Wenger Issues Subtle Warning To Nigeria Ahead Of Friendly Against England

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger says the English players are the masters of diving, the Frenchman told reporters at a press conference on Thursday, ahead of his team's clash with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

The respected Gunners manager made this remark four months before the Three Lions face Nigeria in a pre-World Cup friendly in Wembely.

Asked about the rise of simulation cases in English football, Wenger took a dig at English players : ''We have to get the diving out of the game.

''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.''

In November, Wenger accused Three Lions star Raheem Sterling of diving following Arsenal's 3-1 loss to City.

Spurs' Dele Alli was booked for simulation in a recent game against Liverpool, and Harry Kane was accused of diving by Reds defender Virgil van Dijk in winning a penalty.

These three players Alli, Kane and Sterling are certain to be named in the Three Lions squad for the friendly against Nigeria on June 2, barring unexpected developments.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel