Arsene Wenger has claimed Arsenal transfer target, Darwin Nunez, ‘couldn’t cope’ with the ‘physical power’ of Liverpool duo, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Liverpool secured a 3-1 win in Benfica, with Nunez scoring his side’s only goal, as they now face an uphill task in the second leg of their Champions League tie next week at Anfield.
Whilst Konate had a strong game overall, it was his mistake that led to Nunez scoring.
Following a cross from the right channel, Konate in clear line of the ball, got his feet muddled up, failed to clear and Nunez, behind him, pounced to tuck home.
That was the 22-year-old’s 28th goal in all competitions this term and a big reason why clubs like Arsenal want to sign the £51 million target.
Nonetheless, this is what ex-Arsenal boss, Wenger, made of his battle against Konate and Van Dijk yesterday, as he told beIN SPORTS.
“We spoke about Nunez before the game,” said Wenger. “That’s where you realise the physical power in the Premier League.
“What looks very quick in the Portuguese league suddenly when he was confronted with the pace and power of Van Dijk or Konate, he couldn’t cope.”
At the rate Nunez is going, he may well be coming up against Liverpool next season in the Premier League.
There are always a number of teams looking for that number nine and Arsenal, who are hoping for a return to the Champions League, are no different.
Yesterday’s game, and the one at Anfield next week, will give those interested parties a taste of what Nunez is like against some of the best.
There isn’t a centre-back in world football that has it all like Van Dijk, and whilst Konate made the error early in the second half, he is also one of the top defensive youngsters in world football.
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