Arsenal have asked for witnesses to come forward after a fan was racially abused at the Emirates during their 2-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
The alleged incident happened "in and around" the toilets in the North Bank stand. Arsenal have passed the case on to the Metropolitan Police and condemned the abuse, describing it as a "physical attack" on the man's "cultural identity".
The Gunners lost to title-chasing Liverpool after second-half goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino. But Mikel Arteta's side got back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon, with a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa thanks to first-half strike from Bukayo Saka.
"We have made contact with a season ticket holder, who has confirmed that during half time of the match against Liverpool on Wednesday, March 16, he was the victim of racial abuse and a physical attack on his cultural identity," read an Arsenal statement.
"The details given by our supporter have been passed onto the Metropolitan Police and we are appealing for any witnesses who were in and around the toilet facilities in blocks 100 – 101 in the North Bank Upper Tier at half time last Wednesday.
"If you witnessed the incident, or have any information which may help us identify the culprit of this shameful act, please contact us on 020 7619 5000. Arsenal is a home for everyone and we take all forms of discriminatory abuse and violence extremely seriously.
"We will not stand for this kind of behaviour. We will continue to remain in contact and offer support to our fan who was the victim of this appalling incident."
Arsenal players Nuno Tavares and Nicolas Pepe were racially abused during their team's win against Leeds in December and Rob Holding, who reported the incident, has urged fans to speak up if they hear such language being used.
"I was on the bench when it happened," Holding told Arsenal's website. "When the lads came back it was Emile [Smith Rowe], Nuno and Nico, and Emile was sat next to me and said, ‘The lads just got racially abused’, and I was like, 'What just warming up then?'
"He said yeah. There was like a split decision where I was thinking, ‘I need to do something about that’ and I went and talked to the assistant manager, Steve Round, and he then reported it to the fourth official."
Holding added: "Then they stopped the game, the ref came over and I had to give an account of what happened and then it went from there and it was dealt with the authorities. By the end of the game, I think the culprit had been taken out."
On the importance of reporting incidents of racist abuse, Holding said: "As a human being it was the right thing to do, regardless of what praise you might get... me, as a person, was doing the right thing."
Arsenal are currently fourth in the Premier League, four points ahead of Manchester United in fifth with a game in hand. Tottenham and West Ham are also in the running for Champions League qualification, with the latter also competing in the Europa League.
