Sports
Wenger Slams Florian Wirtz: He’s Destroyed Liverpool
Legendary French coach Arsène Wenger has launched a fierce criticism against Florian Wirtz, the German midfielder of Liverpool, holding him directly responsible for disrupting the balance of the team that won the Premier League last season. His comments, made on beIN SPORTS, have sparked controversy in both England and Germany.
“His signing broke Liverpool’s midfield”
The former Arsenal manager claimed that the biggest mistake in Wirtz’s arrival at Anfield were his demands during negotiations with the English club. According to Wenger, the German insisted on a non-negotiable condition: he wanted to play exclusively as a central attacking midfielder — his natural position — and not adapt to the team’s tactical needs.
“The problem lies in the demand Wirtz made to Liverpool. He asked to play as a No.10 and not on the wing if they wanted to finalize the deal. That move has destroyed the midfield of last season’s Premier League champions, where Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai shone. With Wirtz in the mix, now Szoboszlai has to play wide,” Wenger stated.
The Frenchman didn’t hold back and added that if he were on the Reds’ bench, he would completely reshape the lineup. “If I were Arne Slot, I’d go back to last season’s midfield and play Wirtz on the left, giving him width in attack and freedom to move. But keeping him in the center has been a strategic mistake,” concluded the former coach of Arsenal’s “Invincibles.”
Liverpool Wins, but Wirtz Still Struggles
Wenger’s comments come just after Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 1-0 at Anfield in the fourth round of the Champions League. Although the win restored confidence for the English side, Wirtz once again went unnoticed. He barely influenced the game and was substituted in the second half without creating clear chances or showing the creativity that made him one of the most expensive signings of the summer.
Coach Arne Slot, meanwhile, preferred to highlight the team’s collective effort. “It was one of our best performances of the season. We could’ve scored more. Courtois was incredible — he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” he said.
However, the British press has already begun debating whether Wirtz truly fits into the new Liverpool system. His talent is unquestionable, but adapting to the pace and intensity of the Premier League seems to be taking its toll. Meanwhile, Wenger’s words reopen a debate Anfield hoped was behind them: was Florian Wirtz the wrong signing for the Reds?
Team Nigeria will today, Wednesday, March 25, 2026, depart the country for the Lefika International Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, as the nation intensifies its push to qualify for the World Relay Championships later this year.
The Nigerian contingent is scheduled to travel aboard Ethiopian Airlines, with a stopover in Addis Ababa before arriving in Gaborone on March 26.
At the competition, Nigeria will compete in four key events: the men’s 4x100m, mixed 4x100m, men’s 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m relays.
These races are crucial, as the country aims to secure remaining qualification slots for the World Relay Championships scheduled for May in the same city.
Nigeria’s women’s 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams have already booked their places at the global event, shifting focus to the other relay squads that must now deliver strong performances in Botswana to join them.
The delegation is led by top officials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, including President Tonobok Okowa, Secretary General Isreal Inwang, and Technical Director Gabriel Okon.
Team Nigeria boasts a blend of emerging talents and experienced athletes expected to make a strong impact.
Among those to watch are Enaruna Anita Itohan, Badmus Gafari Atanda, Ezeakor Chidera, Emmanuel James Taiwo, Ojeli Ifeanyi Emmanuel, and George Patience Okon.
Also named in the squad are Nathaniel Samson, Adeyemi Sikiru Adewale, Sampson Victor Ime, Godwin Tejiri, Andrew Jecinter Lawrence, Chukwuka Obi Jennifer, and Omokwe Maria Thompson, all of whom have been part of an intensive preparation programme.
The athletes have spent the last six weeks training in Asaba, where they focused on sharpening race strategies, perfecting baton exchanges, and building team chemistry ahead of the decisive qualifiers.
With the World Relays serving as a gateway to global competitions, expectations are high that Team Nigeria will rise to the occasion in Botswana and secure the remaining tickets needed to complete its relay lineup for the prestigious event.
Former captain of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, has said the big teams will begin to go home from the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
There have been no upsets so far at the tournament, with the final eight among the top 10 countries on the continent, according to the latest FIFA rankings.
However, they have all been paired against each other, for places in the semi-finals.
Hosts Morocco take on Cameroon, Nigeria are up against Algeria, Mali will play Senegal and Egypt have been drawn against Ivory Coast.
Oliseh, reacting to a post on X by BBC Sport broadcaster John Bennett, who noted that this AFCON has produced no major shocks heading into the quarter-final stage.
Quoting Bennett’s tweet, he wrote: “Spot on. So far, no huge surprises yet! But this is where it ends!”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has suggested why his team was defeated 2–1 by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.
Arteta watched as Aston Villa took the lead through Matty Cash in the first half.
But Arsenal fought back and equalised through Leandro Trossard in the second half.
However, a late goal from Emiliano Buendia ensured the hosts defeated the Gunners at Villa Park.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Arteta admitted it was painful to lose against Aston Villa.
According to him, Arsenal failed to have dominance and allowed open spaces in the second half, adding that they gave two balls away to the opponent.
“In the first half we had moments, obviously had the best chance after a foul on Riccy [Calafiori] that Watkins goes through,” Arteta said.
“In the second half we started really well. Scored a goal and we were really dominant.
“But then we had periods again where the same issue appeared and then we didn’t have the dominance and we allowed the open spaces, we gave two balls away ourselves to the opponent which could have cost us the game before actually the goal.
“Last kick of the game we have the chance with the cross from Declan for Noni and Viktor. We don’t score. Goal kick long, second ball, clear the ball, individual action. The ball comes inside the box and you end up losing it. It is painful.”
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