The fall and falls of Arjen Robben: Bayern's most potent threat is also a cringeworthy cheat... as this diving hall of shame proves



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Let's try one of those tests that psychologists are so fond of: what words pop into your head when someone mentions Arjen Robben?

It should be the likes of 'skill', 'pace' or 'champion'. That's doubtful though. It's probably more like 'cheat', 'dive' or 'embarrassing'.

Robben is a wonderfully gifted footballer. Forget the overhyped Thomas Muller or the latest wunderkind Mario Gotze, the Dutchman is the most potent attacking threat in Europe's finest team. He has been since long before Pep Guardiola took the reins in Bavaria, firing Bayern to three out of the last four Champions League finals.



But Robben will never be a popular player because he is a shameless cheat.

No matter how many glorious goals he scores, no matter how much his trophy cabinet creaks at the seams, Robben will be forever associated in most football fans' eyes with simulated death rather than glory.

Watching Robben is like topping off a brilliant night on the tiles with a greasy kebab - your memory of most of the evening will be hazy but that bitter taste in the mouth will linger long into the next day.



Even Robben's own fans, team-mates and managers have been left furious at his behaviour. Robben left both Chelsea and Real Madrid under a cloud and Jose Mourinho gave him the nickname 'Arjen Faint Heart', despite the winger helping secure his first Premier League title.

VIDEO Scroll down to see some of Arjen Robben's most embarrassing dives

Robben goes to ground to win a penalty against Arsenal last month after contact from Laurent Koscielny

Deja vu: Robben had won another penalty against Arsenal just weeks earlier after making the most of a foul by Wojciech Szczesny. The Gunners keeper was sent off in a moment that changed the course of the game

Stumble and fall: Robben is brought down by Christoph Kramer of Borussia Moenchengladbach in January

And as for the opposition, let's leave it to Robben's latest victim, Arsene Wenger to sum up the feeling: 'Robben is very good at getting the maximum of nothing,' fumed the Arsenal manager after Robben earned two penalties against Arsenal in two Champions League last-16 legs last month. 'He is a great player, but also a good diver.'

Rafa Benitez went even further after Robben took a theatrical tumble after having his face touched by Pepe Reina in 2006, earning the then Liverpool keeper a red card.



'I am in a hurry because I must go to the hospital because the injury was so serious that maybe he (Robben) will be there for one week,' ranted Benitez after the match. 'But you can see on the TV that he will be three weeks in the hospital with the neck broken, I don't know.'

As a flying winger who tempts defenders into rash tackles, Robben is undoubtedly one of the most fouled players in world football. But even when the Bayern man beats an opponent his first thought is to go to ground, rather than play a pass or take a shot at goal.



Witness his hilarious dive for Bayern against Bochum in the Bundesliga in 2011. After skipping past a player's challenge and into a shooting position, Robben lands on his feet before taking another couple of steps and then launching himself onto the turf. You couldn't make it up.

Did you see that, Howard? Robben makes eye contact with English referee Webb, who gets a good look at his penalty appeal - but Spain keeper Iker Casillas gathers the ball cleanly in the World Cup final of 2010

Cry baby: Robben is fond of letting out a yelp as he falls over - as this effort against Nuremberg shows Real cheat: The Dutchman shows off his diving skills for Madrid against Valladolid in 2009 Going down: Arsenal's Kolo Toure sends Robben crashing to the turf during the Carling Cup final of 2007

Face it: Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina was sent off after Robben's theatrial reaction to having his face touched

Hold the pose: The then Chelsea winger holds his ankle in pain after another strong tackle

Up and under: Ashley Cole sends Robben flying through the air in the Community Shield in 2005 Up and under: Ashley Cole sends Robben flying through the air in the Community Shield in 2005

The 30-year-old Holland star's performances against Arsenal last month summed him up perfectly: he earned two legitimate penalties over two legs, but made the most of the contact to ensure Wojciech Szczesny was sent off at the Emirates Stadium and earn a late spot-kick at the Allianz Arena (which Muller made a mess of). Robben also attempted to win a penalty with a ludicrous dive after a challenge by Santi Cazorla, which again drew Wenger's fury.

Robben hit back at his critics, chiefly Wenger, after the match and attempted to justify his behaviour on the pitch. 'If you lose don't complain about silly things,' he said. 'It was two penalties but I don't want to defend myself.'



Should Robben win another penalty against Manchester United in Tuesday night's Champions league quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford, he may have to defend himself yet again.

Chances are he will have to, because Robben has won four penalties in this season's Champions League alone - double the number of his nearest challengers in this category, Barcelona's Neymar and Vladimir Weiss of Olympiacos.



Between 2009 and 2014, Robben has won more penalties than any other player. Lionel Messi and, surprisingly, Marouane Chamakh are his nearest challengers.



Were all of those penalties won fairly? A quick glance at Robben's hall of diving shame should help you decide, including possibly the best of the lot (below)...