Per Mertesacker abused on Twitter after posting tribute to Robert Enke

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Arsenal centre-back Per Mertesacker was abused on social media site Twitter after posting a tribute to former German goalkeeper Robert Enke.

Then 32, Enke committed suicide after struggling with depression following the loss of his daughter; Monday marked five years to the day of his death. He was widely tipped to be Germany's No 1 keeper at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

To mark the anniversary, Mertesacker tweeted: "Remembering a great footballer and friend – Robert Enke. @EnkeStiftung #gedENKEn."

But some people on the site, whose tweets have been deleted, posted anti-Semitic and racist abuse, as well as criticising Meresacker's talents.

One user, @InteriorWrighty, posted: "You’re slow, s***, and your ancestors killed Jews. At least one of those were good." Another called the defender a "tall shit", while someone else told him to "work on ur [sic] heading".

Several users of the site berated the posters, with one posting: "have some f****** respect you joke".

Mertesacker previously quit the site a couple of years ago after being the subject of abuse after an Arsenal defeat to Norwich.