• Premier League

Wenger sorry for Cazorla dive

ESPN staff
December 9, 2012
Steven Reid accuses Santi Cazorla of diving © Getty Images
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has issued an apology for Santi Cazorla being awarded a penalty against West Brom, suggesting the Spaniard may come in for disciplinary action for going to ground too easily.

Cazorla helped Arsenal take the lead when he fell in the box following a challenge by Steven Reid, with replays showing there was no contact. Mikel Arteta converted the resulting penalty.

"I am sorry if it was not a penalty, but I have spoken to Santi and he said he was touched, lost his balance. Has he made a bit more of it? I don't know," Wenger said. "When he [a player] is touched, he goes down, the referee can give or not give the penalty."

Asked if he would speak to Cazorla if he felt there had not been contact, he added: "Of course. I will look at it, don't worry."

Arteta, who scored twice from the penalty spot during the victory, defended his team-mate and compatriot after the match, insisting that simulation is not normally part of Cazorla's character.

"Santi is not a player who dives," he said. "He has taken a lot this year because of the way he plays. If he has done it [is] because he felt something and changed direction. But he is not that sort of player."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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