Arsene Wenger’s statements after the group stage of the World Cup continue to make headlines. The last to talk about it is Norway’s coach Stale Solbakken, who attacked him accusing him of having changed his attitude…

Arsene Wenger’s statements after the group stage of the World Cup continue to make headlines. The former Arsenal coach of the Invincibles spoke to the FIFA technical study group and, in commenting on the results of the first phase, he also brought into play part of what happened away from the pitch.

In particular, the many criticisms made of Qatar for the management of workers’ rights and respect for human rights and diversity. In a sentence that caused quite a stir, the Alsatian underlined how perhaps some teams focused too much on what was happening outside the competition.

“When you go to the World Cup you know you can’t lose the first game. And the teams that have experience of tournaments like that, like France and England, played the first game well.

“And the ones that did well were the teams that were mentally ready, that focused on the competition and not on political demonstrations.”

Statements that have little football and that have created a series of controversies that continue to be heard. The latest to talk about it is Norway’s coach Stale Solbakken, who attacked Wenger on TV2, implying that his position within FIFA has changed his way of thinking.

“It’s chilling to see that one of the smartest men in the world, Arsene Wenger, one that so many have looked up to over the years, has somehow been brainwashed and is now making really stupid statements.

“It’s scary and it happens with a lot of people that football has given a lot of importance to. There’s a polarization process going on and I’m afraid things will only get worse.”

Certainly not very soft words for Wenger, which come from the coach of one of the national teams that has been most exposed, albeit without participating, in criticizing the World Cup in Qatar.