Pires: I'm no diver

Arsenal winger Robert Pires has proclaimed once again he is not a diver - and insists his unflattering reputation is a result of his attempts to avoid another serious injury.

Pires was roundly criticised after he won a dubious penalty for Arsenal at home to Portsmouth earlier this season by making the most of the faintest contact with Dejan Stefanovic's foot.

The French international nevertheless believes he has been unfairly treated since then, maintaining he is "certainly not a cheat".

Pires insists that he is merely attempting to ensure that he does not suffer another serious injury, such as the one which ruled him out of action for seven months in 2002.

He said: "You always have to be careful. Nowadays, I anticipate the tackle. When I know that contact is going to be made I prepare myself and try to avoid it."

Asked if that is what has led some critics to label him a diver, he told Arsenal's official magazine: "Yes, that is true - but everyone thinks that all Arsenal players do is dive.

"They make a cinema out of it. There was the penalty against Portsmouth - but, for me, there was contact and therefore there was a foul.

"The referee blew his whistle because he thought there was a foul. I'm not a diver and I'm certainly not a cheat."

Pires believes he is starting to re-discover his best form after making a slow start to the season following the demands of taking part in the Confederations Cup tournament during the summer with France.

He has scored six goals this season, four of them since the start of November, and he rates his 25-yard strike against Liverpool at Anfield on October 4 as his best ever for Arsenal.

"I would have to put it first," he revealed.

"It was a good goal and an important one for the team because it meant we got three points against Liverpool - but it also kick-started my season.

"The start of the season was quite difficult for me. But I think that since missing the games against Manchester United and Newcastle in September, things have been going much better."

Pires, 30, is not looking beyond the three years left on the contract he recently signed at Arsenal, despite summer interest in his services from Chelsea.

"They contacted my agent and inquired whether I would want to go to Chelsea - but I feel better at Arsenal," he said.

"The most important thing was that when I spoke to (Arsenal vice-chairman) David Dein and the manager they had faith in me.

"I would like to play some more [after this contract ends], but at what level I don't know. What is more important is whether I play well in the three years that remain at Arsenal."

While Pires' immediate future is therefore secure, boss Arsene Wenger nevertheless has yet to decide whether to strengthen his squad during the January transfer window.

The Arsenal boss spent just £2million last summer, mainly on goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. But he must weigh up whether he can afford to depend solely on his promising younger players as back-up during the title run-in.

Wenger, who bought only goalkeeper Guillaume Warmuz on a free transfer last January, told the club's website, www.arsenal.com: "I don't know yet.

"I have no real target. I am not speaking to anybody about coming to Arsenal at the moment."