Police have opened an investigation into social media abuse directed at Arsenal forward Kai Havertz’s wife following his most recent dismal performance.
Havertz missed a penalty in Arsenal’s FA Cup third-round shootout defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
Following Arsenal’s second consecutive loss, the Germany international’s wife, Sophia, uploaded two hateful remarks she got on Instagram.
A police spokeswoman informed Britain’s Press Association that officers received an allegation of harmful communications directed against a Hertfordshire household on Sunday, January 12. “Enquiries are underway.”
On Tuesday, ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League match against Tottenham, manager Mikel Arteta warned of the “terrible consequences” of internet abuse. “It’s something that we really have to eradicate from the game, because it’s so cynical as well,” he told me.
Havertz has scored 12 goals in 27 matches for Arsenal this season.
However, his poor finish against United, as well as the previous 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle in the League Cup semi-final first leg, have reignited criticism of the German.
Havertz, who won the Champions League final for Chelsea in 2021, has had an irregular period at Arsenal since moving across London in 2023.
However, Arteta stated that there is no explanation for the abuse, saying, “We can accept it and say ‘that’s our work,’ but there are limits and a line must be set. It can’t happen. “That’s it.”