Walcott apologies for diving

Theo Walcott has apologised for diving to try and win a penalty in the closing stages of Arsenal’s FA Cup tie against Leeds on Saturday.

Walcott, 21, went down in the box after minimal contact from Leeds defender Paul Connolly in second half of the third-round match at the Emirates Stadium.

Referee Paul Dowd initially awarded the penalty, but changed his decision after consulting with his assistant.

Walcott then went on to win a penalty legitimately, which Cesc Fabregas converted to rescue a 1-1 draw and spare Arsenal an embarrassing exit at the hands of the Championship club.

“I want to apologise to the managers because I actually dived,” Walcott told Arsenal’s official club website.

“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.”

“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.”