Wenger: English are dive masters
ARSENE WENGER has claimed English players are now the ‘masters’ of diving. ‘I remember there were tremendous cases here when foreign players did it, but I must say the English players have learned very quickly and they might even be the masters now,’ he said. The comment comes after Tottenham and England stars Harry Kane and Dele Alli were accused of diving in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Anfield. Arsenal travel to Wembley for tomorrow’s north London derby with Wenger confident Jack Wilshere is close to agreeing a new deal.
ARSENE WENGER has made the startling claim that English players are now masters of the art of diving.
The Arsenal manager’s remarks come just days after Tottenham pair Harry Kane and Dele Alli — two of England’s most high-profile players — were accused of diving in Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
Wenger’s comments are sure to add spice to tomorrow lunchtime’s north London derby as the gunners go to Wembley in a clash that could be crucial in the race for the Premier League top four.
While admitting Alli deserved to be booked for diving at Anfield, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said earlier this week that part of football was about ‘tricking the opponent’.
Wenger leapt to the defence of Pochettino yesterday, insisting the Argentine’s comments had been blown out of proportion.
But Wenger also said attempting to con referees has become embedded in homegrown players, when for many years it was seen as something foreign stars had brought to the English game.
‘I remember there were tremendous cases here when foreign players did it, but I must say English players have learned very quickly and might even be the masters now,’ said Wenger. ‘I am convinced that he (Pochettino) wanted to say that tricking your opponent is to say that you have to be clever.
‘How far was it an apology for diving? I’m not sure. I don’t think he would say that. In my personal case? I don’t encourage my players to dive. Sometimes you want your players to be intelligent, they have played a little bit with the rules, they make more of it with penalties. Every striker will do that. They extend the rules a little bit. How far can you go? That is down to the referees. I think that sometimes, at normal speed, it is very difficult to determine.’
Pochettino yesterday backed up Wenger’s assertion, insisting simulation has long been rife in English football — claiming Michael Owen conned the referee into awarding England a penalty for his own tackle in the World Cup clash against Argentina in 2002.
Owen won a penalty — that David Beckham converted to win the game — after drawing contact from Pochettino in the penalty area. The Spurs boss is adamant that Owen, a former Liverpool and Real Madrid striker, deceived the referee in Japan 16 years ago.
When asked whether he agreed with Wenger’s comments about diving in English football, Pochettino responded: ‘Yes, (but also) Argentinian players, Brazilians, French players — that is the essence of football. It’s not to talk in general or focus on one country or nationality. I love the diversity. You can find it in England, Spain or Argentina, different types of players. In 2002 my vision about English football changed. I didn’t touch Michael Owen but he dived. In that moment I didn’t know English. I didn’t speak English, I didn’t hear the comments. Today we’re so sensitive about details.’
Pochettino also sought to clarify his comments in which he said football was about tricking opponents, which was widely interpreted as condoning diving.
‘Sometimes it’s difficult for me to be honest and explain — my language is not English,’ the Argentine added. ‘It’s difficult to use the right words. I don’t like it when some people twist my words. My intention is to keep the essence of football. I love football.
‘Football for me means being creative, don’t feel the limits. Try to not cheat, but trick the opponent in a good way. I’m not going to change my opinion.’