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Arsene Wenger says English players are the new 'masters of diving'

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has reacted to comments on diving made by Mauricio Pochettino and jokingly claimed English players are the new masters of the art

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has claimed English players are "maybe the masters now" after he was asked about diving in football.

Wenger was asked about the subject in his pre-match news conference before the north London derby against Tottenham.

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino recently claimed football is about "tricking the opponent" following claims his players dived at times during the 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

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The Gunners boss insisted he would never ask his players to dive in the penalty area and voiced his opinion that home-grown players are now as culpable as diving as foreign players.

"I think he wanted to say that tricking your opponent, you have to be clever," Wenger said of Pochettino's comments on diving.

Arsene Wenger during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium
Image: Arsene Wenger has had his say on the subject of diving in football

"How far was it an apology for diving? I'm not sure. I don't think he would.

"I think you have to get rid of diving out of the game. I remember there were tremendous cases here when it was foreign players who did it.

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"But the English players have learned very quickly and are maybe the masters now."

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