Arsene Wenger believes Germany’s ‘political demonstrations’ contributed majorly to their early exit at the World Cup in Qatar.
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Germany failed to get out of Group E after finishing level with second-placed Spain on four points but with a worse goal difference.
Moments before their opening match against Japan – which they went on to lose 2-1 – Germany’s stars staged a protest on the pitch as they covered their mouths in response to FIFA’s decision to not allow OneLove armbands to be worn.
And Former Arsenal manager, Wenger claims Germany’s decision to protest in Qatar diverted their focus from performing in matches.
Speaking alongside former Germany striker Jurgen Klinsmann on Sunday as part of FIFA’s technical briefing on the group stage, Wenger was asked if a lack of preparation for the World Cup led to shocking results in the tournament.
Klinsmann went on to describe the competition as a ‘World Cup of adaption’, and said some teams ‘struggled to adapt, especially mentally, to everything you find here, you will struggle and get a negative surprise’.
Wenger, who is FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, suggested in his response that Germany’s ‘political demonstration’ played a part in their group-stage exit.
‘I would just add that the teams who were not disappointing with their first-game performance – when you go to the World Cup you know you must not lose the first game – are the teams who have experience, have results in former tournaments like France, like England, like Brazil – they played well in the first game,’ Wenger said.
‘And the teams as well who were mentally ready like Jurgen said, who had the mindset to focus on the competition and not on political demonstrations.’
Wenger also believes Southgate is ‘in a good situation to deliver’ success with the England team after failure at previous tournaments.
‘For the teams that have not been consistent visually, England is one of them,’ said Wenger.
‘England was been absolutely outstanding in the first game, they struggled in the second game against the States and then they have back when needed to give a convincing performance against Wales.
‘There have been big ups and downs. None of the big countries has been so disappointing.
‘England has learned a lot. They have been in the last four of the World Cup, the last two of the Euros. Compared to Belgium which is past the peak, England looks to be a team that is now at the peak to deliver. It has learned and is still a young team.
‘Gareth Southgate is a very intelligent man, who is capable to analyse the games well and his own performances as a coach.
‘He is like the team. He has learned from the World Cup and the European Championship and he is now in a good situation to deliver. If all goes as planned, the two favourites of England and France might meet.’
