Mikel Arteta: Santi Cazorla is not a player who dives

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has defended Santi Cazorla after his compatriot was accused of diving against West Brom during Arsenal’s 2-0 win at the Emirates.

The former Everton player converted the first half penalty after Steven Reid was judged to have fouled Cazorla. Most fans and commentators said it was simulation, but Arteta defended his teammate.

He said: “I haven’t seen the replay. Santi was saying that he felt something. The ref makes decisions, some right and some wrong.”

He continued: “If there is a little [contact], it is contact. For me it is not right to dive. Santi is not a player who dives; he has taken a lot this year because of the way he plays and if he has done it because he felt something and changed direction.

"But he is not that type of player.”