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Wenger explains why Sancho ‘disappeared’ in Tottenham loss

Arsene Wenger was impressed by what he saw from Jadon Sancho in the first half of Dortmund’s 3-0 defeat to Tottenham on Wednesday night – but thinks he “disappeared” in the second half.

Spurs will travel to Germany next month with a commanding 3-0 advantage following second-half strikes from Son Heung-min, Jan Vertonghen and substitute Fernando Llorente at Wembley.

Dortmund were on top in the first half – with Sancho the standout performer for the Bundesliga outfit – but Spurs took control of the tie after scoring just two minutes into the second half.

And Wenger reckons the 18-year-old could still be struggling with some of the physical aspects of the game as he continues to progress.

“He disappeared,” Wenger told beIN Sports.

“When the game became more physical and he was beaten in many challenges. Maybe he is still not used to the physical intensity during 90 minutes.

“I think he was impressive in the first half but he lost that penetration instinct he has naturally.

“It didn’t come out with that at all in the second half.”