Wenger backs Van Persie over 'exaggeration' claim

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger yesterday defended Robin van Persie after the Dutch striker's controversial comments about exaggerating the impact of fouls.

Van Persie hit the headlines prior to Arsenal's 1-0 Premier League victory at Fulham on Saturday, in which he scored the only goal, for admitting that he deliberately makes the most of unfair challenges to attract the referee's attention.

The thorny subject of diving was raised recently when Van Persie's Arsenal team-mate Eduardo was given a two-match ban following an apparent dive in a Champions League game with Celtic in August, only for UEFA to subsequently withdraw the suspension.

Eduardo's antics thrust the integrity of Arsenal's players into the spotlight but Wenger does not feel that Van Persie deserves censure for his remarks.

"Sometimes when a striker is fouled, he wants to make sure the referee sees that, which is what basically Robin was talking about," said the Arsenal coach.

"He wanted to show there is a difference between what people call diving and being fouled.

"In fact, the television showed a great example of it at Manchester United when a penalty was not given when Patrice Evra fouled Van Persie 100 per cent.

"He had to go down, but when you go down, you make sure the referee notices you have been fouled."