Arsenal 1-1 Leeds United : Walcott apologises for dive

• handbook

  9 Jan 11, 06:14

  Theo Walcott has apologised for diving to try to win a penalty during the closing stages of his side's third-round FA Cup tie against Leeds United at Emirates Stadium.

  

  Theo Walcott rues a missed opportunity against Leeds

  Walcott came off the bench in the second half as Arsenal were trailing to a spot-kick from Robert Snodgrass.

  Walcott found himself in the thick of the action as Arsenal pressed for an equaliser, and looked to have won a penalty after going down under a challenge from Paul Connolly. However, after consulting with his assistant, referee Phil Dowd changed his mind.

  Moments later, though, it was a penalty when Walcott was tugged back by Ben Parker - and captain Cesc Fabregas stepped up to fire past Kasper Schmeichel and earn a replay at Elland Road.

  Walcott issued a statement apologising for his actions.

  The 21-year-old said on the club's official website: "I want to apologise to the managers because I actually dived. I was trying to win the penalty.

  "I said to one of their players, 'Would you have done it?' and he said he probably would have. I am not the sort of player to do it, but I own up to it and apologise. It is something I don't want to see in my game."

  Walcott continued: "I have heard some players say, 'If there is a slight touch, go down' and it can work both ways.

  "It was one of those things. I am not happy with myself for doing that, but I am happy that we got the draw.

  "I had a little joke with the referee afterwards saying, 'That was my first dive, can you tell?'

  "I don't have to own up to it and I can't speak for other players, but I have just expressed how I feel. I hope people respect that."

   

  is he taunting leeds fans?

• zocoss

  9 Jan 11, 11:38

  

   

   

  THEO WALCOTT admitted he cheated to try to win a penalty against Leeds.

  The Arsenal winger DIVED in the box after a tackle by Paul Connolly in the FA Cup third-round clash.

  Walcott failed to win a spot-kick on that occasion. But he was fouled again in the area to earn his side an injury-time penalty that Cesc Fabregas converted as the Gunners nicked a 1-1 draw.

  England star Walcott, 21, said: "I want to apologise to the managers because I actually dived - I was trying to win the penalty.

  "I have heard some players say if there is a slight touch 'go down' and it can work both ways.

  "I am not happy with myself for doing that but I am happy that we got the draw.

  "I had a little joke with the referee afterwards saying 'that was my first dive, can you tell?'.

• The man who was death

  9 Jan 11, 19:15

  got apologise like never apologise like that....

• Zweiz

  9 Jan 11, 19:36

  so honest. unlike steven gerrard ;)

• Y_Shun

  9 Jan 11, 20:32

  Well at least he is honest.

• Rock^Star

  9 Jan 11, 21:22

  On the other hand , i felt his disgraceful act robbed leeds of a historic victory. Wonder what ken bates thinks about this lol.

• iceFatboy

  10 Jan 11, 14:53

  given he is so young, it is good to always apologies.

  u can't wait until tiger beer makes you the role model for their advertisements..

• The man who was death

  11 Jan 11, 00:59

  he is almost boasting about being honest, and he actually expects ppl to respect that he cheated??

  i didn't see luis fabiano being applauded for his honesty about his hand ball goal in the world cup....