Boy, 15, arrested over racist tweet targeting Arsenal striker Welbeck

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested over a racist tweet aimed at Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck.

The teenager, from Salisbury in Wiltshire, was held and questioned on suspicion of racial abuse following the posting of a message on Twitter after Welbeck scored the winner to knock his former club Manchester United out of the FA Cup on March 9.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said: "A 15-year-old male from the Salisbury area was arrested on the evening of March 12 on suspicion of racial abuse.

"He has been released on police bail until April 13. The investigation is ongoing."

Welbeck, who has been capped by England 32 times and scored 12 goals, joined Arsenal for £16 million last year following the arrival of new Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

The Manchester-born striker spent six seasons at Old Trafford after coming through the club's youth system.

Some United fans were unhappy at Welbeck's enthusiastic celebration after scoring against his former club.

But many other clapped their former star when he was substituted towards of the game by boss Arsene Wenger, who snapped him up last summer after he was told by United manager Louis van Gaal, he had no future at the club.

One added: "LVG didn't show him any respect by selling him why should he show us any?"

And former players applauded his right to celebrate his goal. Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said: “Brilliant celebration from Welbeck none of that respect Man Utd fans nonsense.”