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Arsenal's Mikel Arteta: 'Santi Cazorla is not a diver'

Arteta defends Cazorla
© AP Photos
Mikel Arteta insists that his Arsenal teammate Santi Cazorla did not dive to earn the first penalty against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has defended teammate Santi Cazorla against accusations that he dived against West Bromwich Albion at the Emirates on Saturday.

Cazorla went down under a challenge from Steven Reid inside the Baggies' penalty area to earn a spot kick for the Gunners in the first half.

Arteta successfully converted the spot kick and scored another penalty in the second half to secure a 2-0 victory in the Premier League.

"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. I haven't seen the replay. Santi was saying that he felt something. The ref makes decisions, some right and some wrong.

"If there is a little [contact], it is contact. For me, it is not right to dive."

Arsenal are currently sixth in the Premier League table with 24 points from 16 matches.

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on the touchline against West Brom on December 8, 2012
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