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CHANGED HIS TUNE

Arsene Wenger blasts Raheem Sterling as a ‘diver’… just months after he tried to sign him

It is believed the Gunners boss had targetted Sterling as part of any deal Manchester City wanted to do for Alexis Sanchez

ARSENE WENGER branded Raheem Sterling a diver after his Arsenal side were beaten by leaders Manchester City.

The Gunners made a bid to sign the £49 million England winger just before the transfer deadline in August.

 This was the moment Raheem Sterling went to ground under a challenge from Nacho Monreal
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This was the moment Raheem Sterling went to ground under a challenge from Nacho MonrealCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Raheem Sterling dives 'very well' after he won a penalty for Man City on Saturday
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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says Raheem Sterling dives 'very well' after he won a penalty for Man City on SaturdayCredit: AP:Associated Press

But Wenger was furious at the way he went down under a challenge from Nacho Monreal to hand City their second goal.

He was also bitterly disappointed with City's third goal - with David Silva clearly offside as he squared for Gabriel Jesus to score.

But Wenger said: "I believe it was no penalty. We know that Raheem Sterling dives well, he does that very well.

"And the third goal was offside. I am very upset because at 2-1 we were in the game."

 Raheem Sterling has been blasted by the manager who tried to sign him in the summer
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Raheem Sterling has been blasted by the manager who tried to sign him in the summerCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Raheem Sterling won his side a penalty that Sergio Aguero made no mistake with
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Raheem Sterling won his side a penalty that Sergio Aguero made no mistake withCredit: Reuters

Wenger was critical of referee Michael Oliver's performance - and could now land himself an FA charge.

He felt the two goals City got in this fixture last season should not have stood and implied they always get the decisions.


AR YOU SERIOUS? Arsenal fans are fuming with THIS player


Wenger said: *"*I would say overall the referee made the decision today, with the soft penalty and the offside goal.

"But we are used to it when coming here, last year they had two offside goals, and once again.

"I feel referees don't work enough, because the level drops every season at the moment. Overall it's unacceptable what happens."

Guardiola hit back - saying Arsenal have benefitted from debatable decisions themselves - notably when they won at Burnley last season.

He said: "We won in the best way and we deserved by far. The chances we created and the few chances we conceded.

"They tell me it was offside and I don’t like to win in that way, so it’s like this, but *sometimes Arsenal win in Burnley 0-1 with a hand*.

"So sometimes it is like this. The way we like to play, we did it really well."

Is this a penalty for Manchester City's Raheem Sterling or a harsh call on Arsenal's Nacho Monreal?
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