Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger weighed into the debate about simulation in the English Premier League on Thursday by suggesting that English players may have become “the masters of diving”.
Wenger made the statement ahead of the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley, and was speaking as the fallout continued from last weekend’s 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Spurs.
During the match, Tottenham’s Dele Alli was booked for diving and Harry Kane was accused of falling too easily to win a penalty kick under a challenge from goalkeeper Loris Karius.
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino had defended his players by saying part of football is about “tricking the opponent’’.
However, Wenger believes those comments have been blown out of proportion, saying simulation was an increasing problem.
“We have to get the diving out of the game,” the Frenchman told a news conference on Thursday.
“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.”
Alli has been particularly criticised after receiving his third caution for simulation.
Wenger did not name the England midfielder but said there is a fine line between what is legal and what is not.
“I don’t encourage my players to dive. But sometimes you want your players to be intelligent. They have played a little bit with the rules, they make more of it on the penalty kick case,” he said.
“Every striker will do that. They extend a little bit of the rules. How far can you go? That is down to the referees and I think that sometimes, at normal speed, it is very difficult to determine.”
Wenger will decide on Friday whether to play Petr Cech or David Ospina in goal as the Czech continues to recover from a calf injury.
The injury led to his substitution in Saturday’s 5-1 win over Everton.
“Cech or Ospina, I will make that decision tomorrow,” said Wenger. “Petr Cech has not practiced, but I will not take any risk if he is not 100 percent fit.
The Frenchman also hopes to have Nacho Monreal and Danny Welbeck available for the game.
It is the first time Wenger has taken Arsenal to play Spurs at Wembley, a ground where the Gunners traditionally thrive, winning the FA Cup final in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
“We feel we have a good level of performance at Wembley. It gives you a good pitch to allow you to play the way you want to,” said Wenger.
The Arsenal manager will face Spurs for the 52nd time in his 22 years as Arsenal manager.
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