Mikel Arteta says social media networks must take greater responsibility for online abuse of footballers, and fears it is causing "a lot of damage" to the mental health of those on the receiving end.
Southampton's Alex Jankewitz became the latest player to suffer racist abuse online since the middle of last week, with Chelsea's Reece James and Manchester United's Anthony Martial, Axel Tuanzebe and Marcus Rashford among other targets. West Midlands police arrested a man on suspicion of racially abusing West Brom midfielder Romaine Sawyers after their game against Manchester City.
It is a recurring problem that has never been adequately dealt with, and Arteta believes urgent action must be taken.
“There are all types of different abuses, and I think it has to be eradicated completely. I think social media has a big responsibility on that, because then you talk about the mental health of the players and public and how exposed they are. I am all open and I’m for people to have their opinions, but not just to be insulting people, abusing people and using a screen on a mobile phone to tell whatever you want to a person you don’t even know.
“That for me has to be eradicated because it is causing a lot of damage in football and a lot of damage to public people. So I think we have to be really strong on that, and I think they [social media companies] as well have a big part to play to support us and the industry here.”
On Wednesday the UK culture secretary Oliver Dowden said he was prepared to “get tough” on social media platforms that do not stand up to their duty of care, and that “criminal sanctions” could be imposed on senior management in extreme cases.
Red card
Arteta takes his Arsenal side to Aston Villa on Saturday, but they will carry severe collateral damage from Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Wolves. Their appeal against the red card given to David Luiz for fouling Willian José – an incident that turned the game and seemed harsh at the time – has been rejected. Arsenal said they were “disappointed” and the centre back will be suspended for one game.
Bernd Leno serves a one-match ban of his own after being dismissed for handball in the second half at Molineux; Arteta does not yet know whether Mat Ryan will be fit to make his debut in goal so Alex Rúnarsson may start.
Southampton succeeded with their appeal against Jan Bednarek's red card at Manchester United.
– Guardian
