Kai Havertz: Teenage boy arrested on suspicion of sending online abuse to Arsenal striker and wife

A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of “malicious communications” after he abused Arsenal striker Kai Havertz and his wife online.

Hertfordshire Police said the boy, who is 17 and from St Albans, has been bailed while inquiries continue.

Havertz’s wife Sofia posted on her Instagram Story two direct messages she received following Arsenal’s FA Cup defeat to Manchester United earlier this month, one of which included a threat to the couple’s unborn child.

The 25-year-old German forward missed a chance to win the game in normal time and then had his penalty saved by United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir in the shootout as United won 5–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.

The couple have been together since 2018 and married last year, with Sofia announcing in November that she was pregnant.

In response to the messages, Sofia wrote that the perpetrator should be “ashamed” of himself, while Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said online abuse of players has “terrible consequences” and needs to be “eliminated from the game”.