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Wenger says English players are masters of diving

By Daily Sports on February 9, 2018

English players may be the "masters" of diving, said Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

Tottenham's Dele Alli was booked for simulation in Sunday's draw at Liverpool. Team-mate Harry Kane was accused of diving by Reds defender Virgil van Dijk in winning a penalty.

"I remember there were tremendous cases here when foreign players did it," Wenger said.

"But English players have learned very quickly and might be the masters now."

The Frenchman said in November that Raheem Sterling "dives well" following Arsenal's 3-1 defeat at Manchester City.

Wenger, whose side face Spurs in the Premier League at Wembley on Saturday, said: "I don't tell my players to dive at all. We have to get diving out of the game.

"Sometimes players play a little bit with the rules. How far can you go? That is down to the referees."

On Thursday, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said diving was not connected to a player's nationality.

When asked if he agreed with Wenger the 45-year-old laughed and said: "Argentinean, Brazilian, French, it's the sense of football.

"Let's not be focused on one country. I love the diversity. You can find it in England or Spain a different type of player."

Pochettino also referenced the penalty awarded against him for upending England's Michael Owen during a 2002 World Cup match, when replays later suggested he had not touched the striker.

"I am honest always," he said. "In 2002 my vision about English football. I didn't touch Michael Owen and he dived.

"Today we are so sensitive. I like to treat the sense of football. Football for me is being creative. To try to not cheat but trick the opponent in a good way."

•Photo shows Arsene Wenger.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 9, 2018