Matt Jarvis admits he should have dived under Arsenal's Bacary Sagna challenge

By John Drayton

Published: | Updated:

Matt Jarvis has admitted he should have dived when Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna’s mistimed challenge seemed certain to earn West Ham a penalty.

The Hammers were sunk 3-1 at the Emirates, but could have earned a spot kick during the first-half when Sagna clashed with Jarvis in the box.

Taking a tumble: Matt Jarvis admitted he should have dived to win his side a penalty against Arsenal on Tuesday

Taking a tumble: Matt Jarvis admitted he should have dived to win his side a penalty against Arsenal on Tuesday

The defender failed to connect with the ball and hit the West Ham winger on his shins - Jarvis stumbled, but stayed on his feet - a decision he regrets.

‘I don’t really know what to say,’ said Jarvis told the Evening Standard.

‘Maybe I should be a bit cleverer and do what other players have done.

‘Perhaps then, I could have got the penalty. I thought about it too late and then, if I had gone down, it would have been a late dive.’

In where it hurts: Jarvis (left) gave West Ham the lead in their Premier League encounter at the Emirates

In where it hurts: Jarvis (left) gave West Ham the lead in their Premier League encounter at the Emirates

Short lived: Jarvis' (right) goal celebrations were cut short as Arsenal equalised four minutes later before eventually winning 3-1

Short lived: Jarvis' (right) goal celebrations were cut short as Arsenal equalised four minutes later before eventually winning 3-1

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