, minister?

VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 22:  FIFA Legends Birkir Kristinsson of Iceland and Nwanko Kanu of Nigeria prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Iceland at Volgograd Arena on June 22, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia.  (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
VOLGOGRAD, RUSSIA – JUNE 22: FIFA Legends Birkir Kristinsson of Iceland and Nwanko Kanu of Nigeria prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group D match between Nigeria and Iceland at Volgograd Arena on June 22, 2018 in Volgograd, Russia. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Kanu, meanwhile, is now advising government departments after being named Senior Special Assistant on sports matters.

“This is a good thing for me and a welcome development knowing that Mr. Governor believes in my ability,” he said.

“For me, it’s a good path to thread knowing that I have been an apostle of grassroots sports for long. So this is a very good opportunity to do more.

“In terms of sports development, Imo state will get more and benefit from my wealth of experience.

“Although it will be too early to make promises, I can assure you that I will do everything within my ability to justify this appointment.”

Still going

Arsenal's Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (L) celebrates with Arsenal's Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP)
Arsenal’s Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (L) celebrates with Arsenal’s Swiss defender Stephan Lichtsteiner after scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Southampton at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 24, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP)

Finally, Stephan Lichtsteiner looks set to join FC Augsburg according to Kicker.

The Swiss international has been a free agent since his release by Arsenal earlier in the summer.