Robert Pires played for Arsenal for six seasons

Robert Pires insists he did not bring diving to English football during his time in the Premier League with Arsenal.

The former Gunners midfielder, who won two league titles and three FA Cups with the club, says he has always respected opponents and that he never dived during his six years in England.

The issue of respect was put in the spotlight this week with Lionel Messi criticised for passing the ball to Luis Suarez at a penalty during Barcelona's 6-1 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored an incredible penalty during their emphatic win over Celta Vigo Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored an incredible penalty during their emphatic win over Celta Vigo

Danny Mills was furious when Pires and Thierry Henry attempted something similar in a game between Arsenal and Manchester City in 2005 but said he had no issue with Messi and Suarez doing it.

Pires said it was never his intention to disrespect City on that occasion, saying: "For Danny Mills it was hard to understand that you could actually take a penalty like that. Maybe he didn't even know it was allowed."

And Pires, writing in the The Times, also said he never disrespected anyone by diving during his Premier League years.

"I didn't bring diving to England," he wrote. "There was one controversy against Portsmouth, but there was contact.

Pires and Thierry Henry failed to pass a penalty between them in a game against Manchester City in 2005

"When you run fast with the ball and dribble, a slight touch from a defender or even movement towards you can unbalance you.

"I looked for a foul sometimes, I provoked the defender for sure and most of the time I dribbled past, but I never dived and have never intentionally disrespected anyone."