The Metropolitan Police are investigating a racially aggravated tweet about Bukayo Saka posted at the weekend, according to a report.

ESPN report that the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that they’re investigating a tweet directed at Bukayo Saka, containing a picture edited to make him look like a monkey.

Twitter users had tagged the Met in the replies under the tweet, and the Met responded to say: “This has already been reported and is currently being investigated, thank you.”

The user who posted the tweet has been hiding his account on protected mode ever since the backlash began. Which is the kind of cowardice you’d expect from someone accused of racism.

Saka received the tweet in the wake of Arsenal’s draw with West Ham United, in which he missed a penalty.

For the most part, Arsenal players and fans have been very supportive of the 21-year-old. He’s one of the key members of the team in this title charge, and he’s already scored vital penalties this season, including against Liverpool and Manchester City.

Saka also netted a spot-kick in the Europa League shootout against Sporting Lisbon, and the West Ham penalty was the first he’d missed in his senior career with Arsenal.

But even if Saka was in the middle of a terrible season and had let Arsenal down repeatedly, that would be no excuse to direct racist abuse at him. The police now need to ensure the alleged offender is punished.