ARSENAL have stepped up their efforts in the hunt for a racist who abused forward Bukayo Saka on social media.
The Premier League side contacted X/Twitter bosses at the weekend to demand the post be removed.
And they are now working with data science company Signify to unmask the troll.
The firm uses AI tech to identify abusive social media users.
Last year, 18 Arsenal members were banned as a result of its probes.
Yesterday, London’s Met Police also confirmed officers are investigating the offensive post, but said no arrests had yet been made.
Saka, 22 — who played in yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa — was subjected to a vile slur by the yob who said he “needs to be humbled before he ruins this sport any further”.
It came after Arsenal’s 2-2 Champions League draw with Bayern Munich last Tuesday in which Saka went down late on and appealed for a penalty.
Some fans believe he tried to con the referee by throwing himself into Bayern’s goalie.
His abuser’s account has now been made private, so it is not known if the offensive post has been deleted or not.
However, The Sun on Sunday revealed Elon Musk’s platform had refused to remove it after it was reported — insisting it “did not violate safety policies”.
A source at Arsenal said: “Player welfare is our first priority and our full focus is on supporting Bukayo. We have began our own investigation to attempt to identify the abuser and have contacted X.
“We’ll always take strong action to stamp out this abhorrent behaviour.”
Arsenal began working with Signify after Saka and England teammates Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho were racially abused for missing penalties in the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy.
The Sun approached X for comment.
Ibranzy
0
this is what you get when you decide to represent another at international level instead of Nigeria your father's land
Man why didn't represent india in a food eating final, i dont think you anything about football ball. Saka is.
Ibranzy
0
I already told you that this Manchester united one man's show media line is useless. Silly !
JijangaUtdfan
0
Nobody asked him to play for England. Instead of him to play for his race he decided to nationalize for England. That's his own cup of tea
You’re true 100% , he dumped his roots where he came from
Ceuanopru
0
so please tell every arsenal fan to do their best on wednesday
Ceuanopru
0
there is still hope
Ceuanopru
0
look where I we lose together we win together
Ceuanopru
0
I can affect them emotionally and prevent them from scoring bayern
Ceuanopru
0
have you guys forgotten that they are humans so with this type of abuse
Ceuanopru
0
look if you abuse saka who has been so good this season,how can he influence the bayern game
Ceuanopru
0
look guys listen to me please, it's true that arsenal lost,but it isn't over
raycdeimu
1
it's called free speech ya cunts. he can say what he wants
OK so I can say you are just a piece of shit,,
Lukazskub
0
this is what you get when you decide to represent another at international level instead of Nigeria your father's land
Lisabkmnor
0
Some of these comments show that England is still backwards when it comes to racism
Beneklmnpy
0
Nobody asked him to play for England. Instead of him to play for his race he decided to nationalize for England. That's his own cup of tea
where would England be without the black players?
Zamolinbo
0
Nobody asked him to play for England. Instead of him to play for his race he decided to nationalize for England. That's his own cup of tea
Just stay quiet
ksantos
1
do this racist people take black players as a robot who will perform at highest level week in week out
Zedaekmpuz
4
Nobody asked him to play for England. Instead of him to play for his race he decided to nationalize for England. That's his own cup of tea
buuckloptu
0
how is that statement racist? Media has made us very sensitive and give a fck about alot of mini things
sky-bee
2
you wont see anything there though but was it the first player to dive or decieve a referee.
SimpleSoccerFan
1
Didn't see anything racist about what was said. Sometimes people carry these racist accusations to far tbh.
caobklmnu
0
it's called free speech ya cunts. he can say what he wants